Aleurotrachelus atratus

Aleurotrachelus atratus are small insects whose puparia have wax filaments that cover the bug in its entirety. A. Atratus are generally dark yellow with all four larval stages being black. Adult whiteflies are very small bugs with white wings. Females lay eggs on the underside directly onto plant leaves, and eventually, eggs become crawlers after 6 days. These nymphs remain on the same leaf for the rest of their development until they emerge as winged adults. This cycle takes about 3 weeks in favorable conditions, however, the whiteflies are able to survive in freezing temperatures. Identification of the species is best through mounted slides as most species of the whiteflies have very similar characteristics. The slides confirmed an elongated oval puparium with an entire dark cuticle, marginal teeth separated, rounded apices/ converging suntruncare,

Range and habitat. Originally Aleurotrachelus atratus was first reported in South America but new reports have been made in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa and in the lower parts of Asia. They are able to travel short distances by flying most reports are due to infected plants being brought into areas where there are no natural predators for the whitefly. Aleurotrachelus atratus prefer tropical habitats where coconut palms are cultivated. …