Silverleaf whitefly

Description:

The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, which is informally referred to as Sweetpotato or Silverleaf whitefly strain B) is one of several whiteflies that are currently important agricultural pests. The Silverleaf Whitefly is classified in the family Aleyrodidae, and is included in the large sub-order of insects, Homoptera. The Silverleaf whitefly was first found in the United States in poinsettia crops Florida during the mid-1980s. It was found to have moved to tomatoes, other fruit and vegetable crops less than a year later. Within five years, the Silverleaf whitefly had caused over $100 million in damage to the Texas and California agriculture industries. The whitefly thrives worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and less predominately in temperate habitats. Environments with cold temperature often lead to the mortality of both adult and larvae of the species.[3] The whitefly can be confused with other insects in its species such as the common fruitfly but with close inspection, the whitefly is slightly smaller and has a distinct wing color that helps to differentiate it from other insects.

Habitat:

Research indicates that the silverleaf whitefly likely came from India. Since the whitefly is predominately associated with areas exhibiting tropical/subtropical climates, the focus shifts to how these insects attained access to crops in habitats with temperate climates. One hypothesis suggests that the transfer of decorative plants from tropical regions may have aided in the spread of the silverleaf whiteflies to temperate environments.Whiteflies typically feed on the underside of plant leaves.

Notes:

Whiteflys in my poor sunflower.