A review on rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in India

Abstract

India is agriculture based country and globalization has led to free agricultural trade which facilitated free movement of plant materials from foreign countries. In spite of strict quarantine laws, various insect pests, diseases and weeds have entered our country through accidental introduction. These newly introduced species pose threat to the biodiversity of the introduced area. A part from biodiversity threat, these introduced species are major threat to bio-security of our country. Further, these newly introduced species may outcompete the native species and capable of replacing the native species. This is mainly due to lack of their specific natural enemies in the newly introduced region. Many insect pests viz., eriophyid mite Aceria guerreronis, the cotton mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis, the papaya mealy bug Paracoccus marginatus, the eucalyptus gall wasp Leptocybe invasa have entered India. Recently, Rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioper­culatus Martin (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) had been reported from Kerala during 2016. This insect is native of Belize (Central America) and entered India. It is a polyphagous pest infesting coconut, banana, mango, jack fruit etc and the feeding by this whitefly cause stress to the plant by removing nutrients and water. Besides, it excretes a sticky, glistening liquid substance (honeydew), which provides an excellent substrate for growth of sooty mold. Presently, infestation of RSW increased over the time and spread across the southern states in India and extending its host ranges at greater level which could be due to its polyphagous nature. Considering these points, an attempt was made to review the biology, host range, nature of damage and management through biological control in detail as possible.