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The spotted lanternfly, despite its name, is not a fly but a type of planthopper native to China. Its preferred host is the tree of heaven, or Ailanthus, but it isn't picky—it can damage over 173 types of crops and ornamental plants. In its native habitat, parasitic wasps keep its population in check. However, in the United States, where it first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has become an invasive menace, spreading rapidly to 13 surrounding states. Interestingly, both tree of heaven and the spotted lanternfly are considered invasive species in several states, though they did not arrive together. Tree of heaven was introduced to the United States in 1784 as an ornamental plant. 

The spotted lanternfly thrives best on tree of heaven, and its preference for this host increases as nymphs mature into adults. The first three nymphal stages are black with white dots, while the fourth and final nymphal stage features striking red on the top of the

• Latin Name: Siphoninus phillyreae
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Ash Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Native to Europe and much of Asia and north Africa, but spread throughout the world on infested plants. As of 2008 it was still restricted to California, Nevada, and Arizona, but is likely to spread to many other states.

Biology:
This introduced pest is recorded from a great many ornamental trees and shrubs, including ash, catalpa, redbud, magnolia, tulip, lilac, citrus, hawthorn, Photinia, Pyracantha and apple. The adults produce filaments of white wax that they use to coat the lower surface of the leaf, giving that a powdery appearance similar to powdery mildew. Females deposit eggs in that circular pattern characteristic of several other species. These hatch to the mobile first instar nymph. As this moves to the

• Latin Name: Trialeurodes bellissima
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Bellissima Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Possibly native to the U.S. in oak woodlands.

Biology:
A close relative of the more important Greenhouse Whitelfy, this species attacks a much narrower range of host plants. While the greenhouse whitefly has been recorded from well over 300 different host plants the Bellissima Whitefly is known only from species of oaks, and is of little importance to the health of the tree. Females deposit up to 400 eggs in their lifetime, averaging about 25 eggs per day, in small groups that often are arranged in a circular pattern and usually on the lower surface of the leaf. Each egg is attached to the end of a short stalk. Nymphs are mobile in the first instar, but lose their legs become sessile and feed in one place

• Latin Name: Aleuroplatus coronata
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Crown Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Native to the southern U.S. and Mexico, and now a common pest on native oaks in the western states.

Biology:
Restricted to oak and chinquapin trees, and primarily evident in the western U.S. It is rarely a threat to the health of the trees, but large populations can reduce the aesthetic appearance by covering the lower surface of the leaves. Honeydew may be produced to drip onto surfaces below. Several generations are possible each year. Typical whitefly life cycle of eggs laid over the surface of the leaf hatching to the mobile first instar nymph. As this moves to the second instar the legs are lost and the insect becomes sessile, feeding in one place through the next nymph stages and the pupa.

Identification:

• Latin Name: Dialeurodes citri
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Citrus Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Native to India, but introduced to the U.S. in the mid-1850’s, and now found in warmer climates from North Carolina and along the southern tier of states to California, as well as throughout the world where host plants grow.

Biology:
At one time this was the #1 pest of citrus in Florida, but with the introduction of even more serious pests the whitefly now assumes a lesser status. Females deposit up to 400 eggs in their lifetime, averaging about 25 eggs per day and depositing them haphazardly and usually on the lower surface of the leaf. Each egg is attached to the end of a short stalk. Nymphs are mobile in the first instar, but lose their legs become sessile and feed in one place in the next nymph stages, covering

• Latin Name: Aleuroplatus gelatinosus
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Gelatinous Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Likely native to the western U.S.

Biology:
A western species found only on oaks, and of minor importance. Typical whitefly life cycle of eggs laid over the surface of the leaf hatching to the mobile first instar nymph. As this moves to the second instar the legs are lost and the insect becomes sessile, feeding in one place through the next nymph stages and the pupa.

Identification:
The pupa stage is the distinctive stage of this species. It is oval, flattened, and shiny black on top without any tufts or patches of white wax. There are 3 distinctive needle-like filaments of wax protruding from the margin of the body, 2 at the posterior sides and 1 in front. The name of the species

• Latin Name: Singhiella simplex
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Fig whitefly
• Other Names: Ficus whitefly

Origin:
Native to eastern Asia in China and India.

Biology:
This is a recently introduced species in Florida where it now attacks many species of ornamental fig trees and shrubs in the genus Ficus. The extremely heavy numbers of the insects feeding on the plants, sucking the sap with their piercing mouths, rapidly leads to yellowing of the foliage and eventually complete defoliation. Feeding is most often on the undersides of the leaves. Eggs are deposited on the leaves by the females and these hatch to the mobile crawler stage that moves about over the leaves and expands the problem. Once the crawler begins to feed it becomes immobile, exuding wax to cover itself at that spot. After several stages the adult whitefly

• Latin Name: Trialeurodes vaporariorum
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Greenhouse Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Uncertain, but currently found throughout the world in tropical and temperate climates, and considered likely to have a tropical origin. They were first discovered as a species in England in 1856, and subsequently in the U.S. in 1870 and Hawaii in 1907.

Biology:
A serious pest in greenhouses throughout the U.S., where the warm conditions allow it to reproduce year round. Females deposit up to 400 eggs in their lifetime, averaging about 25 eggs per day, in small groups that often are arranged in a circular pattern and usually on the lower surface of the leaf. Each egg is attached to the end of a short stalk. Nymphs are mobile in the first instar, but lose their legs become sessile and feed in one place in

• Latin Name: Aleurodicus dugesii
• Latin Family Name: Aleyrodidae
• Common Name: Giant Whitefly
• Other Names: N/A

Origin:
Likely native to Latin America, as it was first described from Mexico and is present south to at least Costa Rica. It was first discovered in the U.S. in Texas in 1991, in California in 1992, and east into Florida in 1996.

Biology:
In Florida the Giant whitefly is known to attack a number of ornamental plants, but is most serious a pest on Hibiscus. In California it has been recorded from dozens of different plant families. Upon hatching from the egg the first instar nymph tends to remain within the circles of eggs on the leaf surface, and as it moves to the next stage it loses its legs and feeds without moving. The third and fourth instar nymphs create the majority of the long wax filaments, and these often become