Aleyrodidae

Definition

A family of small, sap-sucking hemipteran insects commonly known as whiteflies. Members of this family are placed in the superfamily Aleyrodoidea and suborder Sternorrhyncha, characterized by powdery white wax covering the wings and body, piercing-sucking mouthparts, and a life cycle that typically includes sessile nymphal stages resembling scale insects. The family includes more than 1,550 described species, many of which are significant agricultural pests.

Etymology

From the type genus Aleyrodes (Greek aleyron 'flour' + -odes 'resembling') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Bemisia tabaci (silverleaf whitefly) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly) are economically destructive Aleyrodidae species that vector plant viruses and cause direct feeding damage to crops worldwide.

Synonyms

• whitefly family

Related Terms

• Sternorrhyncha
• Hemiptera
• Aleyrodoidea
• Aleurodicinae
• Aleyrodinae
• Udamoselinae
• whitefly
• scale insect
• phloem feeder
• plant virus vector

Usage Notes

Aleyrodidae is the sole family in its superfamily, making it equivalent to Aleyrodoidea in scope. The common name 'whitefly' applies to the entire family, though some species lack conspicuous white wax. Nymphal stages are often mistaken for scale insects (Coccoidea) due to their sedentary habit and waxy coverings. In agricultural contexts, the family is frequently referenced by common name rather than scientific name.