1.Antenna- elongated, threadlike
2.Eyes- 2
3.Head- attached to thorax with stylet
4.Legs- 6
5.Wings- 2 pair
6.Thorax- wings attached
7.Petiole- none
8.Abdomen- round
9.Color- white
10.Other- many sizes in this family

Life Cycle
The cycle begins when the female adult Whitefly walks across the leaves and deposits characteristic waxy spirals on the underside. She then lays eggs among them. The eggs hatch into a nymph called a “crawler”, which then develops through three instars before reaching the adult stage. The nymphs create the familiar waxy filaments that coat the underside of leaves. Wind can move the new adults from plant to plant, but they prefer to stay grouped together inhabiting the lower surface of a particular leaf their entire life.

WHITEFLY

Both immature whiteflies and adults feed by siphoning the juices out of leaves. Over time, this can severely damage the plant. Common signs are leaf curl, yellowing, and early leaf drop.

Another byproduct of this feeding is a sticky substance called “honeydew,” which in turn creates a black fungus called sooty mold. Sooty mold fungus is not only unattractive, but will impede photosynthesis, which every plant needs. Many different species of whitefly exist, but their life-cycles are very similar.

A recent variety to arrive was the Ash Whitefly, which came from Mediterranean areas in 1988. It infests many fruit trees, has spread rapidly, and resists efforts at control and eradication. It has become a widespread problem.

The Greenhouse Whitefly also infests citrus and many potted plants. It leaves a fine filament of white strands on the underside of leaves instead of a waxy substance. The Silverleaf Whitefly and Banded-winged Whitefly are also problems. Both will infest ornamental plants.

The Woolly Whitefly attacks primarily citrus trees, leaving fluffy masses of white waxy material on the underside of leaves. It also produces honeydew which promotes the growth of black sooty mold.