Hobbies And Interests
Identification
All whiteflies are Hemipteras that come from the Aleyrodidae family. Most are only a couple of millimeters in length at their top size. They have four white wings that extend past the end of the body, as well as two antennae protruding from the head. The wings may also be slightly see-through and sometimes have a yellowish tint.
Life Stages
During reproduction, any number of eggs up to 400 may be produced. Contrary to humans, which produce close to 50 percent males and females, whiteflies instead produce closer to 67 percent females. The larva produced eventually turn into a pupa, ultimately spawning the adult whitefly. Total development time is two weeks to two months.
Problems
One of the main problems with whiteflies lay in their destructive habits. They commonly feed on plants due to their love of sap. They also commonly spread viruses through plant species. The threat of whiteflies has become so tricky in the realm of agriculture that care is taken to isolate any infected plants. Failure to do so can result in pesticide-resistant species.
Commonly Mistaken Species
It's not uncommon for certain alternative species to be thought of as whiteflies. Many winged insects can appear to have white wings, although at a closer glance, most will only have clear wings. Winged ants -- which occur in nearly every species of ants -- are commonly mistaken for whiteflies. They are usually slightly larger than a whitefly and have clear divided body segments. Termites are very similar as well, having clear wings and light-colored bodies; however, veins within the wings -- as well as their unequal length -- distinguish termites from whiteflies.