Sugarcane whitefly

Sugarcane whitefly nymphs. Image ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources

  • Can cause significant yield loss.
  • Severe infestations may result in yield reduction of up to 65%.

Description and symptoms

  • Nymphs are oval shaped white to grey in colour and feed in groups on the leaves.
  • Adults are winged, dull white and 1-3 mm in body length.
  • Feeding causes leaves to appear pale.
  • The excretion of honeydew may support the growth of sooty mould.

Spread

  • Movement of infested plant material.

High priority pest of: Sugarcane

Scientific name: Aleurolobus barodensis
EPPRD Category: 3
Life Form: Stink bugs, aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies & hoppers (HEMIPTERA)

Pest Documents

FS: fact sheet

CP: contingency plan

DP: diagnostic protocol