Mar 19, 2019
#1379 - Aleurodicus destructor - Australian Coconut Whitefly
Another from Luna’s Facebook project.
Also known as Aleurodes albofloccosa. The white filaments are made of wax, secreted by the nymph.
Despite the common name, this insect has a wide diet, which makes it an even bigger potential pest if introduced to other parts of the world. It’s been found on Acacia (wattles), Annona squamosa (sugar apple), Cinnamomum, Coconut, Indian laurel, star gooseberry and black pepper) among others. It’s already found in SE Asia and parts of the Pacific, but it was probably already native.