Spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus: exotic threat to Western Australia
Spiraling whitefly is not a fly at all, but related to aphids. Its name is derived from the silken spirals that the female produces when laying her eggs on foliage and fruit. Spiraling whitefly has a high reproduction and dispersal rate. Its recent introduction into northern Queensland poses a major threat to the banana, tropical fruit tree, vegetable and ornamental industries, and increases the risk of its introduction to WA. This factsheet covers the background, distribution, potential impacts, plants affected, season of occurrence and symptons of the spiraling whitefly.