WOOLLY WHITEFLY ALEUROTHRIXUS FLOCCOSUS (MASKELL) (HeMOPTERA: ~LEYRODIDAE): A NEW INV ASIVE ALIEN INSECT PEST OF CITRUS FRUITS IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), is a
new invasive alien insect pest of citrus fruits recorded in Ethiopia in 2001 in Nazareth toWn. Woolly
whitplly was recorded in Ethiopia on all citrus fruits. The pest sucks phloem sap, causing leaves to wilt
and drop when populations are large. Honeydew droplets t:ollect dust and support the growth of sooty
mold. Heavy infestations where copious amounts of honeydew -are produced can result in the
blacJsening of the entire tree. Honeydew' and sooty .mold can also contaminate the fruit. The pest has
invaded Central Rift Valley starting from Dukem to Shashemene. In Western Ethiopia, the pest invaded
Ambo and &ko tQWnB. Pupal parasitoid, Cales noacki Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was
recorded on woolly whitefly. The description of woolly whitefly aided by pi~tures, its current status in
Ethiopia and some experiences in the managen .ent of the pest elsewhere are discussed in this paper.
More over, future research direction to solve the problem is indicated.