Invasion of the palm infesting whitefly, Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Oriental region

Infestation of the highly invasive whitefly Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is reported for the first time from India as well as from the Oriental region. The pest was found colonizing coconut palm, Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae) and ornamental areca palm, Dypsea lutescens (Arecaceae) in Mandya and Mysore districts of Karnataka during February, 2019. Whitefly specimens were collected from infested palm plants and the identity of the species is confirmed by morphological characteristics. No parasitisation was observed but four species of predators viz., Dichochrysa astur (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Cybochephalus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Chilocorus nigrita and Jauravia pallidula (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were found feeding on this invasive species. The severity of the infestations and its impact on coconut as well as other crop plants in India is discussed.