Whitefly Research Articles

Succession and population dynamics of major insect pest of tomato in relation to weather parameters in Jabalpur region

The study was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Maharajpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during Rabi season 2020-21. The tomato crop in Jabalpur has been found to be affected by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii). The whitefly infestation began in the first SMW (vegetative stage) until the crop was harvested. While percent leaf infection of the leaf miner was documented in the 3rd SMW (vegetative stage). The per cent fruit damage of the fruit borer was reported in the 6th SMW (Fruiting stage) and persisted till the harvest of the crop. Relationship between the population of whiteflies and the weather factors showed that the number of white flies and the maximum temperature had a significant positive connection (r=0.560). The percent leaf infested by the leaf miner and maximum temperature had a substantial positive connection (r= 0.571). Percent leaf infestation was shown to have a substantial negative connection with morning relative humidity (r=-0.520) and evening relative humidity (r= -0.693). A significant positive correlation was observed between per cent fruit damage and temperature (maximum temperature (r=0.797) and minimum temperature (r=0.699)). A significant negative correlation was observed between per cent fruit damage of fruit borer with morning relative humidity (r= -0.560) and evening relative humidity (r= -0.697).

Occurrence and Identities of Insect Pests of Vegetables in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria

This survey was aimed at determining the occurrence as well as identifying the insect pests of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), amaranths (Amaranthus spp.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), green onions (Allium cepa), and cabbage (Brassica oleracae) grown in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, towards effective control and management. After giving informed consent, structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic data from the participants, including age, education level, and pest control strategy. Two vegetable farms were then selected, of which one was in the metropolis (labeled A) and the second was on the outskirts (labeled B). After visual counting of pests on the vegetables, they were captured with swoop nets, aspirators, and forceps, and then identified in the laboratory using hand lenses and identification keys. The results show that the vegetable farmers were middle-aged men with at least a secondary school education, and chemical application was the most widely used pest control measure in the area. Farm A had 127 pests, with Solanum lycopersicum accounting for 57 (44.88%), followed by Amaranthus spp. (23, representing 18.11%), Brassica oleracae (19, representing 14.97%), Lactuca sativa (18, representing 14.17%), and Allium cepa (10, representing 7.87%). Farm B had 101 pests, of which Solanum lycopersicum accounted for 44 (43.56%), followed by Amaranthus spp. with 22 (21.78%), Lactuca sativa and Brassica oleracae each had 13 (12.87%), and Allium cepa had 9 (8.92%). Aphids were the most predominant pests with 69 members, followed by hornworms with 32, thrips and pumpkin bees each had 27, cutworms had 26, and white flies had 24, respectively. Overall, the results showed that there is a heavy pest infestation of vegetables in Ikorodu. Farmers need to be educated on pest control and management.

Forecasting Cotton Whitefly Population Using Deep Learning

Agricultural is the primary source on which a country's economy depends. Pakistan is the world's fourth-largest cotton producer, making it one of its top cash crops. They can't figure out what sort of cotton is best for their climate because of government regulations, crop risks, and a low literacy rate among the general public and farmers. Using a model that considers temperature, this system attempts to describe the different types of plants. More than anything else, the pest's population is concerned with its diversity, how the weather affects its population, and when it is high or low. The primary purpose of this study was to develop a framework that can handle the complex process of the population of cotton white fly. Our main aim was to know the population of insects with their eggs and with their parents. And another purpose is to find out information about the variety with a low population of insects. To get early knowledge about the people against the temperature. So, cotton yield could be increased, and fewer chemicals should be used. Therefore, farmers' income could be improved. So, we will make the best model for predicting whiteflies on cotton ARIMAX. This model's accuracy was nearly on par with the statistical forecasting models. Because ARIMAX is a statistical model, it may also be used for forecasting.

Effect of fumigation with Nerium oleander leaf powder on the biological performance of the white fly, Bemisia tabaci.

أجريت تجارب حقلية في احد الحقول الزراعية بالقرب من منطقة الراشدية لأختبار تأثير التبخير بـ 2.5 ، 5 ، 7.5 غم من مسحوق اوراق نبات الدفلة Nerium oleander على الاداء الحياتي للذبابة البيضاء Bemisia tabaci للمدد الزمنية 10 ، 20 و 30 دقيقة داخل البيت الزجاجي . أشارت النتائج الى أن النسبة المئوية لهلاك الاطوار المختلفة تزداد بزيادة كمية المسحوق المبخر والفترة الزمنية للتبخير ، بينت النتائج بصورة عامة الى ان الطور اليرقي كان أكثر ألأطوار تأثراً تلاها الطور البالغ ، الحوري ، العذري و البيوض على التوالي . كذلك تم اختبار التأثير التراكمي لنفس الكميات المستخدمة والمدد الزمنية حيث وجد ان هنالك فروق معنوية في نسبة الهلاكات تحت مستوى احتمالية اقل من 0.05 لجميع التراكيز المستخدمة .

Evaluation of chilli genotypes and understanding biochemical basis of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) resistance

• Two resistant genotypes (IHR 4300 and IHR 4338) have been identified. • Cuticle thickness significantly negative correlated with adult survival, oviposition and nymphal population of whiteflies. • Higher concentration of phenolics and flavonoids are metabolic candidates for indirect selection of resistant genotypes. Whitefly is most devastating insect pest which causes damage by direct feeding on the host plant and also act as vector for transmission of many plant viruses causing severe yield losses in chilli. Host plant resistance is best advocated strategy in controlling the damage. We have screened the selected genotypes for white fly resistance using more accurate no-choice screening assays. Three types of assays i.e. clip-on-cage, detached branch and detached leaf methods of screening have been followed. Two resistant genotypes (IIHR 4300 and IIHR 4338) have been identified based on highest adult mortality, low oviposition rate, higher egg mortality and nymphal death. Cuticle thickness found significantly negative correlated with adult survival, oviposition and nymphal population. Semio-chemicals differing significantly amongst resistant and susceptible genotypes were identified through GC–MS and LC-MS and these can be used as metabolic candidates for indirect selection in screening genotypes/ populations for resistance. These two resistant chilli genotypes viz ., IIHR 4300 and IIHR 4338 can be explored for breeding for white fly resistance.

Species composition and population dynamics of some arthropod pests in cotton fields of irrigated and semi-arid regions of Punjab, Pakistan

The present study aimed to record seasonal dynamics and diversity of different insect pests in cotton agroecosystems. Two well-known cotton growing districts i.e. district Layyah and Vehari were selected for the study from the cotton belt of Punjab, Pakistan. Sampling was done bi-weekly for two consecutive years from July to October during 2018 and 2019. Sweep netting, visual counting, hand picking, wet finger method, beat sheets, aspirator and pitfall trapping methods were used for collection. Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices were used to compute diversity while Menhinick and Margalef indices were used for the estimation of species richness. A total of 94,343 individuals representing 43 species, 40 genera, 28 families and 6 orders were recorded. Family Aleyrodidae dominated over other pest families. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) of family Aleyrodidae was the dominant species with 39.68% share among all pest species. Estimated species richness of all arthropod pest species belonging to both districts were about 94%. The densities of pests fluctuated with time. The peaks of sucking pest densities were observed in July and August while densities of chewing pests peaked in late September or early October each year. Population densities of jassids Amrasca biguttula (Ishida), armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), and pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), showed strong negative correlation with temperature, humidity and rainfall while thrips population density showed positive correlation with these parameters. Minor loss due to pests are acceptable everywhere, but it is only possible when their populations remain below their economic threshold levels. Present study will aid to design pest management strategies in cotton growing areas round the globe.

Powdery Mildew Fungus Oidium lycopersici Infected-Tomato Plants Attracts the Non-Vector Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, but Seems Impair Their Development

The mechanism underlying the mediation of the behavior and fitness of non-vector herbivores by fungal pathogen-infected host plants is still unclear. In this study, we experimentally assessed the effects of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plant infection status on non-vector herbivores using tomato powdery mildew disease fungus (Oidium lycopersici) and the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum as a model multitrophic plant-pathogen, non-vector herbivore interaction. In behavioral bioassays, powdery mildew-infected plants (PM) and plants damaged by combined attack of powdery mildew and whiteflies (PMWF) attracted significantly more whiteflies (32.6% and 58.1% for PM and PMWF, respectively) than control (Con) plants (16.5%) or plants damaged only by whiteflies (WF) (24.2%). Whiteflies feeding on PM or PMWF plants secreted almost twice as much honeydew as on the Con or WF plants. This indicated that whiteflies fed more on diseased plants than healthy plants. However, the preferences and increased feeding did not increase the fitness and immature growth of T. vaporariorum, but significantly prolonged their immature developmental durations, compared with those of whiteflies that developed on Con plants or WF plants. The results showed that powdery mildew infestation attracted more whiteflies but reduced their development and fitness.

EXPERT SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING TOMATO PESTS AND DISEASES USING FORWARD CHAINING METHOD

Tomato (solanum lyco persicum) is a plant from the solanceae family, native to Central and South America, from Mexico and Peru. Tomatoes have a short life cycle and a height ranging from 1 to 3 meters. Currently, farmers often experience disturbances from pests and diseases of tomatoes due to a lack of knowledge. They do not know how to control it and to eliminate pests that reduce productivity. In identifying diseases in tomato plants we use the Forward Chaining method which is a description that starts from knowing the facts and then matching them with IF and IF-THEN rules. Diseases with a high prevalence in tomatoes are: fruit worms, earthworms, green aphids, white flies, fruit flies (bractrotera) and the diseases are: fusarium wilt, leaf spot disease, bacterial spot, fruit rot. This expert system application provides tomato disease information and disease diagnosis, including control solutions that can be used to reduce the risk of tomato crop damage
 

Use of Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae) as a means of biological control against Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Aleyrodidae)

Greenhouse whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, are very small sucker-whipper-type pests of the family Aleyrodidae. They cause considerable damage to greenhouse crops in the first order and show resistance to chemical insecticides. In this context, we dedicated this study to the control of this pest through the active ingredients extracted from the leaf and fruit part of the pepper tree, Schinus molle by inhibiting the chemosensory protein responsible mainly for capturing external stimuli in these polyphagous insects. By applying molecular modeling methods, including molecular docking, using software Molegro Virtual Docker version 2012.5.5.0, we tested the bioinsecticide potency of seven inhibitors. The results obtained show that the molecule beta- elemol is the best chemosensory protein inhibitor with a score of –82.6648 Kcal/mol and that it forms strong bonds with the active site amino acids of the protein.

Internet of Things Meets Computer Vision to Make an Intelligent Pest Monitoring Network

With the increase of smart farming in the agricultural sector, farmers have better control over the entire production cycle, notably in terms of pest monitoring. In fact, pest monitoring has gained significant importance, since the excessive use of pesticides can lead to great damage to crops, substantial environmental impact, and unnecessary costs both in material and manpower. Despite the potential of new technologies, pest monitoring is still done in a traditional way, leading to excessive costs, lack of precision, and excessive use of human labour. In this paper, we present an Internet of Things (IoT) network combined with intelligent Computer Vision (CV) techniques to improve pest monitoring. First, we propose to use low-cost cameras at the edge that capture images of pest traps and send them to the cloud. Second, we use deep neural models, notably R-CNN and YOLO models, to detect the Whitefly (WF) pest in yellow sticky traps. Finally, the predicted number of WF is analysed over time and results are accessible to farmers through a mobile app that allows them to visualise the pest in each specific field. The contribution is to make pest monitoring autonomous, cheaper, data-driven, and precise. Results demonstrate that, by combining IoT, CV technology, and deep models, it is possible to enhance pest monitoring.

Determination of Genetic Divergence Pattern of White Fly Resistant Cotton Cultivars by Using Microsatellite

Cotton is considered a cash crop in the agriculture sector, and whitefly infestation is one of the cotton crop's significant biotic stresses. This study aimed to identify whitefly Bemisia tabaci resistant cotton varieties that can be incorporated into a cotton breeding program to improve the cotton crop's quality, yield, and growth. In this study, we used 10 Microsatellite (SSR) markers for genetic diversity assessment among 50 genotypes of G. hirsutum. 58 loci were found by applying the NAU and BNL series primers. A maximum number of loci, eight, were amplified by SSR markers NAU-883, NAU-2714, and BNL-827, respectively. SSR marker JESPER-101 amplified a minimum number of the loci,i.e., 2. The PIC count ranged from 0.7215 to 0.8828, with a mean value of 0.4034. NAU 2161 displayed a maximum polymorphism value of 0.8828 and BNL 1672 showed a minimum polymorphism value of 0.4034. Cluster analysis grouped the 50 genotypes into four clusters. Cluster A holds 30 varieties. Cluster B includes 11 varieties. Cluster C had six varieties, and cluster D had 3. Genetic diversity is maximum in varieties NS-161, VH-307, and AGC-555, as they are located at the most significant distance in clusters. The SSR genetic profile for every cultivar made it conceivable to separate a few cultivars.
 To conclude, this investigation of the genetic divergence of cotton cultivars with SSR markers supports the need to bring new alleles into the genetic pool of the cultivars. It can help in assessing the best whitefly-resistant cotton variety. The information generated from diversity analysis studies will help in future breeding plans for improving the hereditary variety of cotton cultivars to fulfill the need for cotton development for various purposes.

Role of powdery mildew in the behavior of parasitoid: A case study using whiteflies and Encarsia formosa on tomato plants

The current study was conducted to assess the impact of powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici) on plant-non-vector herbivore-parasitoid interactions, e.g. tomato plants, whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and parasitoid (Encarsia formosa). Encarsia females were significantly less attracted to powdery mildew infected tomato plants (PM) than healthy plants (Con.). Thus parasitism rates of whiteflies (WF) were significantly lower on powdery mildew (PM) plants as compared to Con. plants (17.5:41.5%). These differences disappeared when E. formosa females were forced to parasitize whiteflies on either PM or Con. The performance of the parasitoid was not significantly influenced when developing on whiteflies feeding on powdery mildew infected plants. In olfactometer bioassays, either naïve or experienced parasitoids significantly preferred healthy plants colonised by whiteflies as compared to powdery mildew infected plants colonised by whitefly (PMWF) (30.0:10.0% for naïve parasitoids; 41.4:15.2% for experienced parasitoids). In wind tunnel bioassays, volatiles emitting from WFs significantly increased upwind oriented flight and landing in Encarsia targets as compared to any other treatments. Volatiles from Con, PM, PMWF and WF were collected and analyzed by GC and GC-MS, revealing that both qualities and quantities of volatile compounds differed to a large extend. Plants significantly increased volatile emission after being attacked by whiteflies (275.3 mol h−1) or infected by powdery mildew (267.58 mol h−1). However, plants significantly reduced volatile emissions in PMWF co-existing systems (80.58 mol h−1). Our results demonstrate that volatiles released by either herbivore damaged plants, pathogen diseased plants or combinations of these agents, respectively, may influence the foraging behavior of the parasitoids while searching for their hosts, resulting in reduced efficacies of parasitoids. This, in turn, may impact the outcome of biological control systems, especially in greenhouse conditions.

The insecticidal potential of neem extracts (Azadirachta indica JUUS) against whiteflies (B. tabaci) in tomato crops

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the main vegetables grown in Sinaloa. This crop is affected by pest insects, such as the white fly (Bemisia tabaci). The objective was to evaluate the effect of different doses of neem-based biorational insecticide on the population density of whiteflies. A completely randomized design was established to evaluate the population density of whitefly adults. The treatments evaluated were different doses of neem leaf extracts (NLE): (T1) control, (T2) 200 g NLE•L-1, (T3) 300 g NLE•L-1, (T4) 400 g NLE•L-1 and (T5) 500 g NLE•L-1. An analysis of covariance was applied to the data obtained and the difference between the means was evaluated using the Tukey test with an α=0.05. Neem extracts had an effect on population density (p≤0.05), by reducing the population as the concentration of the extracts increased. T5 presented the highest reduction with 43.56%±1.6, while T4 presented a reduction of 39.27%±1.7, compared to the control. However, the application of T5 causes damage to the plant, so it can be considered that T4 is more suitable for its application. Therefore, neem extracts had an effect in controlling the whitefly population.

An overview on the green synthesis and removal methods of pyridaben.

Pyridaben is an acaricide widely used around the world to control phytophagous mites, white flies, aphids, and thrips. It is highly toxic to nontarget organisms such as predatory mites, bees, and fishes. Therefore, the occurrence and removal of pyridaben in food and the environment are worthy of concern. This mini-review focuses on pyridaben residue levels in crops, aquatic systems, and soils, as well as the green synthesis and removal of pyridaben. During the period of 2010–2022, pyridaben was reported in monitoring studies on fruits, vegetables, herbs, bee products, aquatic systems, and soils. Vegetable and agricultural soil samples exhibited the highest detection rates and residue levels. One-pot synthesis offers a green chemistry and sustainable alternative for the synthesis of pyridaben. Among traditional home treatments, peeling is the most effective way to remove pyridaben from crops. Magnetic solid-phase extraction technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the adsorption and separation of pyridaben. Photocatalytic methods using TiO2 as a catalyst were developed as advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of pyridaben in aqueous solutions. Current gaps in pyridaben removal were proposed to provide future development directions for minimizing the exposure risk of pyridaben residues to human and nontarget organisms.

Phylogenetic, ecological and morphological characteristics reveal two new spider-associated genera in Clavicipitaceae.

Clavicipitaceous fungi are pathogenic to scale insects, white flies and other insect orders. However, a few species are spider-associated. Two new genera from China, Neoaraneomyces and Pseudometarhizium, are described based on phylogenetic, ecological and morphological characteristics. Two spider-associated species, Neoaraneomycesaraneicola, Pseudometarhiziumaraneogenum, and an insect-associated species Pseudometarhiziumlepidopterorum are included. The morphological characteristics of paecilomyces-like conidiogenous structures, present in many insect/spiders associated species make species-level identifications difficult. A phylogenetic analysis of the combined dataset (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF), placed the two new genera in Clavicipitaceae. The new spider-associated species may be the result of convergent evolution to adapt to the ecological environment and may have undergone host jumping or altered their nutritional preferences.

Insecticidal activity of oil-in-water emulsion formulations of essential oils against white fly, Bemicia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Insecticidal activity of oil-in-water emulsion formulations of essential oils against white fly, Bemicia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

The Role of Salicylic Acid Alone or Mixedwith Acetamiprid and Matrixine Plus in Reducing the Whitefly Population Density on Eggplant

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of the phytohormone salicylic acid alone or in combination with Acetamiprid and Matrixine plus in reducing the effect of the white fly, Bemisia tabaci, which is one of the important insects that infects the eggplant crop Solaum melongena L. The study showed that all tested concentrations of salicylic acid mixed with pesticides gave effective results after periods of treatment, and an increase in the efficiency of pesticides against the numbers of nymphs and adults of the insect and some growth characteristics of the eggplant crop when compared with the treatment with pesticides alone. This can be a good economic orientation for pest control by reducing the recommended rate and its reflection on the effects of environmental pollution.

The Adipokinetic Peptides of Hemiptera: Structure, Function, and Evolutionary Trends.

The Hemiptera comprise the most species-rich order of the hemimetabolous insects. Members of a number of superfamilies, most notably especially the more basal ones such as white flies, psyllids and aphids, belong to the most destructive agricultural insects known worldwide. At the other end of the phylogenetic tree are hemipterans that are notorious medical pests (e.g. kissing bugs). Most of the hemipteran species are good flyers, and lipid oxidation plays a pivotal role to power the contraction of flight muscles and, in aquatic water bugs, also deliver the ATP for the extensive swimming action of the leg muscles. Mobilization of stored lipids (mostly triacylglycerols in the fat body) to circulating diacylglycerols in the hemolymph is regulated by a set of small neuropeptides, the adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). We searched the literature and publicly available databases of transcriptomes and genomes to present here AKH sequences from 191 hemipteran species. Only few of these peptides were sequenced via Edman degradation or mass spectrometry, and even fewer were characterized with molecular biology methods; thus, the majority of the AKHs we have identified by bioinformatics are merely predicted sequences at this stage. Nonetheless, a total of 42 AKH primary sequences are assigned to Hemiptera. About 50% of these structures occur also in other insect orders, while the remaining 50% are currently unique for Hemiptera. We find 9 novel AKHs not shown to be synthesized before in any insect. Most of the hemipteran AKHs are octapeptides (28) but there is an impressive number of decapeptides (12) compared to other speciose orders such as Diptera and Lepidoptera. We attempt to construct a hypothetical molecular peptide evolution of hemipteran AKHs and find quite a bit of overlapping with current phylogenetic ideas of the Hemiptera. Lastly, we discuss the possibility to use the sequence of the aphid AKH as lead peptide for the research into a peptide mimetic fulfilling criteria of a green insecticide.

Study of the Efficacy of Moringa Leaf Extract as an Insecticide against White Fly and Aphids Insects

In this study, we demonstrate the effect of plant extracts on whitefly and aphid’s insects that are economically harmful to crops and plants in greenhouse. A laboratory experiment was carried out to study the effect of four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/l) of the alcoholic extract of the Moringa plant on whitefly and aphid’s insects. The results showed that the concentration of 3 g/l was significantly superior to the other concentrations used in the experiment, achieving percentage mortality rates of 95% in the nymph’s stage, where the account of insects decreased from 100 live insects before spraying to 5 live insects only after 72 hours of treatment with this concentration. In addition, the percentage mortality rate at the adult stage reached 91%, in which the counts of live insects decreased from 100 live insects before spraying to 9 insects after spraying with this concentration, where the rates of increase in the mortality efficiency rates reached at a concentration of 3 g/l compared to the other concentrations and at the nymph stage (13.09, 35.71, 50.79%), respectively, while the increase rates were at the nymph stage of aphids (16.25, 34.78, 47.61%), respectively. Whereas, the concentration of 0.5 g/l was the least effective in average efficiency of the concentrations used in the experiment in controlling the target insect, where it achieved a lower value of mortality rate, recording remarkable decrease, which reached at the nymphs and adults stages of whitefly and aphids insects (63, 60, 63, 61%), respectively. The chemical examinations for the detection of the plant extract content from the active compounds showed that it contains tannins, glycosides, phenols, resins, carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids and terpenes.

First record of the genus Acletoxenus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and its predaceous species A. formosus (Leow, 1864) in Egypt, with some field observations and biological remarks

BackgroundThe genus Acletoxenus (tribe Gitonini, subfamily Steganinae, family Drosophilidae) is a small widespread genus, comprising only four species worldwide, namely: Acletoxenus indicus Malloch, 1929, A. quadristriatus Duda, 1936, A. meijerei Duda, 1924 in addition to A. formosus (Leow, 1864), the species of the present study. The larvae of Acletoxenus spp. are known as predators of whiteflies.ResultsThe genus Acletoxenus and its predaceous species A. formosus (Leow, 1864) are recorded in the present study for the first time from Egypt. This species was found associated with the immature stages of the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, 1856 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) feeding on the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis L. which has been grown at the Plant Protection Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. The morphological diagnoses, in situ predatory behavior in the field and ex situ biological remarks in the laboratory were discussed.ConclusionThe predaceous drosophilid fly, Acletoxenus formosus (Leow, 1864), is recorded herein with its genus for the first time from Egypt as the second representative of the tribe Gitonini (subfamilies Steganinae, family Drosophilidae) in the country. The recording of this species in Egypt is of a great interest as it will encourage and lead to further research on different biological aspects. This drosophilid is a beneficial fly as its larvae are predators of immature stages of whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae) and it could be used as a potential biological control agent.