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Faunal review of the whiteflies

of the Maltese Archipelago
(Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae)

ARTICLE · OCTOBER 2012

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 Bulletin of the entomological Society of malta (2012) Vol. 5 : 35-47

Faunal review of the whiteflies of the Maltese Archipelago

(Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae)
Chris MALUMPHY1 & David MIFSUD2

ABSTRACT. The whiteflies (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) of the Maltese Archipelago

are reviewed, including two Asian species, Aleuroclava jasmini and Dialeurodes
kirkaldyi that are recorded from Malta for the first time. Forty percent of the whitefly
species recorded from Malta are of non-European origin. A dichotomous key for the
identification of the puparial stage of the 17 species of whitefly now known to occur
in Malta is presented.

KEY WORDS. Aleuroclava jasmini, Dialeurodes kirkaldyi, Mediterranean, non-

native introductions.

INTRODUCTION

Whiteflies comprise a single family, Aleyrodidae, which currently contains 1,556 extant species in
161 genera (mArtin & mound, 2007). All whiteflies are phytophagous and have six developmental
stages: egg, four larval and adult. Many species are economically important plant pests, of both
outdoor crops and ornamentals, and of indoor plantings. Feeding by immature whiteflies reduces
plant vigour by depletion of plant sap, and foliage becomes contaminated with eliminated honeydew
on which black sooty mould grows, thereby reducing the photosynthetic area and lowering the
aesthetic appearance of ornamentals. Adults of a small number of species, most notably Bemisia
tabaci (Gennadius), are important vectors of plant viruses (Jones, 2003). Three species of whitefly,
Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, A. spiniferus (Quaintance) and Bemisia tabaci, are regulated within
the European Union.

The whiteflies of Malta were comprehensively studied by mifsud (1995), who recorded 12 named
and one undescribed species. Subsequently, the latter species was named Aleurolobus teucrii
Mifsud & Palmieri (mifsud & PALmieri, 1996), and two further species added: Aleurolobus olivinus
(Silvestri) by mifsud & PortA-PugLiA (2005) and Singhiella citrifolii (Morgan) by mifsud et al.
(2012). Two further species are added in this present work, making a total of 17 whitefly species
recorded for the Maltese archipelago.

National checklists are essential as baseline data from which faunistic changes, due to factors
such as international trade and climate change can be monitored and accurately assessed. Exotic
plant pests are regularly dispersed among countries as a consequence of trade, and due to the small
size of whiteflies, cryptic nature and immature stages firmly attached to the host-plant, they are
one of the arthropod groups most commonly transported. They are also among the most successful
groups in terms of invading new geographical areas (PeLLizzAri & dALLA montA, 1997; mifsud
et al., 2010; mALumPhy & BAdmin, 2012). Some species, such as Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes
vaporariorum (Westwood), have become cosmopolitan due to anthropogenic activities. Climate
change will also influence the distribution of whiteflies within Europe and the Mediterranean, as
1
The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom. E-mail: chris.
malumphy@fera.gsi.gov.uk
2
Department of Biology, Juinor College, University of Malta, Msida MSD 1252, Malta. E-mail: david.a.mifsud@
um.edu.mt
36 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD
species once restricted to more southerly latitudes are likely to expand their range northwards.
Milder winters mean that winter mortality rates of some species will decrease and they may start
breeding earlier in the year. Changes in regional faunas and phenology have implications for
agriculture and horticultural industries, and the environment.

The purpose of this communication is to update our knowledge of the whiteflies of the Maltese
Archipelago; report the presence of two non-native plant pests, Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi) and
Dialeurodes kirkaldyi (Kotinsky), from Malta for the first time; and to present a morphological key
to encourage the identification and recording of these insects in Malta.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Whitefly data were obtained from published records, and from samples of immature whitefly
collected in Malta and Gozo, mainly from woody ornamental plants in natural and urban areas
mostly in 2012. In several cases whitefly immatures were only detected when foliage was examined
in the laboratory, and were not seen in the field due to their small size and cryptic nature. Puparia
were slide-mounted following standard published methods (mArtin, 1987) and identified using the
diagnostic keys provided by mifsud (1995) and mArtin et al. (2000). The nomenclature used follows
mArtin & mound (2007). Slide-mounted specimens were deposited at The Food and Environment
Research Agency, York, UK.

Collectors are abbreviated as follows: CM - Chris Malumphy and David Mifsud - DM.

ANNOTATED LIST OF WHITEFLIES

ALEYRODIDAE

Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi, 1932)

(Fig. 1)

Material examined. MALTA: Qawra, 17.ii.2012, abundant puparia (some parasitized)

on Bougainvillea sp., (together with Dialeurodes kirkaldyi (Kotinsky)), CM; Vittoriosa,
16.ii.2012, abundant, more than 30 puparia per leaf, most vacated and some parasitized, on
Bougainvillea sp., CM.

Notes. Aleuroclava jasmini represents a new record for Malta. The species is native to Asia but
during the least two decades it has spread widely in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the
Caribbean, and South and North America. Within the Mediterranean, it is recorded from Egypt
(Amin et al., 1997) and Croatia (ŠimALA & miLek, 2008), although the status in the latter country
is uncertain. It is frequently transported with international trade (mALumPhy & Anderson, 2011).
It is polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to seven families. It is recorded as a pest in Egypt
and India, and was observed causing chlorotic spotting to Bougainvillea in Malta. The puparia
of A. jasmini are morphologically highly variable, particularly the development of dorsal setae,
submarginal tubercles and dorsal pigmentation. The majority of the puparia found in Malta have a
distinct pair of dorsal black spots, although these are frequently absent.
Whiteflies of the Maltese archipelago 37
Aleurolobus marlatti (Quaintance 1903)
(Fig. 2)

Recorded from Malta (Għar Lapsi, Valletta and Wardija) on Capparis sp. by mifsud (1995, as A.
niloticus Priesner & Hosny).

Additional data. MALTA: St. Thomas Bay, 1.x.2012, numerous puparia on Capparis sp.,
DM.

Notes. Aleurolobus marlatti occurs in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia, Africa and
Australia. It is broadly polyphagous, feeding mostly on woody plants (mArtin et al., 2000).

Aleurolobus olivinus (Silvestri, 1911)

(Fig. 3)

Recorded from Malta (Birkirkara, Blata l-Bajda, Għargħur, Gzira, Ħamrun, Mellieħa, Msida and
Ta’ Qali) on Olea europaea by mifsud & PortA-PuguLiA (2005) and hABer & mifsud (2007).

Additional data. MALTA: Mdina, 15.ii.201, puparia on Olea europaea, CM; Qawra, near
salt pans, 16.ii.2012, puparia and early larval-instars on O. europaea, CM; Zejtun, 1.x.2012,
puparia on O. europaea, DM.

Notes. Aleurolobus olivinus occurs widely in the Mediterranean (mArtin et al., 2000) but appears
to have been only recently introduced to Malta (mifsud & PortA-PugLiA, 2005). It is now common
throughout the archipelago but is of no economic importance. It is oligophagous on two plant
families, and is most commonly found on Olea and Phillyrea (mArtin et al., 2000). The puparia
of A. olivinus occur on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces, unlike the puparia of most whitefly
species which are usually restricted to the lower surface.

Aleurolobus teucrii Mifsud & Palmeri, 1996

(Fig. 4)

Recorded from Gozo (Għajnsielem, Xlendi Valley) and Malta (Mellieħa, Mistra) on Teucrium
fruticans by mifsud & PALmeri (1996).

Notes. This species is only known from the Maltese Islands and Sicily (Italy), and feeds exclusively
on Teucrium fruticans.

Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell, 1896)

(Fig. 5)

Aleurothrixus floccosus is widespread in Malta and Gozo and occurs wherever Citrus is grown
(mifsud, 1995).

Additional data. MALTA: Bugibba, 14.ii.2012, abundant on Citrus sinensis, CM (together

with Dialeurodes citri and Singhiella citrifolii); Mdina, 15.ii.2012, abundant on Citrus limon
and C. sinensis, CM (with D. citri); Vittoriosa, 16.ii.2012, sparse on C. limon and C. sinensis,
CM.
38 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD
Notes. Aleurothrixus floccosus is native to the Neotropical Region but is now found throughout the
warmer parts of the world, wherever citrus is grown. It is restricted to indoor plantings in cooler
regions, such as Northern Europe. It is broadly polyphagous, feeding on more than 20 plant families,
and exhibits a strong preference for citrus. It is a serious pest of citrus in the Mediterranean and
large populations were observed in the Maltese Islands. It is however, effectively controlled in many
citrus orchards by the introduced parasitoid Cales noacki (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
(Mifsud, 1995; Mifsud et al., 1995).

Aleurotrachelus rhamnicola (Goux 1940)

(Fig. 6)

Recorded from Malta (Wardija) on Rhamnus alaternus by Mifsud (1995).

Additional data. MALTA: Buskett, 1.x.2012, puparia on Rhamnus alaternus, DM; Buskett,
1.x.2012, puparia on Punica granatum, DM.

Notes. Aleurotrachelus rhamnicola is widespread in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and is
polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to eight families (Martin et al., 2000). Punica granatum
represents a new host-plant record for A. rhamnicola.

Aleyrodes proletella (Linnaeus 1758)

(Fig. 7)

Recorded from Malta (Baħrija, Girgenti, Manikata and Marsaskala) and Gozo (Għajnsielem,
Għasri and Marsalforn), on Brassica spp., by Mifsud (1995) and farrugia (1997).

Notes. Aleyrodes proletella is native to the Palaearctic but is now almost cosmopolitan in distribution.
It is broadly polyphagous, feeding on herbaceous plants in numerous families, showing a preference
for Cruciferae and Compositae (Martin et al., 2000). It is a pest of Brassica crops and has recently
become a minor pest of some glasshouse ornamental crops in Britain, such as poinsettia.

Bemisia afer (Priesner & Hosny 1934) complex

(Fig. 8)

Recorded from Malta (Buskett, Msida and Qrendi) on Ceratonia siliqua by Mifsud (1995).

Notes. Bemisia afer appears to be an assemblage of taxa which displays pronounced phenotypic
variation, most notably with the lengths of dorsal setae and with the development of dorsal
sculpturing that varies from granular elevations to star-shaped tubercles (gill & Brown, 2012);
Hernandez-suarez et al., 2012). The B. afer complex has recently been studied in the Canary
Islands (Hernandez-suarez et al., 2012) where extremes of morphological variation have been
encountered. Ten distinct puparial forms have been described, of which only two have been
named as new species, as it was considered prudent not to name them all until a more extensive
comparative study of populations from a wider geographic area was completed. The puparia of B.
afer most commonly found in the Mediterranean region, particularly on plants with smooth leaves,
exhibit relatively little variation, compared to B. afer puparia observed from the Canary Islands and
Sub-Saharan Africa. Bemisia afer complex occurs throughout the warmer parts of the world and is
found outdoors as far north as the north of England (MaluMpHy, 2003). It is a polyphagous feeding
on plants belonging to more than 50 families (evans, 2008; Hernandez-suarez et al., 2012).
Whiteflies of the Maltese archipelago 39
Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) complex
(Fig. 9)

Widely recorded in Malta, Gozo and Comino, on Brassica spp., Ficus carica, Helianthus tuberosus,
Euphorbia pinea, Jaccobina pohliana, Lantana camara, Ocimum basilicum, Solanum spp. by
mifsud (1995), fArrugiA (1997) and mifsud et al. (2012).

Additional data. MALTA: Qawra, 18.ii.2012, abundant, several parasitized puparia, on

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, CM.

Notes. Bemisia tabaci appears to be an assemblage of taxa with pronounced phenotypic variation,
similar to that shown in the B. afer compex. There is increasing biological and molecular evidence
to support the hypothesis that B. tabaci is a complex of cryptic species, and according to de BArro et
al. (2011) there are at least 24 morphocryptic species that are only distinguishable at molecular level.
Bemisia tabaci complex is native to the tropics but is now cosmopolitan. It is broadly polyphagous,
feeding on plants belonging to 80 plant families. It vectors more than 100 plant viruses (Jones,
2003) and is the most economically important whitefly pest in most parts of the world.

Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead, 1885)

(Fig. 10)

Recorded in Malta (Birzebbuga, Buskett, Zebbug and Zejtun), on Citrus spp. and Fraxinus
angustifolia by mifsud (1995). Also recorded from Malta by CAB (1996).

Additional data. MALTA: Bugibba, 14.ii.2012, abundant on Citrus sinensis (together with A.
floccosus and Singhiella citrifolii), CM; Floriana, St. Philip Gardens, 18.ii.2012, sparse on C.
sinensis, CM; Mdina, 15.ii.2012, huge population on C. limon and C. sinensis (together with
A. floccosus), CM; Qawra, 16.ii.2012, sparse on an unidentified shrub, CM.

Notes. Dialeurodes citri is native to Asia but is now found throughout the warmer parts of the world.
It is broadly polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to more than 30 families, with a strong
preference for citrus (mifsud, 1995; mArtin et al., 2000; mifsud et al., 2010). It is an economic pest
of citrus in parts of the Mediterranean.

Dialeurodes kirkaldyi (Kotinsky, 1907)

(Fig. 11)

Material examined. MALTA: Qawra, 17.ii.2012, abundant pupal cases on Bougainvillea

(together with A. jasmini), CM.

Notes. Dialeurodes kirkaldyi is a new record for Malta. This species is suspected to be native to Asia,
and is now found throughout the warmer parts of the World including the Mediterranean (Cyprus,
Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Portugal and Syria) and the Middle East (Iran). It is broadly polyphagous,
feeding on some 20 plant families, but its preferred hosts are Jasminum sp. (Oleaceae) and Morinda
citrifolia (Rubiaceae).
40 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

Figure 1: Aleuroclava jasmini; Figure 2: Aleurolobus marlatti; Figure 3: Aleurolobus olivinus;

Figure 4: Aleurolobus teucrii; Figure 5: Aleurothrixus floccosus; Figure 6: Aleurotrachelus
rhamnicola; Figure 7: Aleyrodes proletella; Figure 8: Bemisia afer complex; Figure 9: Bemisa
tabaci complex.
Whiteflies of the Maltese archipelago 41

10 11 12

13 14 15

16 17

Figure 10: Dialeurodes citri; Figure 11: Dialeurodes kirkaldyi; Figure 12: Singhiella citrifolii;
Figure 13: Siphoninus phillyreae; Figure 14: Tetraleurodes hederae; Figure 15: Tetralicia ericae;
Figure 16: Trialeurodes lauri; Figure 17: Trialeurodes vaporariorum.
42 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD
Singhiella citrifolii (Morgan, 1893)
(Fig. 12)

Recorded from Gozo (Victoria) on Ficus microcarpa by mifsud et al. (2012).

Additional data. MALTA: Bugibba, 14.ii.2012, abundant on Citrus sinensis (together with A.
floccosus and D. citri), CM.

Notes. This species is native to Asia but now found widely throughout the warmer parts of the world
including the Eastern Mediterranean (Lebanon, Morocco) and the Middle East (Iran) (mArtin, 2000).
It has been intercepted in the USA on Citrus imported from Albania (eVAns, 2008). It is broadly
polyphagous, feeding on more than 16 plant families, with a preference for Citrus (Rutaceae).

Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday)

(Fig. 13)

Recorded in Malta (Buskett) on Fraxinus angustifolia by mifsud (1995).

Notes. Siphoninus phillyreae is native to the Mediterranean Region (mArtin et al., 2000) and has
been introduced to Macaronesia, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Pacific Region, North America and
South America. It is polyphagous, feeding on more than 12 families, with a preference for Oleaceae,
Punicaceae and Rosaceae. It is an infrequent agricultural pest in the Mediterranean on apple, olive
and pear. In Egypt, it is the most important pest of pomegranate and has proved to be an important
pest of ash, olive, pear, pomegranate and woody ornamental plants in many areas where it has been
introduced (mALumPhy, 2010).

Tetraleurodes hederae Goux, 1939

(Fig. 14)

Recorded from Malta (Buskett) on Hedera helix by mifsud (1995).

Additional data. MALTA: Vittoriosa, 16.ii.2012, single puparium on Hedera helix, CM.

Notes. Tetraleurodes hederae occurs in France, Italy and Malta and is specific to Hedera spp.
(Araliaceae).

Tetralicia ericae Harrison, 1917

(Fig. 15)

Recorded from Malta (Birzebbuga, Għar Lapsi, Manikata, Mosta and Selmun) and Gozo (Wied
tal-Lunzjata) on Erica multiflora by mifsud (1995).

Notes. Tetralicia ericae occurs widely in Europe and is oligophagous on Erica spp. (Ericaceae)
(mArtin et al., 2000).

Trialeurodes lauri (Signoret, 1882)

(Fig. 16)

Recorded from Malta (Buskett) on Laurus nobilis by mifsud (1995).

Whiteflies of the Maltese archipelago 43
Additional data. MALTA: Valletta, Upper Barrakka Gardens, 13.ii.2012, on Laurus nobilis
(abundant puparia causing chlorosis to foliage), CM; Marsa, Għammieri, 14.xi.2011, abundant
puparia on Laurus nobilis, DM.

Notes. Trialeurodes lauri occurs widely in the Mediterranean, developing on Laurus nobilis,
and less frequently on Arbutus andrachne, A. unedo (mArtin et al., 2000) and Myrtus communis
(mALumPhy et al., 2007).

Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood, 1856)

(Fig. 17)

Recorded in Malta (Zejtun, Birkirkara, Gnien il-Kbir, Zebbiegħ and Sliema) on Brassica sp.,
Fuchsia sp., Lycopersicon esculentum, Mentha spicata, Pelargonium regale, Phaseolus cf. vulgaris,
Solanum melongena and Ulmus canescens by mifsud (1995).

Notes. Trialeurodes vaporariorum is native to North America but is now cosmopolitan. It is one of
the most polyphagous of all whitefly species, and a vector of plant pathogenic viruses (Jones, 2003).

KEY TO PUPARIA OF WHITEFLY SPECIES OCCURRING IN MALTA

Adapted from mifsud (1995) and mArtin et al. (2000), with the additions of Aleuroclava jasmini
and Singhiella citrifolii.

1. Dorsal disc with elongate siphon-like setae .................................... Siphoninus phillyreae

_
Elongate siphon-like setae absent ...................................................................................... 2

2. Cuticle evenly dark-brown or black (parasitized puparia of some species, most notably
Trialeurodes vaporariorum, may be evenly black) ............................................................ 3
_
Cuticle pale, dusky or with variable dark brown to black patches ..................................... 7

3. Wide submargin separated from dorsal disc by a distinct furrow that extends around the
body, except for the posterior abdominal segments ........................................................... 4
_
Submargin not separated from dorsal disc by a distinct furrow that extends around the
body ................................................................................................................................... 6

4. Outline subcircular; thoracic tracheal openings at margin marked only by a few minute
teeth which are much finer than remainder of marginal crenulations. On Oleaceae ............
............................................................................................................ Aleurolobus olivinus
_
Outline ovoid; thoracic tracheal openings at margin differently, or not, marked ............... 5

5. Thoracic and caudal tracheal openings at margin each marked as a comb of three teeth
modified from marginal crenulations, often appearing as a notch with a median tooth;
comma-shaped pale eyespots present ................................................ Aleurolobus marlatti
_
Thoracic tracheal openings at margin completely unmarked; caudal tracheal opening
indented, between caudal setae, marked as a comb of fine crenulations; eyespots absent ...
............................................................................................................. Aleurolobus teucrii
44 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD
6. Puparial margin broadly deflexed, with morphological true margin located in the
‘subdorsal’ zone of venter; body outline elongate oval, much longer than wide; inner
subdorsum without a pair of furrows. On Erica spp. ................................ Tetralicia ericae
_
Puparial margin not deflexed; body sub-oval; inner subdorsum with a pair of furrows,
concentric with margin, from thorax to abdominal segment II, that overlie the outer edges
of the legs. Not on Erica spp. ................................. Aleurotrachelus rhamnicola [in part]

7. Puparial outline distinctive, symmetrically laterally indented anteriorly and posteriorly,

giving a sinuous margin ..................................................................... Aleuroclava jasmini
_
Puparial outline not indented, unless plant hairs have forced asymmetrical indents ......... 8

8. Submarginal row of papillae present ................................................................................. 9

_
Submarginal row of papillae absent ................................................................................. 10

9. Middle and hind legs each with a pair of stout spines; papillae acute, those in submarginal
row contiguous ....................................................................................... Trialeurodes lauri
_
Middle and hind legs each with only tiny setae, often difficult to see; papillae more
truncate, often rounded apically, and those in submarginal row not contiguous ..................
................................................................................................. Trialeurodes vaporariorum

10. Tracheal notch or pore present; caudal furrow present ..................................................... 11

_
Tracheal notch or pore absent; caudal furrow present or absent ...................................... 13

11. Ventral parts of caudal and thoracic tracheal areas almost always smooth; head region not
defined by faint suture; 13-15 pairs of submarginal setae present ....... Singhiella citrifolii
_
Ventral parts of caudal and thoracic tracheal areas lined with spinules; head region defined
by faint suture, which may be difficult to see; 10-12 pairs of submarginal setae present ....
.......................................................................................................................................... 12

12. Median line of puparium often pigmented brownish (examine several specimens); first
abdominal setae present but very small; eighth abdominal setae opposite, or posterior to,
widest part of operculum ................................................................. Dialeurodes kirkaldyi
_
Puparium always pale; first abdominal setae absent; eighth abdominal setae anterior to
widest part of operculum ......................................................................... Dialeurodes citri

13. Subdorsal furrow present; margin with pronounced crenulations or regular teeth .......... 14
_
Subdorsal furrow absent; margin with fine crenulations ................................................. 16

14. Inner subdorsal furrows, concentric with margin, from thorax to abdominal segment II,
that overlie the outer edges of the legs; submargin with a row of small toothlike, conical
processes ................................................................. Aleurotrachelus rhamnicola [in part]
_
Subdorsal furrows extends from head to posterior; submargin without row of small tooth-
like, conical processes ..................................................................................................... 15
Whiteflies of the Maltese archipelago 45
15. Vasiform orifice small, elliptical; subdorsal folds often coming to a point over the head.
Not on Hedera spp. ....................................................................... Aleurothrixus floccosus
_
Vasiform orifice subcordate; subdorsal folds never coming to a point over the head. On
Hedera spp. ..................................................................................... Tetraleurodes hederae

16. Abdominal segment VII not significantly reduced in length medially, eight subequal
segments clearly visible between transverse moulting sutures and vasiform orifice ...........
............................................................................................................. Aleyrodes proletella
_
Abdominal segment VII significantly reduced in length medially, abdomen sometimes
superficially appearing seven-segmented between transverse moulting sutures and
vasiform orifice ................................................................................................................ 17

17. Caudal setae always stout, usually at least as long as vasiform orifice whose sides are
almost straight; vasiform orifice always inset from puparial margin by less than its own
length; with a single germinate pore/porette pair between median line and first abdominal
seta ................................................................................................ Bemisia tabaci complex
_
Caudal setae usually less than half length of vasiform orifice, often minute; vasiform
orifice, sides usually distinctly concave, and inset from puparial margin by at least its own
length; most puparia with a two germinate pore/porette pairs between median line and first
abdominal seta ................................................................................. Bemisia afer complex

DISCUSSION

Seventeen species of whitefly have been recorded from the Maltese Archipelago, of which 40%
are of non-European origin. Two Asian species are recorded here for the first time from Malta:
Aleuroclava jasmini and Dialeurodes kirkaldyi. Both species have spread widely throughout the
warmer parts of the world. Aleuroclava jasmini has been recorded from Croatia and Egypt, and D.
kirkaldyi is established in the Eastern Mediterranean, and has been recorded from Portugal. The
presence of these two species in Malta, at the centre of the Mediterranean basin, is therefore of
no surprise. Aleuroclava jasmini was found causing chlorotic spotting to Bougainvillea in Malta.
However, there is no published data showing that it is an economic pest in its native range and it
is unlikely to have a significant economic impact in Malta, although it may damage individual
ornamental plants. Dialeurodes kirkaldyi is a potential pest of citrus, but is likely to be less
damaging than D. citri, which is already widespread in the islands, and may be controlled by the
same parasitoids, and managed where necessary, using the same pesticides.

Three species of Asian whitefly were discovered for the first time in Malta during 2012: Aleuroclava
jasmini and Dialeurodes kirkaldyi (both reported here) and Singhiella citrifolii (mifsud et al., 2012).
smith et al. (2007) reported that plant trade, particularly of ornamental plants, accounted for 90%
of human-assisted introductions of non-native invertebrate plant pests in Great Britain. It is most
probable that recent introductions of non-native whiteflies into Malta have been through the trade
of ornamental plants, which are in continuous demand for private gardens and landscaping for
tourist developments. There are several other whitefly species present in the neighbouring island of
Sicily and whose host-plants are also found in Malta that have not yet been recorded from Malta.
These include for example Aleurotuba jelinekii (Frauenfeld), Aleuroviggianus adrianae Iaccarino
and Aleyrodes lonicerae Walker. The free movement of plant material within Europe provides a
pathway for the introduction of these, and other whiteflies, in the future.
46 C. MALUMPHY & D. MIFSUD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The first author would like to thank Isabel and Daniel Malumphy for helping collect whitefly
samples in Malta. We are also grateful for Edwin Lanfranco for identifying all plant samples, and
Jon Martin who reviewed the present work. We also thank Raymod Gill and Mladen Šimala for
providing the photographs of Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Tetraleurodes hederae respectively.

REFERENCES

Amin, A.h., emAm A.k. & heLmi, A. (1997) A new record on a whitefly species of the genus
Aleurotuberculatus (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on citrus trees in Egypt. Mededelingen Faculteit
Landbouwkundige en Toegepaste Biologische Wetenschappen, Universiteit Gent, 62(2a): 349-
354.
CAB (1996) Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead). Distribution Maps of Pests Map no. 111.
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Received: August 23, 2012

Accepted: October 10, 2012