Citrus Whitefly vs Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Citrus Whitefly Ant-Mimicking Treehopper
Scientific Name Dialeurodes citri Cyphonia clavata
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Aleyrodidae Membracidae
Size 1-2 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Orchards Forests
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Asia (native), North America, Europe, Africa (introduced) Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Citrus Whitefly

A small white-winged whitefly that is a common pest of citrus trees. Adults gather on the undersides of leaves, and heavy infestations promote sooty mold growth from honeydew.

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Did You Know?

It was one of the first insects to be successfully controlled by classical biological control, using the parasitoid wasp Encarsia lahorensis imported from Asia.

Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

A treehopper with a pronotal projection shaped like an ant sitting on its back. The ant mimic is thought to deter predators from attacking.

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Did You Know?

The "ant" on its back is actually a hollow extension of its pronotum viewed from certain angles.