Citrus Whitefly vs West African Lantern Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Citrus Whitefly | West African Lantern Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dialeurodes citri | Zanna tenebrosa |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aleyrodidae | Fulgoridae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 50-70 mm including head process |
| Habitat | Orchards | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Asia (native), North America, Europe, Africa (introduced) | West and Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Nigeria) |
| 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.
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.
West African Lantern Bug
A large planthopper with an elongated head process and colorful wings. The forewings are cryptically patterned while the hindwings display bright colors when spread. Despite its name, it does not produce light.
Did You Know?
The enlarged head process was once thought to glow in the dark, giving this group its misleading common name of lantern bugs.