Pink Wax Scale Whitefly vs Lesser Water Boatman
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pink Wax Scale Whitefly | Lesser Water Boatman |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aleurocanthus woglumi | Sigara striata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aleyrodidae | Corixidae |
| Size | 1-1.5 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Asia (native), Americas, Africa (invasive) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pink Wax Scale Whitefly
Known as the citrus blackfly, this whitefly has dark sooty-colored pupae that distinguish it from other whitefly species. Heavy infestations coat leaves in thick black sooty mold.
Did You Know?
It was successfully controlled in many countries using the parasitoid wasp Amitus hesperidum, one of the classic triumphs of biological pest control.
Lesser Water Boatman
A small water boatman with fine dark striations across its forewings. It is among the most abundant aquatic insects in European standing waters. It feeds by scraping algae and organic material from submerged surfaces.
Did You Know?
In Mexico, a related species' eggs are harvested in such quantities from lake surfaces that they are dried and sold as a traditional food called 'ahuautle,' once known as Mexican caviar.