West African Lantern Bug vs Cabbage Whitefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | West African Lantern Bug | Cabbage Whitefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zanna tenebrosa | Aleyrodes proletella |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Fulgoridae | Aleyrodidae |
| Size | 50-70 mm including head process | 1-1.5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | West and Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Nigeria) | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Cabbage Whitefly
A small white-winged insect that infests brassica crops, weakening plants with sap feeding and honeydew production. Populations have increased dramatically in European cabbage and kale crops.
Did You Know?
Unlike most whiteflies, it thrives outdoors in cool temperate climates rather than in tropical greenhouses.