First record of the invasive woolly whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) from India

Occurrence of the highly polyphagous woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on guava (Psidium guajava L.) was recorded as invasive in India. The whitefly is believed to be neotropical origin but is now found throughout the warmer parts of the world. The identification of A. floccosus was done through taxonomic characters of puparium and reconfirmed by DNA barcoding of adult whitefly using partial (658 bp) mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene. This is the first report of the breeding of A. floccosus on guava in India. Identification details, diagnosis, symptoms of damage and impact of its infestation on guava and citrus are discussed.