Aleurodicinae Aleyrodinae Udamoselinae †Bernaeinae Aleurodidae Whiteflies are Hemipterans that typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves.

The family often occurs in older literature as "Aleurodidae",[2] but that is a junior synonym and accordingly incorrect in terms of the international standards for zoological nomenclature.

The compound eyes themselves are rather remarkable: many have a distinct constriction between the upper and lower halves, and in some species there is a complete separation.

[5] Many insects' compound eyes are divided into functionally and anatomically distinct upper and lower regions, but the adaptation's purpose or origin in Aleyrodidae is unclear.

Once it has inserted its stylets into the phloem to feed, it settles down and no longer uses its legs, and they degenerate after the first ecdysis.

Some authorities argue that there is little functional, and no logically cogent basis for the distinction between the terms "larva" and "nymph".

[2][5] In warm or tropical climates and especially in greenhouses, whiteflies present major problems in crop protection.

Firstly, like many other sap-sucking Hemiptera, they secrete large amounts of honeydew that support unsightly or harmful infestations of sooty mold.

Efforts to develop environmentally friendly integrated pest management systems, with the goal of reducing insecticide use, aim to re-establish the ecological equilibrium of predators, parasitoids, and microbial controls that were once in place.

A major problem is that whiteflies and the viruses they carry can infect many host plants, including agricultural crops, palms,[16] and weeds.

Proper diagnosis of plant diseases depends on using sophisticated molecular techniques to detect and characterize the viruses and whiteflies which are present in a crop.

[19] In 2024, the locos Norte City Agriculture Office discovered cauliflower Aleyrodidae infestation in Laoag due to changing weather.

Whiteflies share a modified form of hemimetabolous metamorphosis, in that the immature stages begin life as mobile individuals, but soon attach to host plants.

The USDA recommends "an integrated program that focuses on prevention and relies on cultural and biological control methods when possible".

For effective use of biological method after application of pesticide, plant washing is advised prior to release of predators or parasitoids.

Early detection in combination with hosing or vacuuming of diseased portions as well as removal of any section that is heavily infested.

Pesticide use is not ideal in the case of controlling whitefly and widespread contamination can be costly; it is best to avoid this problem with aggressive preventive measures.

[25][27] Integrated management of whiteflies can as well be done using biopesticides based on microbials such as Beauveria bassiana (effective on larvae and adults) or Isaria fumosorosea.

Repeated application may be necessary and the eggs could be eaten before they hatch by their natural predators, such as ants or mature green lacewings.

Adults are often collected when in a dormant state in the wild and shipped for use in pest control; however, they may not stay in the location where they are released.

It is not yet clear, assuming that the effect is substantially of value, how readily pests in such circumstances might develop behavioural tolerance to such control measures.

[30] Zinnias, conversely, attract predators that consume whiteflies, including hummingbirds and predatory wasps and flies.

Other plants with a similar function include the hummingbird bush, pineapple sage, and bee balm.