Invasive Annona Whitefly, Aleurotrachelus anonae Corbett (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): a New Record to India
- Indian Entomologist
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
Selvaraj K., Kavya Yadav G. A., Vasundhara J., and Darsana B
ICAR-NBAIR is entrusted with the monitoring and reporting of alien invasive insect pests in the country. Bureau has identified a new invasive whitefly, Aleurotrachelus anonae Corbett (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) for the first time from India. The pest was found to colonize on custard apple, Annona squamosa (Magnoliales: Annonaceae); cherimoya, Annona cherimola (Magnoliales: Annonaceae) and Indian shot, Canna indica (Zingiberales: Cannaceae) at Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts of Karnataka during July-August, 2024. Subsequently, distribution of this pest was found on A. squamosa in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and on A. squamosa and A. cherimola in Calicut, Kerala. Globally, this whitefly is under quarantine regulation and known for its economic importance for having many host plants (polyphagous).
This species is commonly known as annona whitefly, as they prefer to colonize on plants of the family Annonaceae. Identity of species was confirmed through their morphological characteristics. Further, identity of the species was ascertained through molecular characterization using the partial mtCOI gene (650 bp) (GenBank accession number for DNA sequences: PQ397348 & PQ425730) and the nucleotide sequences shared 99.63-99.64% similarity with the Aleurotrachelus anonae (HM150624) reported from Hainan Island, China. This finding is serious invasive pests alert from India and it also the first record of the distribution of this invasive species in India along with its natural enemies. Details about natural enemies are discussed in subsequent sections.
Damage Symptoms and Biology: Nymphs and adults of A. anonae colonize on the underside of leaves and suck sap which results depletion of nutrition and water resulting into yellowing and premature defoliation (Fig. 1). Owing to its feeding, moderate to severe sooty mould development was also observed. All the nymphal stages of A. anonae are light-coloured and not covered with white flocculent wax. The intensity and severity of infestation was 35-60%, 20-70% and less than 5-15% on custard apple, cherimoya and C. indica, respectively.
It was found that colonies of A. anonae coexist with invasive whiteflies viz., Bondar's nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari and nesting whitefly, P. minei and native whiteflies viz., breadfruit whitefly, Dialeuropora decempuncta and Aleurocanthus woglumi on custard apple and cherimoya (Fig. 2).
Biology and life stages of Aleurotrachelus anonae: Adult population prefers to colonize the terminal leaves and lay eggs. Eggs are stalked, initially creamy white and turn to dark brown before hatching. The nymphal stages are light-coloured to pale yellowish and not covered with white flocculent wax. They have three distinct blackish patches, one each on the anterior, posterior and mid-dorsal surfaces as horizontal stripes(Fig. 3). A. anonae is a distinct species but in some respect resembles recently invaded woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus which produces and is completely covered with white flocculent wax. Whole life cycle is completed in about 28-32 days.
Diagnosis characteristics: Diagnostic characteristics include whitish puparium, elongate, square-shaped marginal teeth and broadly separated with incision; eye spots absent; meso-, and metathoracic setae present; a longitudinal row of pores and porettes along lateral longitudinal fold present; rhachisform abdominal segments and lingula exposed (Fig. 4). The puparium is distinguished from all other known species of Aleurotrachelus species from India by its white colour except A. fici. It differs from A. fici by the lack of secretion of wax, sub-marginal band, and median tubercles and by the presence of a very short lateral longitudinal fold, a row of submarginal setae and meso- and metathoracic setae not extending beyond the margin.
Global distribution and probable pathways of introduction to India: A. anonae is well established in The United States of America (Florida, Hawaii & Washington DC), China (Hainan Island), Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Australasia, Malaya and Bangladesh on custard apple, Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) and many non-anonna plant species such as Mulberry, Morus indica (Moraceae), avocado, Persea americana and cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum (Lauraceae); swamp taro, Cirtosperma sp. and Elephant Foot Yam, Amorphophallus sp. (Araceae); Banana, Musa spp. (Musaceae) and Ginger, Zingiber sp. (Zingiberaceae). Besides, interception of this pest was reported in Korea and USA in agri-imports from Thailand and Indonesia. A. anonae might have introduced to India along with plant materials importation or and their produce. In India, so far its occurrence was noticed in Bengaluru Urban district of Karnataka; Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu and Calicut district of Kerala.
Occurrence of Natural Enemies in India: Survey also revealed the occurrence of two nymphal parasitoids, Encarsia sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Eretmocerus sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) with 5-10% natural parasitism and predator, Scymnus latemaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was observed in association with A. anonae colonies in India (Fig. 5). However, globally there is no record of any parasitoid/predator so far.
Economic Importance of India Agriculture: Apart from custard apple, A. anonae can infest several important fruit crops (bananas and avocados), tuber crops and several ornamental plants. A. anonae prefers to colonize on plants belonging to the family Annonaceae. If left unchecked, it could be a potential threat to many economically important crop plants in India. In USA, A. anonae is categorised as “A” rated pest organism which are known for economic importance, subject to enforcement action involving eradication, quarantine regulation, containment, rejection, or other holding action. Keeping in view of its quarantine importance, stringent vigilance and enforcement are required to contain its spread to other custard apple and host plants growing states in India.
Advisory for the Containment and Management:
• Domestic quarantine needs to be strengthened. Any plant material including ornamental plants should be thoroughly checked.
• Sensitize all the stakeholders on the invasion of this exotic whitefly in India along with probable list of host plants.
• Nationwide intensive survey may be initiated to monitor and determine its distribution in India.
• Avoid use of insecticides against the pest, as several natural enemies including nymphal parasitoids have been recorded which may also get affected. Hence, augmentation and conservation of these natural enemies is suggested.
Development of viable biocontrol approaches to tackle this invasive pest on custard apple and other potential host plants in India is the need of hour.
For further information, please check the following
Selvaraj, K., Yadav, G. A., Vasundhara, J., Sumalatha, B., Sundararaj, R., & Sushil, S. N. (2025). Record of the invasive annona whitefly Aleurotrachelus anonae Corbett (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from India. Current Science, 128(5), 512-518.
About the authors:
Selvaraj K*., Senior Scientist, Division of Germplasm Conservation and Utilization, ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India.
*Email: selvaentomo@gmail.com
Kavya Yadav G. A., Research Scholar, Division of Germplasm Conservation and Utilization, ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India.
Vasundhara J., Research Scholar, Division of Germplasm Conservation and Utilization, ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India.
Darsana B., Ph.D. Scholar at the ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India.
Disclaimer: The contents, style, language, plagiarism, references, mention of any products if any, etc., are the sole responsibility of the author
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