Invasive Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Complex and Diversity in Coconut Landscapes in Tamil Nadu1

Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., in Tamil Nadu, India, was invaded by four whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species between 2016 and 2019, increasing the total to six, along with Aleurodicus dispersus Russell Aleurocanthus arecae David Manjunatha. We examined complexity diversity of whiteflies coconut across different agroclimatic zones Nadu found high low damage levels at Veppankulam (70.4%) Rameswaram (11.0%), respectively. The rugose spiraling whitefly, rugioperculatus Martin, most dominant but effectively managed parasitoids Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani E. dispersa Polaszek, highest rate parasitism 83.8% Aliyar Nagar lowest (2.9%) Kanchipuram district. Bondar’s nesting Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi, have spread throughout Nadu. population A. rugioperculaus that P. higher Dharmapuri (28.6 31.1 adults/leaflet, respectively). All five invasive were only 7 34 locations—Coimbatore, Sirumugai, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Erode. minei Iaccarino Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel distributed northwestern zone adjoining western ghats Coconut plantations Sirumugai (western ghats) supported diverse collection whiteflies, 0.61 1.09 Simpson Shannon indices. Among 29 districts, Dindigul Theni districts showed Bray–Curtis Similarity Matrix. Butterfly palm, Dypsis lutescens H. Wendel, custard apple, Annona squamosa guava, Psidium guajava are hosts landscapes.