Status of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting Ficus religiosa Linn. in India and their coexistence

ABSTRACT Ficus religiosa Linn. Commonly known as Peepal tree is found wild or cultivated nearly throughout India especially in vicinity of temples and is held sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. It is also planted as an avenue or road side tree and its various parts are used in traditional system of medicine. On this tree so far 12 species of whiteflies viz., Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, Aleuroclava complex Singh, A. grewiae Sundararaj and David, A. louiseae Sundararaj and David, Aleuroplatus alcocki (Peal), A. quaintancei (Peal), A. spina (Singh), Bemisia religiosa (Peal), Dialeurolonga maculata (Singh), Dialeuropora decempuncta (Quaintance & Baker), Pealius spinosus Jesudasan & David and Singhiella simplex (Singh) are known to breed in India. In our survey on whiteflies A. dispersus, A. complex, A. alcocki, D. decempuncta, and S. simplex were commonly found breed on F. religiosa in south India. 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