The Avocado: Its Insect Enemies. 9 
THE AVOCADO WHITE PLY. 
A pest which attacks the avocado in Florida is the avocado white 
fly.2, It is much smaller than any of the white flies which attack 
citrus fruits, but is 
similar in habits. 
The adults (fig. 4) of 
this species average 
less than 1 millimeter 
(one twenty-fifth 
inch) in length and 
possess pale yellow 
bodies with white 
wings. This white fly 
may also be recog- 
nized on the foliage 
by the fact that the 
pup possess a char- 
acteristic fringe 
about the margin (fig. 
5). It is quite widely 
distributed in Florida 
and is to be found 
wherever avocados 
are growing. Ap- 
parently it is a na- 
tive insect and has 
adapted itself to the 
avocado as a host. It 
was first recorded 
from specimens re- 
ceived from Florida 
by Dr. A. L. Quaint- 
ance. At times the 
writer has collected it 
on various weeds and 
also from papaya, 
banana, guava, and 
annona. 
CHARACTER OF INJURY. 
Fig. 4.—The avocado white fly: Adults depositing eggs on 
lower surface of leaf. 
The avocado white 
fly is a pest both in the bearing grove and in the nursery, where 
it attacks the foliage and also produces honeydew in which the 
2 Trialeurodes floridensis Q. 
78334°—22-—-_9 
