Evidence for a new species of whitefly: UCR findings and implications

The whitefly that caused over $500 million in damage to U.S. agricultural production in 1991 initially was referred to as a strain of sweetpotato whitefly. New studies provide evidence that this whitefly is a distinct species, now referred to as silverleaf whitefly. The research leading to this finding and the recognition of this new species are critical to California agriculture and directly impact the search for management strategies against silverleaf whitefly.