Abstract:
The research was carried out to collect whitefly species infesting citrus plants in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of eight whitefly species viz., A. russellae, A. woglumi, A. spinosus, A. walayarensis, B. giffardi, D. citri, D. kirkaldyi and D. elongata were recorded from the pupal cases infesting different citrus verities. Of these, two species, A. spinosus A. walayarensis are new record for Pakistan. B. giffardi and D. elongate have been reported first time from citrus plants. Specimens of B. giffardi and D. elongata are elongate and elliptical in shape, but remaining six species are elliptical or oval in shape. These species differ in antenna, colour, size, margin, submargin, dorsal disk, transverse moulting suture, rachis, caudal furrow and vasiform orifice. Maximum whitefly population was collected from Faisalabad followed by Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan respectively. Shannon-Weiner Index value is maximum 1.89 at Sargodha followed by Faisalabad, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan and Layyah respectively. A key for the whitefly species attacking citrus plants in Punjab is also prepared.