Research Projects

Whiteflies, also known as mealywing bugs, are small, inconspicuous, polyphagous insects with over 1500 species worldwide. In India, only 476 species under 65 genera are descripted and reported. 257 of these species are known from the Western Ghats, accounting for 77.17% of Indian and 16.51% of the world aleyrodids. However, the prevalence of whiteflies and their natural enemies in the Eastern Ghats is not extensively explored. This study aims to focus on whitefly species diversity and their natural enemies in the Western Ghats. The identification of whitefly species is mainly based on the fourth nymphal instar called "puparium." Recent understanding of whitefly puparial plasticity due to leaf surface nature, environmental factors, and other factors has brought several genera/species under serious scrutiny. This study aims to integrate morphological and molecular data to solve cryptic complex associated with whiteflies. The study also aims to digitalize type specimens and develop a user-friendly taxonomic database on Indian whiteflies and their natural enemies in the Eastern Ghats. This database will guide scientists, extension personnel, and farmers in identifying and managing whiteflies for early management measures.