The adults are small, powdery insects with four white wings. Both the adults and immature stages are found on the underside of the leaves. If heavy populations develop, plants become weakened with less vigor. However, the presence of low numbers of whiteflies can reduce the marketability of many crops. Of these species, the recently introduced silverleaf whitefly is most difficult to control due to its higher reproductive rate and resistance to insecticides.
Proper identification is important in order to choose the most effective management option.
Specific pupal and adult characteristics can be used to identify the different species. The yellowish, silverleaf whitefly adults are slightly smaller than the greenhouse whitefly adults. Silverleaf whitefly adults also tend to hold their wings at a 45-degree angle close to their body. Adults of the greenhouse and banded winged whitefly look very similar. They can be distinguished by the two grayish bands that form a zigzag pattern across each front wing of the bandedwinged whitefly adult.