The Greenhouse Whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Management in Africa and Beyond.

Abstract

Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are among the most destructive pests of vegetables and ornamental crops, causing severe yield losses through phloem feeding and virus transmission. Although historically most research has centered on Bemisia tabaci, the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum is rapidly emerging as a major pest across sub-Saharan Africa. Its spread in both open-field and protected cropping systems is linked to shifts in land use, climate variability, and intensified production systems. Furthermore, growing insecticide resistance to commonly used insecticides threatens existing control efforts. Despite these trends, T. vaporariorum has received comparatively limited attention. This review collates current evidence on its distribution, host range, economic importance, and genetic variation, while also examining both established and emerging management approaches. Moreover, it highlights critical research gaps and outlines priorities for future research, arguing for a renewed focus on this species as an increasingly important pest that demands more integrated and ecologically grounded solutions.