Aleurotulus nephrolepidis (Quaintance, 1900)

DISTRIBUTION. Wide and disjunct distribution, often under glass in countries with an unsuitable climate. Almost certainly a native of the Neotropics.

HOST PLANTS. Aspleniacae: Asplenium cuneatum, A. daucifolium, A. proliferum, Asplenium sp; Blechnaceae: Blechnum brasiliensis, B. occidentale, B. spicant; Cyatheaceae: Alsophila dregei; Dryopteridaceae: Ctenitis grandis, Cyrtomium falcatum,? Dryopteris sp., Rumohra adiantiformis, Tectaria aurita, T. confluens; Nephrolepidaceae: Nephrolepis sp.; Oleandraceae: Oleandra africana, O. articulata; Pteridaceae: Pteris biaurita, P. togoensis, Pteris sp.; Schizaeaceae: Anemia sp.; Thelypteridaceae: Christella dentata, Metathelypteris flaccida;?family: " Acrostichum capense " [an untraceable name].

COMMENTS. This, the most often encountered of the fern­feeding whitefly species, is frequently found colonising a wide variety of ferns, and is occasionally regarded as a minor pest in the glasshouses of botanic gardens.