Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a species long present but never officially recorded in Canada

Abstract

AbstractTrialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is known to have been present in Canada since 1973. Despite this, the species has until now not been officially recorded; a surprising fact considering the close association of the species with economically important crops. The historic distribution expands from Mexico to southern New York and Michigan in the United States of America. In 2016, all life stages of T. abutiloneus were collected again on soybean (Glycine max (Linnaeus) Merrill; Fabaceae) plants grown in research greenhouses in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Specimens were morphologically and genetically identified to confirm their identity as T. abutiloneus. Thereafter, the barcode sequence for this species was also identified from the barcode of life data system, informing on the prior detection of this species from specimens collected at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada in 2012 during a barcode of life collection. Although this species is not considered a major pest on crops in Canada, it is related to other common pests within the same genus and can potentially transmit similar plant diseases. We provide the barcode COI sequence for the species, give an overview of the documented host range pertinent to Canada, and provide information concerning its natural enemies.