The cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella) is a species of whitefly from the Aleyrodidae family. It has a global distribution.
Adults are 1.5 mm in length. They have white wings with four gray spots. The wings are white due to a powdery wax. The head and thorax are dark, while the underside is yellow and also covered with a layer of wax. The eyes are red.
The species is a pest on various Brassica species (mainly Brussels sprout, kale, collard, cabbage and broccoli)[1] and Fragaria. It also feeds on various wild plants, including Capsella bursa-pastoris. It is found in colonies on the backside of leaves. They suck in the phloem of the leaves and pollute these by excreting honeydew, causing mold growth.[2]
There are usually four to five generations per year. The development of a generation varies from three to six weeks. A female can lay up to 150 eggs.