Whiteflies are tiny, white, moth-like insects which are related to aphids. Their bodies and wings are covered in a white powdery wax.
The silverleaf whitefly is virtually identical to the greenhouse whitefly, but is slightly smaller and the wings of the silverleaf whitefly do not quite meet over the body whereas the greenhouse whitefly overlaps its wings slightly.
The small eggs are laid randomly under the leaves, and are pale yellow turning a light brown when nearing hatching.
The nymphs look like scale, white or with a green tinge in colour. When the silver whitefly moults the skins are silvery, perhaps giving it its name.
Adult size: 1 mm