Bemisia tabaci, commonly known as the sweetpotato whitefly, is an insect pest found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions. It sucks plant sap and excretes honeydew, transmitting viruses to over 400 host plant species. The whitefly has two biotypes - the cotton strain and poinsettia strain. It goes through egg, nymph, and adult stages in its 15-70 day life cycle, with females laying up to 300 eggs. The whitefly causes severe damage to crops like cotton and vegetables.