Whiteflies

Whiteflies are small, 1/16 inch long, white, winged insects that suck sap from leaves of various plants including house plants, garden flowers, vegetables and weeds. The leaves of ingested plants may turn yellow, be twisted or stunted, wither and drop prematurely. Leaves also may be sticky with honeydew, a sugary solution excreted by the whiteflies. Sometimes a black fungus called sooty mold develops on the honeydew, and adds to the plant's problem by blocking out light and interfering with photosynthesis.

Whiteflies begin life as minute, virtually invisible eggs arranged in a semicircle on the underside of the leaves. These hatch into the crawler stage of the insect. Once the active crawlers settle down to feed they molt and become nymphs. Nymphs are stationary, light green, flat oval and with a fringe of short, white, waxy filaments radiating from the border of the body. Pupae develop from the nymphs and are similar in appearance, but have a few waxy filaments on their back.

Adults emerge from the pupae, and in about four days begin laying eggs. All stages of development may occur at the same time on the plant.

When an infested plant is shaken or disturbed, the adults will flutter from the plant but quickly resettle. The entire life cycle takes about a month.

Whiteflies cannot overwinter outdoors at our latitude, but can continue from year to year in greenhouses, and in the far south. Whitefly problems in gardens in Kentucky usually begin from infested transplants. House plants and garden transplants should be examined carefully for signs of infestation before they are purchased. If you miss detecting infestations at the time of purchase, begin chemical control treatments in the garden as soon as you notice an infestation. Because insecticides are not effective against immature stages of whiteflies, applications need to be made every four days to kill adults before they begin to lay eggs for the next generation. Up to 7 applications may be needed to bring well-established infestations under control. Also, eliminate weeds in and around the garden that may harbor infestations.

Common host plants include: Ageratum, Aster, Begonia, Calendula, Cantaloupe, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Coleus, Cucumber, Eggplant, Ferns, Fuschsia, Gardenia, Geranium, Gourds, Hibiscus, Lantana, Lettuce, Lupine, Mallow, Peas, Pepper, Petunia, Poinsettia, Potato, Primrose, Sage, Squash, and Tomato.

Insecticidal control can be difficult because the insect is resistant to most insecticides. Furthermore, egg and the nonfeeding pupal stages are generally not susceptible to insecticides that can kill adults and nymphs. Thus repeated applications are usually required.

Malathion is the most readily available insecticide for whitefly control, but rotenone and nicotine sulfate may also be used. Enstar, Knack, and Neem are insect growth regulators (IGR) that prevent whiteflies from molting correctly. Refer to the product label for permissibility of use on crops and directions for preparing spray solutions.

The most effective insecticide for whitefiles is imidacloprid. This has systemic properties and is usually used as a soil application, taken into the plant via the roots. It is not registered for most home grown vegetables.

Horticultural oils (e.g., SunSpray) are one of the most effective whitefly controls available for use on house plants. Applied as dilute sprays (e.g., 2 percent), they smother the immature forms and eggs. Other products effective against nymphs are neem-based insecticides and some insecticidal soaps. Because of the potential for plant injury, test them first on a few plants or on a small area of a plant. Adult whiteflies are usually best controlled with pyrethrins or various pyrethroid insecticides labeled for use on house plants (e.g., permethrin, tetramethrin, bifenthrin, resmethrin).

Azadirachtin / Neem

70% Neem Oil A broad spectrum insecticide, miticide, and fungicide that controls numerous diseases as well as insects. Use on vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, etc. A naturally occurring compound made from the neem tree that is grown in India.

• Broad spectrum insecticide/fungicide/miticide
• Controls insects and mites including whitefly, aphid and scale
• Controls fungal diseases including black spot, rust, mildew and scab
• For indoor/outdoor use on ornamental plants, flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and fruit & nut crops.
• Available in Pint

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• MSDS
  
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