Whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum
moderate risk
insect
Overview
Tiny white flying insects that are serious pests of greenhouses and warm-season gardens. Transmit plant viruses.
1.5mm, white powdery wings. Fly up in clouds when plants disturbed. Tiny oval yellow eggs on leaf undersides.
Prevention Strategies
- •Yellow sticky traps for early detection
- •Screen greenhouse vents
- •Inspect transplants before introducing to garden
- •Companion plant basil and marigolds
Control Methods
- •Yellow sticky traps
- •Insecticidal soap spray (direct contact required)
- •Neem oil
- •Pyrethrin spray
- •Parasitic wasp (Encarsia formosa) for biocontrol
- •Reflective mulch deters adults
Interesting Facts
- •Not true flies - related to aphids and scale insects
- •Can develop insecticide resistance within one season
- •Parasitic wasps are used commercially to control whiteflies in greenhouses
- •Silverleaf whitefly (B. argentifolii) is even more problematic and spreads over 100 plant viruses