Whiteflies

Aleyrodidae (Family), Greenhouse whitefly, Silverleaf whitefly

Whiteflies are tiny, moth-like insects that congregate in large numbers on the undersides of leaves. They are easily identified because they fly up in a white "cloud" whenever the plant is disturbed or shaken.

Like many other pests, they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to drain sap, which causes leaves to turn yellow, shrivel, and drop prematurely. They also excrete a significant amount of sticky honeydew, which can lead to black sooty mold and attract ants. Beyond physical damage, they are dangerous because they act as carriers for over 100 different plant viruses, which can kill a plant far faster than the feeding itself.

Variants

Foliar (Adults/Larvae)

While the adults are highly mobile and easy to spot flying around, the nymph variant is stationary and much harder to identify. These nymphs look like small, translucent, oval scales attached to the underside of the leaf. They do not move or fly, making them easy to overlook during a casual inspection.

Nymphs (Scales)

The adult variant, however, is the primary spreader of the infestation, moving from plant to plant with ease. To effectively treat whiteflies, you must address both the flying adults and the "scale-like" nymphs that are anchored to the leaf tissue.

Rehabilitation Instructions

  • Yellow Sticky Traps: Adults are highly attracted to the color yellow; place these near the canopy to catch the flying population.
  • Vigorous Water Spray: Use a hose or showerhead to blast the undersides of the leaves to dislodge adults and nymphs.
  • Vacuuming: For large infestations, some growers use a handheld vacuum in the morning (when flies are sluggish) to suck them right off the plant.
  • Insecticidal Soap or Neem: Thoroughly coat the undersides of leaves to smother the stationary nymphs.
  • Systemic Treatment: A soil drench is very effective here, as it kills the nymphs as they feed on the sap.

Care Products

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