Whiteflies

New on the battlefield is the Q biotype whitefly which has resistance or reduced susceptibility to many insecticides. For more information on the new strain of whitefly, see the fact sheet at the link. The best site for current information and updates on Q biotype whitefly is the website developed by the Technical Advisory Committee.

Management:
Below you will find some information and links on the management of whiteflies.

Biological control (taken from the PNW Insect Management Handbook - Greenhouse Section last revised 11/02)

1. Delphastus pusillus

2. Beauveria bassiana (Naturalis-O). See label.

3. Encarsia formosa (parasitic wasp). The Encarsia wasp has been very successful in some greenhouses.

4. Eretmocerus eremicus

Chemical control (taken from the PNW Insect Management Handbook - Greenhouse Section last revised 11/02).

In all cases, follow the instructions on the pesticide label. The PNW Insect Management Handbook has no legal status, whereas the pesticide label is a legal document. Read the product label before making any pesticide applications.

1. azadirachtin (Azatin)

2. bifenthrin (Talstar)

3. cyfluthrin (Decathlon, Tempo)

4. diflubenzuron (Adept)

5. endosulfan (Thiodan)

6. fenoxycarb (Precision)

7. fenpropathrin (Tame)

8. imidacloprid (Marathon)

9. insecticidal soap (various trade names)

10. lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar)

11. novaluron (Pedestal)

12. pymetrozine (Endeavor)

13. pyridaben (Sanmite)

14. pyriproxyfen (Distance)

Links

ATTRA Greenhouse IPM: Sustainable whitefly control This site covers the basics in easily written language and has a strong emphasis on integrated management including good sections on biological control and the use of biorational materials and insect growth regulators.

USDA Whitefly Knowledgebase. This website has good information on the following species of whiteflies: bandedwing whitefly, greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly, and sweet potato whitefly; and a key to distinguish the above given various life stages. The management section covers many useful basics.

A Grower’s Guide to Using Biological Control for Silverleaf Whitefly on Poinsettias in the Northeast United States is a website designed by the University of Massachusetts Extension Service. It has extensive information on whitefly biology, biological control.

UC IPM Pestnotes website on whifeflies has one of the larger lists of the various whitefly species acting in ornamentals

Adult greenhouse whitefly
Photo: Ken Gray

Greenhouse whitefly eggs
Photo: Ken Gray

Photo: Ken Gray

Page last modified 8/13/07