Whitefly (Silverleaf Whitefly)

The world's most damaging insect pest complex, Bemisia tabaci is a species complex of over 40 cryptic species that attacks hundreds of crops and transmits over 300 plant viruses. It is the vector of devastating begomoviruses including tomato leaf curl, cassava mosaic, cotton leaf curl, and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus. Direct feeding damage (sap sucking, honeydew, sooty mold) is significant, but virus transmission is the primary economic impact.

Adults are tiny (1-2 mm) white-winged insects that fly up in clouds when disturbed. They rest with wings held tent-like over the body (distinguishing from greenhouse whitefly which holds wings flat). Nymphs are pale yellow, oval, scale-like, sessile on leaf undersides. Pupae have a characteristic palisade of waxy filaments.

• 1

  Gently shake a plant and look for small white insects flying up — whiteflies are unmistakable

• 2

  Check leaf UNDERSIDES for sessile oval nymphs and eggs

• 3

  B. tabaci holds wings tent-like (roof-shaped) — greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes) holds wings flat

• 4

  Yellow sticky traps placed at canopy height provide early warning of population buildup

• 5

  Look for honeydew shine and sooty mold on lower leaves as indirect evidence

• Clouds of tiny white insects flying up when plants are disturbed

• Yellowing and curling of young leaves (direct feeding damage)

• Sticky honeydew on leaves and fruit, followed by black sooty mold growth

• Virus symptoms: leaf curl, mosaic, stunting depending on which virus is transmitted

• Silver discoloration of squash fruit (silverleaf disorder from B biotype)

Whitefly (Silverleaf Whitefly) can attack 8 crop species.