Whitefly

Common: Greenhouse Whitefly

Scientific: Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Crop Hosts: Vegetable and ornamental crops.

Identification and Life Cycle: The female deposits more than 100 eggs on the undersides of leaves attached by a short stalk. On hatching, the flat, transparent nymphs settle on the leaf and remain in this situation until they become adults. After 28 to 30 days they form the four-winged, very active adult. Both males and females fly and feed on the underside of the leaves. They live for 30 to 40 days. Under greenhouse conditions, the generations overlap and all stages can be found on infected plants at any time.

Geographical Distribution: Found throughout the United States.

Damage and Treatment: Nymphs and adults suck sap from the leaves, resulting in plants with low vigor that can yellow and die.

Treatment should be made when insect populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific state thresholds.