Whiteflies

4.Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci, biotype B)

Adult whiteflies are tiny, yellow insect with white wings. Whiteflies are mostly found underside of the leaves, and fly when the plants are disturbed.

Whiteflies on pepper leaf

Symptoms and damage

• Sticky honeydew; black sooty molds grow over infested leaves. • Attacked leaves dry out. • Plants growth blockage and leaves roll up. • Presence of black wax on the attacked parts.

Management

• Install yellow stickers to control the population of adult whiteflies. • Avoid application of broad spectrum pesticides at early stages of plant growth. • Consider treating transplants with imidacloprid at seedling stage. • Spray with oil based pesticides. Add stickers to increase penetration.