Diagnosing Whiteflies

Symptoms

Although tiny, whiteflies are clearly visible on plants, and you will easily be able to make an accurate diagnosis if these pests have infested any of your ornamentals -- just think “flying dandruff.” As the pests suck juices from plant leaves, buds, and stems the plants weaken, and the leaves turn yellow and die. Fruit and leaves may be covered with shiny, sticky honeydew, and a black sooty mold fungus may grow on the honeydew. Fruits may be undersized and poorly colored.

Trap A Few Culprits For Diagnosis

Yellow sticky traps, often used to control aphids, also attract white flies.  We offer a selection of aphid sticky traps in Yardener's Tool Shed; click here

Plants Affected

Fruits and vegetables attacked by whiteflies:

Food Crops
Avocado Cantaloupe Carrot
Citrus Cucumber Eggplant
Gourds Grapes Lettuce
Peas Pepper Potato
Sage Squash Strawberry
Sweet potato Tomato Watermelon
 

Ornamentals

Ornamentals attacked by whiteflies:

Food Crops
Avocado Cantaloupe Carrot
Citrus Cucumber Eggplant
Gourds Grapes Lettuce
Peas Pepper Potato
Sage Squash Strawberry
Sweet potato Tomato Watermelon
 

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