Silverleaf whitefly is an insect of the family white flies.
Also known as:
Sweet po
Do not confuse with:
Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) belongs to the family white flies (Aleyrodidae). The silverleaf whitefly occurs worldwide and in Europe mainly in greenhouse crops. Silverleaf whiteflies can be found on tomatoes, beans, peppers, watermelons and cabbages. Flowers grown in greenhouses (chrysanthemums, poinsettias, gerberas) can also be affected. Leaves yellow and curl due to the extraction of mesophyl by flies.
The silverleaf whitefly can also transmit diseases, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV).
Where to find
-
- Green house
- Vegetable plot and ornamental garden
Control
Difficult to control. Remove infested plants. Spray with pyrethrum. The parasitoid wasp (commercially available) can also be used in greenhouse cultivation.
Prevention
The parasitoid wasp is a natural enemy and is used in horticulture in greenhouses to control the silverleaf whitefly.
Provide the windows with insect-proof mesh at greenhouses to keep the flies out.
Remove plant debris (especially that of tomatoes and gerberas).
