Whitefly

The Problem

Whiteflies are a major pest of vegetable and ornamental crops, causing damage that can lead to reduced yields. In addition to direct feeding damage, whiteflies secrete honeydew, which can attract other pests such as ants and encourage the growth of sooty mold.

How Does Whitefly Damage Your Crops?

• Whitefly larvae feed on plant sap, which contains sugar, and excrete the excess sugar as honeydew.
• In large populations, this feeding can stunt plant growth, causing leaves to deform, dry out, and fall off, negatively impacting fruit development and overall yield.
• The honeydew itself can further damage crops, leaving leaves sticky and covered with sooty mold, which reduces photosynthesis and transpiration and makes produce less marketable.
• Honeydew can also attract ants, which protect the whiteflies from natural predators, exacerbating the problem.