Tobacco Whitefly
Scientific group or name: Bemisia tabaci species complex
Overview
Tobacco whitefly is a major protected-crop pest and virus vector. It is part of a complex containing biologically distinct groups.
Host plants
Vegetables, ornamentals and many weed hosts.
Identification
Adults are small and white, holding their wings close to the body. Immature stages are flat and scale-like on leaf undersides.
Damage and symptoms
Feeding causes yellowing, honeydew and sooty mould. Virus transmission and resistance to insecticides make this pest especially important.
Lifecycle and favourable conditions
Warm climates and continuously cropped protected environments favour rapid multiplication.
Monitoring
Use yellow traps and inspect lower leaf surfaces for adults, eggs and immature stages. Confirm species where regulatory or programme decisions depend on it.
Management
Use clean plants, remove weeds and crop residues, exclude incoming adults and prevent movement between production zones.
Biological control and natural enemies
Eretmocerus eremicus, Encarsia formosa, predatory mites and predatory bugs may contribute within preventive programmes.
Biological control should be selected only after the pest has been identified and the crop, temperature, growing environment and pest pressure have been considered.
Related BioWiki pages
Whitefly · Eretmocerus eremicus
This page provides general integrated pest-management information. Identification and control decisions should be confirmed for the crop and local situation.