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WHITEFLIES
The adults are small white moth-like
flies, 1mm in length. Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves and
hatch in 8 days. Both newly hatched ‘crawlers’ and adults feed by
sucking the sap from the underside of the leaf. They also excrete
‘honeydew’ which causes problems with black sooty mould. After 4 nymph
stages they form a black pupa, visible as a small speck under the
leaves. Most species can complete a full life cycle in 20-30 days, less
in summer. Each adult female may lay 200 eggs. Egg laying increases in
warm weather. Whiteflies have no hibernation period and must have a
suitable host all year. Severe winters reduce numbers considerably.
Suggested Organic Strategies:
A parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa
is commercially available as a biological control.
Other predators include spiders,
ladybird larvae, lacewings, hoverflies and damsel bugs.
Sticky
yellow card traps are
useful at the beginning of the season
Vacuuming in the early morning when
whiteflies are cold and slow-moving with a small hand-held battery
operated vacuum is useful particularly for the adults before a great
deal of egg-laying is done. After vacuuming enclose the section of the
machine containing the bag with plastic and put in the freezer for 24
hours.
Companion plants e.g. nasturtium may
help to repel the pest.
More information on organic whitefly control.…
Suggested Products:
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