Rugose Spiraling Whitefly
This is the most common whitefly in our area of SW Florida. Symptoms include yellow mosaic disease, leaf curl virus, yellowing leaves, and silvering. If plants are shaken, the 4mm whiteflies are visible.
This is the most common whitefly in our area of SW Florida. Symptoms include yellow mosaic disease, leaf curl virus, yellowing leaves, and silvering. If plants are shaken, the 4mm whiteflies are visible.
The Lee County Extension Service suggests not being too worried about it since they have yet to find a plant that died from it. The whitefly lays eggs UNDER the leaf in a circular pattern. They pierce and suck sap from the leaf and excrete "honeydew". The honeydew is food for sooty mold and turns the leaves black. The honeydew can be messy on cars, walkways, boats... Power washing is recommended for its removal.
Organic home control includes: hosing off the underside of the leaves once a week until under control. Eventually the black from sooty mold will be removed. Insecticidal soaps and oils also help control both whiteflies and sooty mold.
lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/Rugose.pdf
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Ficus Whitefly
This is the worst whitefly in our area. Ficus leaves show dots on the back and leaves eventually drop off the plant. This whitefly does not excrete honeydew so there is no sooty mold. Damage to the ficus happens gradually and homeowners do not realize there is a problem until the leaves drop.
There appears to be no organic control for this and commercial pest control is recommended for treatment.
