Nesting Whiteflies

There is a new whitefly in town, the Nesting Whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari. This new pest has the potential to equal or better the damage the spiral Whitefly is causing. Most whiteflies are found on the leaf undersides. Nesting whitefly occurs on both sides of the foliage and causes even more severe production of black sooty mold and sticky surfaces on the roof, paving, furniture, cars, boats and anything else under the Nesting Whitefly. The host range will be similar to the Spiral Whitefly. Host plants include: citrus, Ficus, avocado, hibiscus, Surinam cherry, gumbo limbo, coconut, vanilla, banana, and guava so far. This pest was just discovered and is rapidly getting established. This Whitefly is 1/3 the size of the Spiral Whitefly. Nesting Whitefly activity looks like a circle of white feathers that is very noticeable against the black sooty mold. Another worry about this whitefly is that it is active during the winter cool months indicating greater hardiness.

This Nesting Whitefly is controlled the same way as the other whiteflies. Trunk injections or soil drenches using Imidacloprid systemic insecticide will give good control for 8-9 months or longer. Products like Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed and Ortho Max. Native predators are the best long term solution. Aleuroctonus vittatus, (Eulophidae) is a tiny predatory wasp that is especially effective against the Whitefly. This wasp will attack the Whitefly and is effective when populations of the Whitefly are high.

Unfortunately, most people are not aware that they have a whitefly problem until the situation is very severe with black sooty mold and stick surfaces.

Spiral Whitefly Natural Controls

Softscapes, Landscape for Living, recently released native ladybeetles, Delphastus cataliniae and native green lacewings, Chrsoperla carnea, and Chrysoperla rufilabris to feed on the highly invasive spiral whitefly which is causing great damage to both native and exotic trees and shrubs in South Florida. Pesticides kill both good and bad insects and affect our drinking water and health.

Ladybeetles are voracious predators and feed on whitefly, aphids, mites, insect eggs, scale and mealy bug. The release site should be thoroughly watered before releasing the ladybeetles in the evening.  Flowering plants that produce pollen are helpful. Ladybeetles will even eat honeydew. The results at Softscapes were amazing with ladybeetles going to work right away on the spiral whitefly.

Green lacewings are nocturnal predators feeding on whitefly, aphids, scale, and mealy bug The larval form are the aggressive predators. Eggs and adults are also available.

The spiral whitefly attacks many plants. Favorites include gumbo limbo, coconut palm, white bird of paradise, banana, and many others. I did notice that plants with fuzzy leaf undersides like silver buttonwood do not seem to be affected with this pest.

Softscapes is located at

19 SW 19^th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The phone number is 954-463-7404.