Homoptera: Aleyrodidae

Identification
• Adults are ¹/₁₆", white, actively flying insects. (a)
• Nymphs are clear, oval, and up to ¹/₁₆" long. (b)


Damage
• Nymphs and adults suck sap from the leaves causing reduced growth and stunting.
• Whiteflies excrete honeydew that makes leaves sticky and may support sooty mold growth.
• Whiteflies attack tomato, squash, and many other vegetables and flowers.


Management
• Yellow sticky traps will attract adults and can help keep numbers low.
• Spray with insecticidal soap or other insecticides.


Other Information
• Eggs are usually laid at the top of the plant, but nymphs tend to be most common on the undersides of lower leaves.
• Banded-winged whiteflies feed on velvetleaf (a weed), and may occur in large numbers in late summer in the garden, but cause little damage.