The cabbage whitefly is 1.5 mm powdery gray-white fly, often found in large numbers on the back of leaves of cabbage plants, strawberries and weeds.
Do not confuse with:
Greenhouse whitefly
Cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella). This 1.5 mm powdery grayish-white fly is often found in large numbers on the back of leaves of cabbage plants, strawberries and weeds (shepherd’s purse). They suck at the mesophyll and secrete honeydew. Sooty mold often develops on these. The fly drops when touched.
Cabbage whiteflies hibernate on evergreen crops.
Where to find
- Kale
- White cabbage
- Sprouts
- Strawberry
Control
Remove buds and leaves on which cabbage whiteflies and eggs can be seen.
Control with pyrethrum, Insecticidal soap, soap suds, rhubarb spray or nettle spray. Spray the underside of the leaves.
Prevention
Insects netting keeps cabbage whiteflies away.
Remove the last cabbage plants from the vegetable garden at the end of autumn: this will prevent cabbage whiteflies overwintering on them.
The parasitic wasp (Encarsia formosa) is the natural enemy of the cabbage whitefly; create a border with annual flowers to attract parasitic wasps.
Keep the vegetable plot weed-free.
