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Greenhouse whitefly

Greenhouse whitefly, this snow-white aphid lays its eggs on the underside of leaves.

Do not confuse with:
Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

recognize Greenhouse whiteflies
Greenhouse whiteflies, photo: Gaucho - CC BY-SA 3.0

Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) This bright white aphid, 1 to 2 mm long, lays its eggs on the underside of leaves. Greenhouse whitefly is a member of the family of scale, scale and aphids. The larvae resemble scale insects, but are translucent. The larvae live on plant sap. They secrete honeydew that becomes moldy (sooty mold).
The greenhouse whitefly can also transmit various plant viruses.

Where to find

Control

Difficult to control. Remove infested plants. Spray with pyrethrum. The parasitoid wasp (commercially available) can also be used in greenhouse cultivation.

Prevention

Greenhouse whiteflies do not like drafts and a dry environment; some draft in the greenhouse on sunny days helps prevent whiteflies.
Some scents keep greenhouse whiteflies away, such as marigolds, basil and apple-of-Peru (Nicandra physalodes); plant these among plants in the vegetable garden and in the greenhouse.
The parasitoid wasp is a natural enemy and is used in horticulture in greenhouses to to control the grenhouse whitefly.
Provide the windows with insect-proof mesh at greenhouses to keep the flies out.
Remove weeds (because often host plants of the greenhouse whitefly) can maintain the infestation.

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