#@%&!!! Whitefly

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I did a little tree pruning on my Gumbo Limbo today. This tree is loaded with Rugose Spiraling Whitefly and it looked like it was snowing when I took down a few branches. These things really make your trees and plants ugly. They adults are eaten by wasps and dragonflies and birds but there is not a really efficient predator. The undersides of the leaves are covered in the spirally laid eggs and by juveniles. Any plant, roof or sidewalk underneath it is covered in black sooty mold. Yuck.

I cut up the branches and left the leaves on the ground. You can see how white they are with the whitefly.

Here is what they look like on the underside of this Psychosperma.

Here is the sooty mold on an Archie purpie and Sabal minor.

[Hammer]

I fight the same fight with whitefly on hibiscus. Really disgusting.

[Steve the palmreader]

I have found the best way to control these pest on palms is with a presure washer

[Gonzer]

Spray the undersides with water (high pressure) every 3 days for 11-14 days and that will kill off at least one life cycle. Been using this method on the Hibiscus at work for years and always get complimented by folks who suffer the Whitefly Woes.

[palmislandRandy]

A nearby friend called me yesterday requesting a little palm fert for his three Hyophorbs (2 bottles & a spindle). He said they were looking like crap. A couple of hours after picking up the fert he called saying they were covered up in whitefly, so not nutritional. I check almost daily & wash off any of those tell tale "white fingerprints". If they get wet they die. You have to stay ahead of them!

[Moose]

A nearby friend called me yesterday requesting a little palm fert for his three Hyophorbs (2 bottles & a spindle). He said they were looking like crap. A couple of hours after picking up the fert he called saying they were covered up in whitefly, so not nutritional. I check almost daily & wash off any of those tell tale "white fingerprints". If they get wet they die. You have to stay ahead of them!

I hate 'um

[spockvr6]

I have found the best way to control these pest on palms is with a presure washer

Steve-

Lazy mans chemical approach on my end.......

I started to see the whitefly infestation starting last year on PI. Rusty ID'ed in my yard and I started treating immediately.

Since then, every single palm in my yard gets a regular treatment with Imidacloprid and all the shrubs (lower in height stuff) gets Malathion regularly. This pretty much keeps my yard whitefly free. A few of my neighbors are infested......things like Coconuts look terrible. Imidacloprid works really really well, but its a bit on the expensive side. It costs ~$40 every time I treat my yard, which appears to be every five or six months though, so it's not too bad.

[fastfeat]

Any progress being made in establishing any predatory- or parasitic controls yet? Given the wide range of plant species favored by this pest, there is really no other way to expect meaningful reduction in its numbers.

When I left SoFla in 2010, it was just beginning to become established in Dade. When I came back in spring of 2012, I was amazed at the damage level (dead gumbo-limbos) and the loss of lustre of the once-sparkling foliar mass of black olives, gumbos, coconuts, Ptychosperma, etc now reduced to sticky white and black umbrellas of gloom overhead.

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Any progress being made in establishing any predatory- or parasitic controls yet? Given the wide range of plant species favored by this pest, there is really no other way to expect meaningful reduction in its numbers.

When I left SoFla in 2010, it was just beginning to become established in Dade. When I came back in spring of 2012, I was amazed at the damage level (dead gumbo-limbos) and the loss of lustre of the once-sparkling foliar mass of black olives, gumbos, coconuts, Ptychosperma, etc now reduced to sticky white and black umbrellas of gloom overhead.

Apparently, a lot of the natural predation of the different species of white fly(s) seems to be species specific, but i still intend to try every one i can find in the hopes of an adaptive response to the outbreak ...sometimes predators will take advantage of increased prey individuals.....

... at just under an acre of ground, i have way to many plants to treat with insecticide .... and at often only one day off a week i dont have the time to wash them either........

As soon as the weather is consistently warm i will try the natural predation..if i get any results i will share them...

Rusty

[gsytch]

A number of years ago, I had some in my yard. On begonias, some Justicia relatives, even on suckers of a tree. Once I saw it I went into action immediately as I knew it was the Giant Whitefly, and its reputation was horrible. I spent hours removing leaves, trashing in plastic, and spraying with Imaz...and continued this regimen every few weeks. While I am not whitefly free I am sure, I am not coming across them anymore, particularly since that really cold winter a few years ago. Occasionally I do see a few flying, but locate I cannot. I assume my neighbor(s) have some, although I have checked their yards and do not see any. I remain vigilant! Fingers crossed, too.

[Vicky]

They also seem to love our warm winter.

Vicky

[Mandrew968]

REMOVE THE GUMBO LIMBO. Do it or get used to the sooty mold and white fly!

[SubTropicRay]

The problem with chemical treatments is birds, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife dissapears too. The jet of water sounds like a better solution.

[Mandrew968]

The problem with chemical treatments is birds, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife dissapears too. The jet of water sounds like a better solution.

Only if the jet of water is strong enough to cut through the base of the tree... and ladybugs are one of the most beneficial creatures that are very sensitive to sprays and other poisons.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Just want to add that the Gumbo Limbo is right next to my well head and I really don't want to have to apply a drench every 6 months and have that accumulate in my water table.

[spockvr6]

How do you guys treat with a pressure washer when the palms are tall? Whiteflies seem just as happy to attack 30+ ft palms as 5 ft ones.

Not a wise @ss question......Im just curious as to how you get the water stream up that high.

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

REMOVE THE GUMBO LIMBO. Do it or get used to the sooty mold and white fly!

Unfortunately, Gumbo Limbo was simply a front line plant enabling rapid colonization...RSW has since greatly expanded it's host range, to the point that removal would be pointless.

[rick]

How do you guys treat with a pressure washer when the palms are tall? Whiteflies seem just as happy to attack 30+ ft palms as 5 ft ones.

Not a wise @ss question......Im just curious as to how you get the water stream up that high.

I'd love to hear anyone's solution as well. Ive been delaing with whitefly on my coconut for months. Soil drenches don't seem to be working and i can't figure out how to effectively spray all the way up there.

[fastfeat]

There is no efficient way to pressure-wash tall trees, nor enough imidacloprid on the planet to treat all infected plants. This is why biological controls are the only long-term solutions possible.

[redant]

There is no efficient way to pressure-wash tall trees, nor enough imidacloprid on the planet to treat all infected plants. This is why biological controls are the only long-term solutions possible.

This is the case for my yard, and I'm certainly not willing to turn my 2.5 acres into a toxic waste dump. Hoping mother nature kicks in soon.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Anybody heard of a parasitic fungus used in greenhouses to control whitefly? I saw an article about it a few days ago, I will see if I can find out more info.

[Hammer]

Anybody heard of a parasitic fungus used in greenhouses to control whitefly? I saw an article about it a few days ago, I will see if I can find out more info.

That sounds VERY interesting. Looking forward to what you are able to find and share.

[Stevetoad]

Anybody heard of a parasitic fungus used in greenhouses to control whitefly? I saw an article about it a few days ago, I will see if I can find out more info.

That sounds VERY interesting. Looking forward to what you are able to find and share.

Hey Adam. I had the same issue with my hibiscus. If you make a habit out of blasting the undersides of the leaves about once a week for about 2 months they go away. It's been over a year for me whitefly free. I still spray every once in a while just in case they star up again. Just make sure you spray UNDER the leaves not on top.

[Hammer]

Anybody heard of a parasitic fungus used in greenhouses to control whitefly? I saw an article about it a few days ago, I will see if I can find out more info.

That sounds VERY interesting. Looking forward to what you are able to find and share.

Hey Adam. I had the same issue with my hibiscus. If you make a habit out of blasting the undersides of the leaves about once a week for about 2 months they go away. It's been over a year for me whitefly free. I still spray every once in a while just in case they star up again. Just make sure you spray UNDER the leaves not on top.

Thanks Steve. I will try that. Both plants appeared as though they'd been sheered by electric clippers for years. Super dense and gnarly. White Fly heaven. I thinned them out and they look a ton better but the White Fly is still around.

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Anybody heard of a parasitic fungus used in greenhouses to control whitefly? I saw an article about it a few days ago, I will see if I can find out more info.

There is a mycoinsecticide called Botanigard that is listed for whitefly......i have not used it for that, but i have used it in my IPM program at work for thrips on orchids.....since i dint have to buy it i do not recollect the price, but i do remember it is quite expensive.

The product comes in an emusifiable suspension and WP....the suspension is unstable at higher temperatures....i switched to the WP, but both should be refrigerated during summer until use.

Rusty

[Hammer]

Sorry to have to bump this thread but...

I have tried and tried to use water to rid my hibiscus of white fly. It just isn't working. Any suggestions for ways to up the firepower?

I tried lady bugs. They all appear to have flown off.

I'm thinking of using a systemic. I'd like to find one that comes in a spike form. Any suggestions? I don't want to use a powder form or spray the leaves if possible. My dog spends too much time around that plant. I don't want to put her at risk.

Thanks, AGAIN, for the suggestions.

[LJG]

Google "CoreTech". Works like a charm and kills aphids. It is Imidacloprid in long lasting pellet form. Instant success can be had from malathion. In most cases a good spray kills them all they don't come back for about a year. If your Hibiscus is in shade or weak from some other issues, then this will happen indefinitely.

[Hammer]

Google "CoreTech". Works like a charm and kills aphids. It is Imidacloprid in long lasting pellet form. Instant success can be had from malathion. In most cases a good spray kills them all they don't come back for about a year. If your Hibiscus is in shade or weak from some other issues, then this will happen indefinitely.

Thank you.

[rsproule]

For a lasting (6 weeks) treatment of all stages of whitefly checkout Bayer Forbid 4F. The product is a translaminar, so it can be applied to the top of the leaf and it will travel through the leaf to kill infestations on the bottom of the leaf. Super expensive, but so far it's working for me. Also kills spider mites.

[Hammer]

As I mentioned previously in the thread, I have tried everything naturally available to eliminate these little *ers. And since my last post I tried everything again. Ladybugs, a sprinkler at the base of the hibiscus spraying water under the leaves, spraying with soapy water...no luck. The infestation seems to be getting worse. Others in my area have noticed a significant attack as well this year.

So I finally broke down. I bought a powder form of Imidacloprid and poured about 2/3 of it into two holes at the base of the plant and watered well. I'll let you know what happens!

[Moose]

Just heard this on Saturday. The University of Florida at their IFAS facility in Homestead; FL have found a small wasp that feeds on whitefly. Early testing has proven to be very positive. They are now "field testing" by introducing the wasp to the Village of Key Biscayne. This affluent island community became the selected test area after a generous grant to the University.

Will this wasp make its way to California? Perhaps with time, you know how sensitve the state is about anything that comes from Florida.

[Mats]

Just heard this on Saturday. The University of Florida at their IFAS facility in Homestead; FL have found a small wasp that feeds on whitefly. Early testing has proven to be very positive. They are now "field testing" by introducing the wasp to the Village of Key Biscayne. This affluent island community became the selected test area after a generous grant to the University.

Will this wasp make its way to California? Perhaps with time, you know how sensitve the state is about anything that comes from Florida.

It made its way to California 18 years ago...

Biological Control of Giant Whitefly source

The giant whitefly invaded the San Diego area in 1992. Since then it has slowly spread throughout San Diego County north to Santa Barbara. It is a serious pest of several ornamental plants including hibiscus. The San Diego Zoo has been particularly affected since they grow a large number of hibiscus as feed for many of their mammals. By chance in 1995, a parasitic wasp was discovered in Texas attacking the giant whitefly which just invaded that state. Entedononecremnus krauteri (Eulophidae) was immediately imported and released that fall at the Zoo and several other locations in San Diego County. The University of California, Riverside also imported two species of parasites found attacking giant whitefly in Central America. Entedononecremnus krauteri has slowly spread throughout the Zoo and has persisted at a number of other locations in the county. A second parasite was recently discovered by Mike Rose at the Zoo attacking the giant whitefly. Identified by John Heraty (UCR) and Greg Evans (University of Florida),Encarsia hispida attacks the early instars of giant whitefly, complementing the parasitism by E. krauteri. A commercially available beetle, Delphastus catalinae, was also released at the Zoo and at a number of locations in San Diego County. It too has persisted and appears to help control the giant whitefly in avocado trees.

[Zeeth]

Some species of whitefly has hit my yard in Sarasota but luckily only seems to affect a big oak tree that we have (unfortunately it's right above where we park our cars).

[palmmermaid]

I have them in my yard but I don't do anything. I don't use pesticides because they are indiscriminate, especially the imidiclopride varieties. I like the butterflies, birds, and other critters in my yard. I have several gumbo limbos and coconuts. They looked bad for a while but now the new growth looks good. I don't know what happened to the whiefly but it seems to have decreased many folds. My gumbos and coconuts are looking good again. It hasn't killed anything in my yard and we don't park underneath any trees.

[palmislandRandy]

Like Kitty, I have also seen a distinct decline of whitefly in my neighborhood. I don't know what to attribute it to, but I'm not complaining . Perhaps more home owners are treating for it or I can expect a surge with the upcoming cooler weather?

[spockvr6]

Google "CoreTech". Works like a charm and kills aphids. It is Imidacloprid in long lasting pellet form. Instant success can be had from malathion. In most cases a good spray kills them all they don't come back for about a year. If your Hibiscus is in shade or weak from some other issues, then this will happen indefinitely.

Ill echo the instant success with Maliathion idea. It works quickly. Im not sure about the keeping them away for a year part (at least here), but it definitely knocks them back immediately upon application. Ive been using the Imidacloprid soil application after the initial Maliathion application and it has 100% taken care of the problem. Unfortunately I think this whitefly infestation is one of those things that one must either ride out and hope your plants survive (it seems cyclical) or treat for (if the palms are too infested and look terrible), and then hope the treatments will only be needed for a year or two. I hate to say it (as I am not a big big fan of pesticides either), but on my street is is very obvious who uses some sort of chemical treatment and who doesnt. I suspect palmisland that the decline on your street is likely due to more and more people treating for it. As I understand it, its actually become a rather lucrative business.

[spockvr6]

Any further success with alternative whitefly treatments?

[fastfeat]

OK, who brought this one to SoCal?? Haven't seen any evidence in OC so far, but supposedly F. microcarpa 'Nitida' in Burbank being hit. Hold on folks...

Ficus whitefly establishes in SoCal

More here

[LJG]

I have seen this on my palms here. It doesn't seem be as profuse with infestation as giant whitefly can be.

[palmislandRandy]

Google "CoreTech". Works like a charm and kills aphids. It is Imidacloprid in long lasting pellet form. Instant success can be had from malathion. In most cases a good spray kills them all they don't come back for about a year. If your Hibiscus is in shade or weak from some other issues, then this will happen indefinitely.

Ill echo the instant success with Maliathion idea. It works quickly. Im not sure about the keeping them away for a year part (at least here), but it definitely knocks them back immediately upon application. Ive been using the Imidacloprid soil application after the initial Maliathion application and it has 100% taken care of the problem. Unfortunately I think this whitefly infestation is one of those things that one must either ride out and hope your plants survive (it seems cyclical) or treat for (if the palms are too infested and look terrible), and then hope the treatments will only be needed for a year or two. I hate to say it (as I am not a big big fan of pesticides either), but on my street is is very obvious who uses some sort of chemical treatment and who doesnt. I suspect palmisland that the decline on your street is likely due to more and more people treating for it. As I understand it, its actually become a rather lucrative business.

I've noticed a definite decline in some areas of Palm Beach. I've also had the same response from a few growers. I know the preserve area of my development is pesticide free & the white fly are all but gone. Maybe a predator finds these things tasty or are they cyclical?

Also watch out for mites, as the Imidacloprid has no effect on them, but kills the predators that keep them in check.