Whiteflies

Whitefly Facts

Whiteflies are insects that can greatly impact agriculture and spread disease, affecting food production all around the world when they feed. While they will affect food, their presence will also have an effect on the larger economy, costing farmers and consumers a lot of money by driving up food prices.

Whitefly Bites

Whiteflies are not known to bite humans, but they do have piercing mouthparts they use to extract fluids from plants. They are very similar to a mosquito.

Whitefly Life Cycle

The whitefly is a species that thrives in warm environments and cannot survive the cold. Females will lay yellow eggs in semicircles on the undersides of plant leaves that turn a darker shade over the course of 24 hours. After 5 to 7 days, nymphs appear and will flatten themselves against the leaves to start feeding. They will spend another week as translucent pupae that look similar to mealy bugs before they develop into full grown adults.

Most females will lay eggs in the late spring, and under the best conditions, they can lay up to 400 eggs over a two-month period, but usually much less. One generation of whiteflies will develop over three to four weeks.

These flies love plants, both indoors and outside. They will feed on vegetables and flowers, effectively killing them. If they occur in large groups, this is especially dangerous to farmers because their crops will be threatened. They can also affect potted houseplants if they are found inside.

Types of Whiteflies

Ficus Whitefly

Ficus whiteflies are between 1.4mm and 1.6mm with white wings and dark red eyes. Their wings have faded gray-brown markings. These pests lay their yellowish eggs on the underside of leaves along the vein in the middle. The early stages of this insect can be seen on both the top and bottom of leaves, which differs from other whitefly species. They primarily damage various species of Ficus plants and Rhododendron.

Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

Rugose spiraling whiteflies, at 2.5mm, are larger than other whitefly species in the United States and move more slowly. These pests have irregular faded brown bands on their wings and males have a pair of pincers at the end of their abdomens. They lay their eggs in a spiral on the underside of leaves, hence the name. The eggs are coated in a waxy, white material.

Whitefly Infestations

Whiteflies can’t handle cold weather, so they prefer warmer climates, greenhouses or inside your home. As long as it is warm out you’ll most likely find them underneath leaves out in your yard. Their nymphs attach to the plants and feed off them. They will do the same to your houseplants or any you bring in from outside when the temperatures drop. Whitefly infestations can spread quickly.