Catharine Mannion UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center Whiteflies in the Landscape

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1 Catharine Mannion UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center Whiteflies in the Landscape April 2011

2 Whiteflies Approximately 75 species of whiteflies in Florida. Common pests of many ornamental plants Narrow and wide host range depending on the species Piercing-sucking mouthparts Excrete honeydew Capable of transmitting viruses Adults are small, moth-like, usually with white wings. Typically cause yellowing and leaf drop Photos: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

3 Whitefly Life Cycle Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

4 Variability in Whitefly Immature Stages Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

5 Recent Whitefly Issues in the Landscape in South Florida Gumbo limbo spiraling whitefly Ficus whitefly Cardin s whitefly Whitefly on schefflera

6 Gumbo Rugose Limbo Spiraling Whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus First found at USDA office in Miami on Bursera simaruba Spring 2009 Known from Belize, Guatemala and Mexico Eggs are in a spiral pattern Adult is relatively large and docile

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8 Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Not much known about biology Closely related to giant whitefly, A. dugesii Adult is about 3 times larger than other whiteflies Adult whiteflies congregate on the undersides of leaves to feed and reproduce Some of the immature stages will secrete long white filaments of wax. It will likely survive year round in south Florida.

9 Giant Whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii) Pest of hibiscus and several other hosts (ornamentals, citrus, banana, weeds) In California it has been reported on more than 43 hosts Approximately 3 times lager than other types of whitefly Eggs are deposited in a spiral pattern FDACS-DPI, Lotz

10 Adults Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

11 Spiraling Eggs Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

12 Immature Stages Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

13 Parasitoid Identified Encarsia guadalupae

14 Predator Identified Nepasphis oculata

15 Acalypha wilkesiana (Copperleaf) Annona sp. (Sugarapple) Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk island pine) Bucida buceras (Black olive) Bursera simaruba (Gumbo limbo) Calophyllum species Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) Chrysobalanus icaco (Cocoplum) Chrysophyllum oliviforme (Satinleaf) Cocos nucifera (Coconut palm) Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood) Cordyline fruticosa (Hawaiian ti) Dictyosperma album (Hurrican palm) Dypsis lutescens (Areca palm) Eugenia spp. Ficus aurea (Strangler fig) Ficus carica (Edible fig) Hyophorbe verschaffeltii (Spindle palm) Mangifera indica (Mango) Manilkara roxburghiana Plants Hosts Myrica cerifera (Wax myrtle) Musa sp. (Banana) Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) Persea americana (Avocado) Phoenix roebelenii (Pigmy palm) Quercus virginiana (Live oak) Sabal palmetto (Sabal palm) Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper) Simarouba glauca Smilax auriculata Spondias sp. Spondias purpurea Strelitzia nicolai (White bird of paradise) Strelitzia reginae (Bird of paradise) Tabebuia species Terminalia catappa (Tropical almond) Veitchia species Washingtonia palm Zeuxine strateumatica And, the list continues to grow

16 Population of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Mean No. Whitefly per 11 cm sq Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

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18 Ficus Whitefly

19 Ficus Whitefly Singhiella simplex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Only feeds on ficus species Currently in several south and central Florida Counties Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS Will likely spread to areas where ficus is grown Photo: A. Roda, USDA APHIS

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21 Photo: H. Glenn,, UF/IFAS

22 Ficus Whitefly - Damage Causes leaf yellowing Leaf drop (severe) Branch dieback (highly variable) Photo: H. Glenn, and C. Mannion, UF/IFAS

23 Adult Whitefly (2-4 days) Ficus Whitefly Life Cycle Constant temperature (80º F) *2nd Eggs (10 days) 4 th instar puparia (5.8 days) *3rd 1 st instar crawler (4.2 days) 2 nd - 3 rd instars nymphs 2 nd instar 3.7 days; 3 rd instar 3. 3 days Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

24 Parasitoids Collected in Miami on Ficus Infested with Whitefly Amitus bennetti Encarsia protransvena Photos: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

25 Predators Collected in Miami on Ficus Infested with Whitefly Photos: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS Harmonia axyridis Olla v-nigrum Exochomus childreni Chilocorus nigritis Curinus coeruleus

26 Lacewing Larvae and Eggs

27 Ficus Whitefly Trapping Ficus benjamina Isolated area Sticky traps for adult whiteflies Defoliation

28 Ficus Whitefly - Mean Trap Catch First signs of defoliahon (8/28) up down east west 0 4-Mar 25-Mar 15-Apr 6-May 27-May 17-Jun 8-Jul 29-Jul 19-Aug 9-Sep 30-Sep 21-Oct 11-Nov 2-Dec 23-Dec 13-Jan 3-Feb 24-Feb 17-Mar 7-Apr 28-Apr 19-May 9-Jun 30-Jun 21-Jul 11-Aug 1-Sep 22-Sep 13-Oct 3-Nov 24-Nov 15-Dec 5-Jan

29 June approx. 100/trap October approx. 1600/trap August approx. 600/trap December approx. 800/trap Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

30 Monitoring Ficus Whitefly Monitor ficus plants before you see yellowing and leaf drop It takes several months of having the whitefly before you see the damage Look for the presence of the whitefly Adult whiteflies (not always present) Immature stages and eggs (very difficult to see but important in decision making) Pupal cases (most obvious stage on the leaves, but not the best indicator of control)

31 Another Whitefly Also on Ficus Does not appear to cause the same type of damage Tetraleurodes fici Photo: H. Glenn, UF/IFAS

32 Cardin s Whitefly

33 Cardin s Whitefly Metaleurodicus cardini Been in Florida since 1917 Recent outbreaks seen on Duranta species Similar appearance to the gumbo limbo spiraling whitefly

34 Hosts Reported Allspice Citrus species Barbados cherry Duranta species Eugenia species Fiddlewood Malaleuca Paurotis palm Plumeria Willow bustic

35 Cardin s Whitefly The adult is distinguished readily by the distinct dark spot on each wing.

36 Cardin s Whitefly

37 Whitefly on Schefflera

38 Dialeurodes schefflerae Newly described whitefly species Consistently the most prevalent whitefly on dwarf schefflera grown in Florida Host-specific Also occurs in Hawaii and California

39 Damage

40 Whitefly Stages

41 Whitefly Management

42 Managing Insects with Piercing/ Sucking Mouthparts Can be difficult to control Often have short life cycles Often not noticed until populations are high Many have waxy secretions/coverings that provide protection Production of honey dew (for some insects)

43 Management of Whitefly in the Landscape Need long term management which requires other options other than complete reliance on insecticides Natural enemies Alternate plant choices Cultural control Scouting and monitoring

44 Management of Whitefly in the Insecticides Landscape Sometimes important in the early management of a pest Appropriate choices of insecticide, formulation, methods of application and frequency of application Effects on natural enemies

45 Management of Whitefly in the Insecticides Landscape Misuse or overuse can cause problems such as insect resistance, secondary pest problems, environmental contamination, and detrimental effects on non-target organisms Follow label instructions - The site and method of application must be on the label (i.e. landscape, nursery, etc.)

46 Management Options Washing plants off with water Small infestations or small plants Must remove the immature stages and eggs. Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap Strictly contact so thorough coverage is required Several applications are required 7-10 days Phytotoxicity under high temperatures

47 Management Options Apply a systemic (neonicotinoid) insecticide to the soil Soil application (drench, granular, pellets) Expect approximately 1 year control; spring application Apply a foliar insecticide for quick knockdown Note: In the case of ficus whitefly, you can apply a soil systemic as a preventative

48 Neonicotinoid Insecticides Active Ingredient Acetamiprid Clothianadin Trade Names Professional Use TriStar (no soil application) Arena, Aloft* Trade Names Over-the-Counter Dinotefuran Safari Green Light Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari Imidacloprid Thiamethoxam Merit, Marathon, Coretect, Discus*, Allectus*, several generic labels Flagship, Meridian Bayer Advanced Lawn Complete Insect Killer; Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control ; Ortho Max * Contains a Neonicotinoid and a pyrethroid

49 Management Options Foliar Insecticide Application Whitefly should be present Foliar insecticides may provide quick control, most will not provide long-term control. Some foliar insecticides (i.e. pyrethroids) may disrupt the natural enemies and should be used very selectively. It is not recommended to use the same insecticide on both the foliage and in the soil

50 Foliar Insecticides for Homeowner Use Trade Name(s) Active Ingredient Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer (Ortho) Acetamiprid Bug B Gon Max Lawn & Garden Insect Killer (Ortho) Rose & Flower Insect Killer (Bayer Advanced); Lawn & Garden Insect Killer (Schultz) Triazicide Once & Done Insect Killer (Spectracide) Indoor/Outdoor Broad Use Insecticide (Hi-Yield) Yard & Garden Insect Killer (Bonide); Rose & Flower Insect Spray (Spectracide) Bifenthrin Cyfluthrin Lambdacyhalothrin Permethrin Pyrethrin

51 Soil and Foliar Application of Insecticides

52 Soil and Foliar Application of Insecticides

53 Soil and Foliar Application of Insecticides

54 Specific Management Tips Ficus Whitefly Scout immature stages; do not rely on the presence of adults Foliar insecticides only when live whitefly are present Soil or trunk insecticides can be preventative; provide long term control

55 Specific Management Tips Gumbo Limbo Whitefly Scout spiraling eggs on undersides of leaves; easy to see

56 Specific Management Tips Gumbo Limbo Whitefly Foliar insecticides contact may be difficult due to heavy wax production Soil or trunk insecticides use for heavily infested trees; can use for nearby plants or if eggs are present

57 Remember - the below symptoms do not stop or go away immediately even if you are controlling the pest Leaf drop White, waxy flock Sooty mold Do not apply additional insecticide unless you are sure it is necessary

58 Pest Alerts Web Resources University of Florida ( extlab7.entnem.ufl.edu/pestalert/) DOACS (

59 Test Your Whitefly Expertise

60 YES YES No No

61 No No No No

62 YES Yes No YES

63 No YES No YES

64 YES No YES No

65 Pest, Predator, Parasite??? Predator Parasite Parasitized Predators

66 Pest, Predator, Parasite??? Pest (pupal skins) Parasite Parasite Parasite

67 Pest, Predator, Parasite??? Parasite Predator Lacewing Predator Beetle Pest Live whitefly

68 Catharine Mannion Research and Extension Specialist Ornamental Entomology University of Florida, IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center SW 280 th Street Homestead, FL