Field Identification
Tiny white-winged sap feeders on leaf undersides; when brushed, adults flutter up in a cloud. Honeydew leads to sooty mold. Many crops are hosts; species-level ID often needs magnification or expert keys.
About 1 mm long, wings held roof-like over the body, often coated with white wax. Nymphs are flat, oval, and sessile after the first instar.
How to Deal With It
Organic Control Methods
Inspect new plants, quarantine greenhouse additions, and avoid excess nitrogen that produces soft growth.
Encourage Encarsia spp. and Eretmocerus spp. parasitoids, lacewings, lady beetles, and Delphastus catalinae where present.
Remove heavily infested leaves, intersperse less-preferred species, and clean up crop residues that harbor adults.
Yellow sticky traps catch adults; a strong water rinse on leaf undersides dislodges nymphs and eggs on sturdy plants.
Insecticidal soap, neem, or horticultural oil (avoid phytotoxicity in heat or on hairy leaves) with thorough undersides coverage; repeat on a short interval until cleared.
Let Nature Handle It
Natural Enemies
- Parasitic Wasps
- Ladybugs
- Lacewings
- Minute Pirate Bugs