Whitefly

The whitefly, or scientifically aleurodida (Aleyrodidae), is a small flying insect that is a vicious enemy of garden and flower crops. The pest belongs to the Sternorrhyncha suborder and the Aleyrodidae family. The population of these individuals has about one and a half thousand varieties. Translated from Greek, the family name means "flour". The thing is that the body of the pest is covered with a waxy powdery coating.

Whitefly is a carrier of dangerous fungal diseases. In a short time, the pest colony can infect vegetable and berry plantings, as well as destroy bushes. The adults are very prolific and can even enter the greenhouse.

Whitefly description

Whiteflies are tiny parasites with snow-white wings that inhabit different climates. Depending on the territorial location, their appearance is slightly different. At a young age, pests are yellowish-greenish larvae covered with a fleecy bloom. The eggs feed on the sap of young leaves, sucking on the back of the plate with the help of wax glands, and pressing tightly to the stem. In search of food, the larvae crawl in different directions and quickly fill healthy plantings.

A few weeks later, a molar lepidoptera is born from an oval and flat larva - a butterfly with antennae, wings and long legs. Her body is colored reddish yellow interspersed with dark spots. In adults, four wings are formed, which fold in the shape of a house. The surface of the body is protected, like pollen, by a whitish powdery coating.

The plant that the whitefly has occupied can be identified by a number of signs:

1. If you touch infected leaves or berries, midges that hid before will fly up in a swarm. Outwardly, they resemble a moth with transparent wings.
2. If the seamy side of the leaves is covered with translucent scales, this indicates that the culture is affected by larvae. The plant begins to lag behind in development, gas exchange is disrupted, yellowing and twisting of the leaves occur at a speed. The lack of normal photosynthesis leads to the gradual wilting of the bush.
3. When the shoots and blades become covered with chlorotic yellow spots, a sticky bloom is formed, resembling honeydew in consistency. The secreted liquid is a waste product of the parasite.

Whiteflies prefer warm, humid climates. Similar conditions are typical for greenhouses and greenhouses. It is here that pests feel at ease. At temperatures below 10 degrees, they die.Eggs are more resistant to cold and can withstand even frosty weather. In the natural environment, pests are eaten by ladybugs, bugs and lacewing - their biological enemies.

Aleurodids are considered very dangerous insects, as they act as carriers of fungal and viral infections. If you do not take active measures to destroy them, the plant can get sick with curl, gray mold, mosaic, powdery mildew, or pick up other diseases that often lead to the death of the crop and are considered intractable.

Prevention measures

Horticultural owners with a wealth of experience and knowledge recommend preventive measures to prevent the appearance of the whitefly pest in the garden and vegetable garden. This approach will be more effective than a long and persistent insect control. Consider the main methods of prevention in the fight against whitefly:

1. Vegetables, shrubs and garden trees should be regularly inspected for larvae and adults. As a rule, they like to hide from the back of the leaf in order to freely feed on cell sap. The pest lays eggs on potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, cucumbers, soybeans, tomatoes, peas, sunflowers. It should be remembered that crops planted in warm climatic regions with high levels of air humidity are at increased risk.
2. It is important to provide plants with timely fertilizing with minerals and organic fertilizers. Weed in time and free the site from weeds, since at first the pests settle on ownerless plots.
3. To prevent indoor flowers from becoming infected with moths, the room is periodically ventilated. Do not allow waterlogging of the soil.

Ways to deal with whitefly in a greenhouse

Whitefly remedies (drugs)

If quarantine measures for seedlings have not helped, and whiteflies have firmly chosen the greenhouse, you will have to resort to chemicals. To stop the spread of the parasite and its larvae by biological methods can be effective only if the foci are single and small in number. It is quite problematic to get rid of the massive colonies of aleurodids using folk methods. Undoubtedly, with numerous accumulations of pesticides will be much more effective than natural remedies, but one should not forget about their high toxicity.

Below we list the main insecticidal agents and preparations for the destruction of whiteflies:

• Aktara... A complex preparation with a prolonged action. Used to prepare a solution that is poured under the bush. When there are a lot of whitefly individuals, you can additionally process the leaves by spraying the solution with a spray bottle. To consolidate the effect, the procedure is repeated several more times, arranging a week break between sessions. Experienced gardeners recommend removing insects the first time. Why do you need to prepare a concentrated solution of Aktar, i.e. 3-4 times the dosage relative to that indicated in the instructions.
• Confidor... The drug has a systemic effect. On plants treated with confidor, pests die after 1.5 hours. Analogs of the drug are also produced, which no less effectively lead to the death of whiteflies. In different proportions, the substance can be part of such products as Copfidor, Gaucho, Admir, Marathon, Commander, Provado and Applound.
• Akarin (Agravertine)... It belongs to the strongest agricultural pesticides, which effectively fights not only whiteflies, but also many pests, kills spider mites, Colorado beetles. The contents of 4 ml ampoules are diluted in water and the leaves are sprayed with the resulting solution. It is important that the substance gets on the body of the insect. The drug is allowed to be used in hot weather, it does not leave burns on the surface.
• Spark (Bio, Gold, Double Effect)... This versatile and fast-acting formulation promotes the death of insects from the very first treatment. Sales form: ampoules, powder, tablets, sticks. The composition includes nicotinoid alkaloids or tobacco. The tool gives a long-term effect, provides protection to shoots that have formed after treatment. The solution, once in the ground, penetrates the root system and remains in the tissues for about 3 weeks. Not addictive to pests, poisoning adults and larvae.
• Fitoverm... An insecticide that is used in the fight against almost all pests. One seasonal treatment will be enough to get rid of a colony of larvae on flowers and ornamental plants. Reprocessing helps to forget about the problem forever.
• Actellic... Belongs to the class of organophosphorus compounds, it is widely used to kill ticks and other insectivores. It has a pungent and repulsive odor, is toxic, does not lose its properties at high temperatures. Suitable for processing crops that grow in open field conditions. Handle the drug with extreme caution.
• Tanrek... Another popular insecticidal agent, which has a contact-intestinal effect on many parasites, effectively fights the whitefly colony. It successfully rescues crops with smooth leaf blades from insects. The velvety foliage, protected by a layer of hairs, is sprayed with a fine spray.

Whitefly on tomatoes in a greenhouse

In summer, whitefly pests prefer to attack plants that grow in ordinary beds. With the arrival of autumn cold weather, they hide in greenhouses, greenhouses or indoors among indoor flowers.

Vague yellow spots appearing on the leaf blades indicate the appearance of whitefly or larvae on the tomatoes. The spots are usually sticky to the touch. They remain in the place of accumulation of pests. In order to prevent the spread of the colony, the leaves are regularly examined from all sides. When the first traces of a whitefly are found, action is taken immediately.

To get rid of the whitefly, which damages greenhouse tomatoes, a soap solution will help. The foliage is first thoroughly washed with cool water and then sprayed with concentrated soapy water. For this purpose, tar soap is rubbed on a grater and dissolved in water. The treated leaves are left in this position for an hour, then the solution is washed off. Such a folk remedy is safe for vegetables. To provide the tomatoes with reliable protection, the procedure is repeated many times.

You can expel whitefly pests from tomato bushes using glue traps, which must be evenly placed at different ends of the greenhouse. To reduce the number of pests, fly sticky tapes are hung. They are impregnated with a special compound that attracts insects. The described traps will help solve the problem if we are talking only about adults. To destroy the larvae on tomatoes, the bushes are sprayed with a garlic solution or infusion of dandelion roots or leaves.

If the colony is growing rapidly, it will not be possible to remove insects from the greenhouse without chemicals. A little liquid dishwashing detergent, shampoo or shavings of laundry soap are added to insecticide solutions. Then the mass becomes sticky and, upon contact with the parasite, fetters its movements.

In greenhouses where vegetables are grown on a large scale, the growth of the whitefly population is biologically limited using predatory parasitic entomophages. These include encarsia wasps, which eat the eggs of this pest. One individual is able to cleanse 1 sq.m. of parasites. greenhouse area.

Whitefly on cucumbers in a greenhouse

Whiteflies cause significant harm to cucumbers in the greenhouse. Both larvae and adults are dangerous.A strong and long-lasting effect can be achieved by two or three times the treatment of the bushes with a chemical preparation. Small foci can be tried to remove using folk methods. Since vegetables tend to build up toxins, this will be safer. However, it is unlikely that it will be possible to exterminate insects that have settled in a greenhouse with pesticides or natural remedies the first time. The parasite is very tenacious, so next year it will easily take over the plantings. Also, gardeners are advised to remember about preventive measures.

Traces of the appearance of whiteflies on cucumbers in the greenhouse:

• the leaves lose their brightness, curl up and fade;
• the surface of the plates is covered with sticky yellow spots or white dots;
• larvae stick to the reverse side.

If you lightly fiddle with the bush, you will notice a swarm of flying white moth-like moths. If insects have just begun to appear, you can stop their reproduction using folk methods. To achieve a sustainable effect and forget about the problem forever, the treatment of the bushes will have to be repeated every week. Multiple spraying will leave no chance for parasites to survive in greenhouses. During the procedure, do not forget to thoroughly moisten the seamy side of the sheet plates.

The soap solution is highly effective against whitefly. The sponge is immersed in the solution and the parts of the plant where the larvae are bred are rubbed. The advantage of this method is that the treatment with soapy water allows you to remove both the larvae and the sooty fungus. Cucumbers will respond gratefully to the procedure, the leaves will receive a full portion of oxygen through the pores.

With a massive accumulation of whitefly on cucumbers, chemicals are used in the greenhouse. For example, Fufanon, Detis, Aktaru, Verticillin. Dissolve the substances according to the instructions. Sticky tapes are also hung in greenhouses.

Whitefly in the garden (in the open field)

Whitefly on tomatoes

Whitefly-infected tomatoes that are grown outdoors have exactly the same characteristics as greenhouse crops. In both cases, the fight against the pest is carried out according to the same principle. The use of chemicals is relevant in the case when the treatment with folk remedies did not give any effect. If the crop is on the verge of death, insecticide treatment is no longer necessary.

To protect the garden and city from the appearance of the whitefly, it is important not to forget about the main preventive measures:

1. Exceptionally healthy seedlings are planted in open ground without signs and traces of pest damage.
2. Weed beds are regularly weeded. Whiteflies especially love to hide in the thickets of dreaminess and nettles.
3. Glue traps are placed in time for catching adults.

If insects are found on seedlings, it is necessary to spray the plant with agrochemistry or treat the ground parts with folk remedies several times. Only disinfected seedlings are allowed to be transferred to the beds.

If whiteflies have managed to settle on bushes that have already been planted, they are fumigated with sulfur. Eggs of aleurodids and flying moths are afraid of sulfur. Tomato bushes are sprayed with this folk remedy once a week. If the colony has grown on a large scale, the bushes are sprayed with a powerful chemical. Fufanon, Mospilanom will do. Processing is carried out in cloudy weather, when there is no wind or rain outside, otherwise the water will wash off the substance before it has time to be absorbed. Whitefly has the ability to develop immunity to pesticides, so it is recommended to periodically change the drugs.

Whitefly on cucumbers

Cucumbers grown without film in the vegetable garden are very vulnerable to whitefly. They are dangerous due to the fact that they are considered the main vectors of diseases. Flying from sick bushes to healthy ones, they infect them with chlorosis, yellow cucumber mosaic, curliness and jaundice.At the first symptoms of the presence of whitefly on cucumbers, treatment is quickly started. Due to the high humidity and temperature, the fertility of the colony increases. If measures are not taken promptly, the female can lay about 130 eggs within one month.

If whiteflies are bred on cucumbers, an integrated approach is used. They use folk remedies, pesticides and mechanical tricks. However, if prevention is carried out on time, cucumbers will be under reliable protection from whitefly even in the open field. Plantings that could not be saved from the larvae are sprayed with soapy water. After an hour, the leaves are rinsed with clean water. The larvae remaining on the back of the leaf are harvested by hand. A bed of cucumbers is weeded after the procedure. One treatment will not be enough, spraying is repeated after a while, so as not to fear for the harvest.

The most effective folk remedy for whiteflies on cucumbers is dandelion squeeze and garlic solution. To restrain the reproduction of individuals, the bushes are sprayed with a phytohormone diluted in water called Bud once every 1.5 weeks. It contains boric and maleic acid. Of the pesticides in the fight against insects, Iskra and Tsitkor are used. Foliage treatment is carried out on a calm day in the absence of rain. Since whiteflies quickly develop resistance to chemicals, experienced summer residents are advised to alternate means.

Whitefly on cabbage

It is very simple to understand that a flock of whiteflies chose cabbage. It is enough to shake the leaves, and white moths will fly in different directions. The seamy side of the leaf plates can be covered with translucent larvae. They are destroyed with soapy water. Rubbing the leaves with a soft sponge, wash off the soap with water.

Folk remedies help to remove whiteflies from cabbage. Experienced gardeners advise using an infusion of garlic or dandelion root. With the help of a spray bottle, cabbage leaves are sprayed with infusion. Sticky tapes, hung on the site, save not only from flies, but also serve as an effective trap from the whitefly. If all of the above measures do not work, and midges continue to attack the garden, the cabbage is treated with chemicals. The main thing is not to overdo it with the dosage. The most rapidly effective agrochemicals include: Fitoverm, Fufanon, Iskra, Aktara, Aktellik and Confidor.

Whitefly on strawberries

The resulting white coating on the surface of the leaves indicates a whitefly infection of the strawberry. Gradually, the growth of the plant slows down, the foliage withers and falls off. Sick bushes do not give a full harvest, berries and vegetables rot before they mature. In addition to adults, insect larvae feed on cell sap, which stick to the underside of the plates.

Sick bushes are washed with a solution prepared from shavings of laundry soap. Also, instead of soap, it is allowed to use flea shampoo. When the liquid is slightly absorbed, the procedure ends by rinsing the bushes.

If you don't have sticky tape on hand, the traps are easy to do with your own hands. To do this, you need to take a sheet of cardboard or plywood, cut it into pieces and paint it yellow, which attracts insects. Next, the surface is lubricated with any sticky agent, for example, petroleum jelly or honey. Ready-made traps are placed in the beds. The parasites hovering over the bushes touch the cardboard with their wings and stick.

Peppermint repels pests of whiteflies well. They cannot stand the smell of mint. Therefore, it is recommended to plant the plant between the rows on a strawberry plantation. Garlic tincture is also helpful. Peeled chopped garlic is poured with hot water and infused for about a week. Then the mixture is filtered and diluted with water. The resulting solution is sprayed with strawberry bushes.

If the colony of aleurodids has grown strongly, insecticidal preparations are purchased.The infected vegetative mass is sprayed with Aktellik, Pegasus, Aktara, Confidor or Rovikurt dissolved in water. In addition, the problem can be solved biologically. Whiteflies that harm garden strawberries and strawberries are afraid of natural enemies - encarsia and macrofus bugs, which feed on larvae. Predators exterminate the colony of parasites on the site, after which, in search of food, they move to other crops.

Whitefly on raspberries

Whitefly attacked raspberry bushes have exactly the same characteristics as other crops. The leaves are covered with a whitish coating, sticky to the touch, which the larvae secrete. Lack of cell sap and nutrients, as well as loss of turgor pressure, leads to drying out, discoloration and wilting of the ground parts. Weakened raspberry bushes bear fruit worse.

To combat the whitefly pest, folk remedies are first used. Because even the safest chemicals are still toxic and can accumulate in berries. However, if the plantings of raspberries are completely affected by insects, you cannot do without chemicals.

Whitefly on grapes

If whiteflies are bred on the grapes, the bushes are washed with soapy water or treated with dandelion infusion, garlic solution. Folk remedies are used at least once a week. Having harvested the grapes, the bushes are allowed to be sprayed with a solution of Aktara or Fufanon.

How to get rid of whitefly on indoor plants

Fuchsia

Often, the whitefly attacks indoor plants and flowers. Fuchsia is under threat - one of the representatives of the Cyprian family. This perennial, deciduous shrub is cold resistant, so the pot can be moved to the balcony to kill pests. Midges are afraid of the cold and do not tolerate temperature extremes. However, if they have already managed to lay eggs on the leaves, it will not be possible to save the plant in this way. The leaves are wiped on both sides with a wet sponge and the eggs are collected.

To combat whitefly and its larvae, it is effective to use a safe folk remedy - sugar syrup. Dissolve 2 tsp in one glass of warm water. sugar and the leaves are treated with the resulting liquid. In the fight against adult whiteflies, Actellik has proven itself well.

Hibiscus

Once the whitefly has settled on the hibiscus, neighboring houseplants are also vulnerable. Females reproduce and fly from one flower to another in the apartment. Infestation and pest control should be prevented as soon as possible. The remains of eggs and adults are destroyed with a soap solution and dandelion infusion. For greater efficiency, the treatment is repeated several times. If the moth has multiplied throughout the flower, instead of folk remedies, it is better to use an insecticide, for example, Aktara.

Whiteflies attack indoor plants as often as garden crops. As a result of improper care, poor ventilation in the room and waterlogging of the soil, midges quickly settle on flowers. Infected bushes are treated with soapy water and rinsed with running water. To consolidate the effect, a flower pot with hibiscus is taken out onto the balcony and additionally sprayed with a powerful insecticide.

Folk remedies for whitefly

Wet processing of leaves

It is best to destroy the whitefly until the population has grown. A week later, from tiny larvae, adults hatch, capable of moving around and feeding on vegetables and flowers. Stopping the spread of winged individuals is problematic. To prevent infection, once a week, the leaves are wiped with a damp sponge, paying particular attention to the inside of the plates, where the parasites prefer to lay their eggs. The maximum number of larvae is removed.

Taking proper care of your plant will reduce the chances of whitefly appearing. The mechanical method of destroying the pest is applicable only in the case of single plantings.To get rid of insects in greenhouses and greenhouses, you will have to use chemical reagents.

Lowering the air temperature

Aleurodids die at low temperatures. Diseased flowers and vegetables are taken to a cool room, where the air temperature is from 8 to 10 degrees. Freezing only kills adult whiteflies, however. Eggs are resistant to cold, burrowing deeper into the ground, they can hibernate. When the ambient temperature rises again, the larvae will become active and continue to suck out cell sap from plant tissues.

Tinctures and solutions against whitefly

• Soap solution - the solution is prepared from shavings of laundry or tar soap. The ratio of soap and water should be 1: 6. The liquid is whipped into a persistent foam. Then the mass is spread with a soft sponge on the surface of the leaves. To process large plantings in this way, use a spray bottle. The top layer of soil, where the eggs are hidden, is dug up and also lightly sprayed. If the whiteflies have just begun to start, one treatment with soapy water is enough. However, to consolidate the effect, it is more expedient to repeat the procedure in a week.
• Garlic infusion - to prepare an infusion of garlic, take 2 medium garlic cloves, peel and chop them. Add 1 liter of pure water, mix. Cover the container with a lid, put it in a dark place. The mixture is insisted for a day. Strain before use. To remove whitefly pests, it is enough to carry out 2-3 sprays with an interval of 7 days.
• Yarrow herbal infusion - fresh yarrow leaves in the amount of 90 gr. pour in clean water and insist for a couple of days. Pass the solution through a sieve and spray the plant. If there are not very many larvae, 2-3 procedures are enough to cure the culture from the whitefly. The product is sprayed with a break of one week.
• Tobacco processing - the infusion is made on the basis of cigarettes. Tobacco is extracted from them and poured into a deep container. The tobacco is poured over with warm water. To infuse the mixture, rearrange the container in a dark place. After 5 days, start spraying the foliage surface with tobacco infusion. To prevent the spray bottle from clogging, the solution is pre-filtered. The procedure is repeated once every 3 days until the aleurodides are completely killed.
• Dandelion infusion - the product is prepared from dandelion leaves and roots. Add 40 grams per liter of water. chopped roots and fresh herbs. Dandelions are insisted for 3-4 days. This folk remedy is great for dealing with whitefly in the warmth. Moisturizing will have to be repeated after 7 days.

Traditional methods of control are very effective in combating whitefly, if the signs of damage are insignificant, and are aimed at disrupting the life cycle of insects.

Whitefly species

On the territory of Russia, 4 types of whiteflies are most often found:

1. Greenhouse. Harmful to indoor flowers and vegetables that are bred in greenhouses. It is especially dangerous for cucumbers, tomatoes, fuchsias, ferns, balsam, asters, violets.
2. Tobacco. It is considered a viral pest. The risk group includes: berries, citrus fruits, vegetables, herbs.
3. Citrus. The climate of the Black Sea coast attracts this species of whitefly, where they harm citrus fruits.
4. Strawberry. It feeds on strawberries and cabbage.

Entomology books provide detailed descriptions of the tobacco whitefly. It is this species that is considered the most dangerous quarantine insect that managed to emigrate to all continents. The parasite can carry about 100 different viruses.

In hot summer weather, an adult moth lives for about two weeks. Under favorable conditions, one female lays 50-300 eggs. The tobacco whitefly occupies melons, industrial, vegetable and flower crops, fodder and medicinal herbs, and does not even disdain weeds. Sometimes the pest comes across on berries, shrubs, fruit and citrus trees.This type of whitefly threatens crops grown commercially in large greenhouse complexes.