Common crops affected
What is it?
Whiteflies are small (1–2 mm) white-winged insects related to aphids and scale. They gather on the undersides of leaves, where both adults and their immature stages suck sap. They breed continuously in warm conditions, so populations build quickly in greenhouses and mild climates.
How to identify it
- Clouds of tiny white adults disturbed from the canopy
- Scale-like nymphs on leaf undersides
- Honeydew and black sooty mould
- Virus symptoms and irregular ripening
Damage and how it spreads
Heavy whitefly feeding saps plant vigor and reduces yield, while honeydew fuels sooty mold that blocks light. Most seriously, whiteflies transmit a range of plant viruses, which can devastate susceptible crops. Their fast breeding in warm conditions means infestations escalate quickly without intervention.
How to control it
- Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult numbers.
- Remove and destroy heavily infested lower leaves.
- Protect natural enemies and avoid broad-spectrum chemicals.
- Spray a natural contact insecticide on leaf undersides, repeating to catch new adults.
Recommended Vegalab solution: Spider Mite Control
Vegalab Spider Mite Control is the primary option for whitefly, with MultiMite Control as a companion where pressure is broader. It works physically rather than through a single biochemical target — blocking the pests' breathing holes, suffocating them on contact and deactivating laid eggs — so thorough coverage matters more than dose. Treat leaf undersides thoroughly and keep pressure on through the crop under glass, targeting the controllable nymph stage.
Results you can mention: Spider Mite Control has demonstrated up to ~95% control of spider mites and ~94% of aphids in trials, and also controls scale, thrips and other soft-bodied insects.
| Role | Product | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary control | Spider Mite Control | Contact miticide / insecticide |
| Companion / broader pressure | MultiMite Control | Broader mixed mite & insect pressure |
See crop-specific solutions
Preventing it next season
Scout regularly with sticky traps, quarantine new plants before introducing them (especially in greenhouses), and keep beneficials active. Resilient plants handle pressure better, so keep nutrition balanced through the crop.
Claims and product availability vary by jurisdiction. Always read and follow the product label.