pests
Greenhouse whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly
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The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a typical greenhouse pest that affects crops.

Biology
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Adult greenhouse whiteflies measure about 2 mm and are covered with a white waxy powder. Their wings are positioned horizontally and overlap slightly. The female greenhouse whitefly deposits its oval-shaped eggs of 0,2 mm on the underside of leaves at the top of the plant. After 2 - 3 days they turn black.


The larva that hatches is first mobile during a few hours to search for a suitable place on the leaf to settle. Later on, and in the subsequent larval stages and pupal stage, it does not move anymore. The four larval stages look very similar, but differ clearly in size.
The white, transparent pupa is round with an upright edge. The pupa is covered with hairs.
An adult greenhouse whitefly emerges from the pupa through a T-shaped exit hole.


On tomato, development from egg to adult takes 20 days at 27°C or 38 days at 17°C, but on other host plants this can be quite different.
Also fertility depends on temperature and host plant. A female lays about 100 eggs on tomato, 200 eggs on cucumber and 300 eggs on eggplants.

Damage
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As well larvae as adults suck plant juices. Secretion of honeydew fouls the leaves and the fruits, which become not marketable. Often moulds grow on the honeydew, which stunts photosynthesis and respiration of the plant.

Crop: Eggplant
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  • Preventive: Introduce 1,5 Encarsia formosa/m² during min. 3 weeks. Discuss further steps with your advisor.
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce during min. 4 weeks mimimum 3-4 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for the control of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: As from February introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 2/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Preventive:
    • As from February release in 2 introductions minimum 0,5 Macrolophus/m²
    • Use Nutrimac for alternative food.
  • Curative:
    • Introduce in 2 to 4 introductions minimum 0,5-1 Macrolophus/m²
    • Introduce in whitefly hot spots 5 to 10 Macrolophus/m²
  • Remark:
    • Introduce Macrolophus always in the crop, use a Bio-Box for the introduction.
    • Per packaging maximum 5-10 introduction points.
  • Alternative food for predatory bugs
  • Introduce weekly during 2 to 4 weeks a dose of 10-20 gram/ha.
  • Introduce Nutrimac always in the crop on a protected spot on the leaf.
  • Preventively disperse 20 pieces/m² on the leaves. As soon as the first preys are detected, spread 100 pieces/m² where whitefly or thrips were located.
Crop: Poinsettia
More info
  • Available as sprinkling material or on cards.
  • Introduce 6 Encarsia/m²/week
  • In case of parasitization: increase up to 9 Encarsia/m²/week.
  • Introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 3/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • When Bemisia tabaci (tobacco whitefly) has been detected, introduce during 5 weeks 3 Eretmocerus mundus/m².
Crop: Anthurium
More info
  • Available as sprinkling material and on cards.
  • Preventive: Introduce 1,5 Encarsia/m² per week.
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce weekly minimum 3 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Introduce in hot spots 5 - 10 Encarsia/m² per week until an equilibrium is reached.
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for control of greenhouse whitefly. (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
  • Curative: As from February introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 3/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • When Bemisia tabaci (Sweetpotato whitefly) is detected, introduce immediately during 5 weeks 3 Eretmocerus mundus/m².
Crop: Cherry tomato
More info
  • Available as sprinkling material or on cards with 50 or 100 Encarsia formosa/card.
  • Hang during the heating of the greenhouse yellow sticky traps 50 pieces/ha to detect the first whitefly.
  • Preventive: Introduce 1 Encarsia formosa/m² during min. 3 weeks. Afterwards discuss further steps with your advisor.
  • Curative: When whiteflies are detected, introduce during min. 4 weeks minimum 3 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Remarks:
    • As from the moment that whitefly is detected, introduce higher numbers of Encarsia formosa.
    • If necessary, introduce for a longer time.

 

 

  • Only in combination with Encarsia formosa.
  • As from the beginning of April introduce during minimum 5 weeks 1/m².
  • Introduce especially in whitefly hot spots.
Crop: Chrysant
More info
  • Preventive: Introduce 1 Encarsia formosa/m² during minimum 3 weeks. Discuss further steps with your advisor.
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce during min. 4 weeks mimimum 3-4 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
     
Crop: Cucumber
More info
  • Preventive: Introduce 1 Encarsia formosa/m² during min. 3 weeks. Discuss further steps with your advisor.
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce during min. 4 weeks minimum 3 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Remark: You always have to reckon with the possible side effect and the advised waiting period of the used crop protection products before you start with the introduction of Encarsia formosa.
  • A mix of Ertemocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for the control of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
  • Curative: As from February introduce during min. 4 weeks minimum 3 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%). 

The application method of PreFeRal® WG depends on the crop and the number of whiteflies present.

  • Spraying:
    PreFeRal® WG should be applied with conventional spraying equipment. PreFeRal® WG works as a contact insecticide. In order to obtain an efficient insect control, the undersides of the leaves should be properly covered. It is recommendable to use sufficient quantities of water. The volume of water needed depends on crop development. Usually, selection of high spray volume will provide the best results. It is recommended to apply 2.000 - 3.000 l/ha on full-grown and 1.000 l/ha on small or young crops.
    The optimal pH of the water should be between pH 4 and pH 7.
  • Integrated Pest Management Programme:
    PreFeRal® WG can be used in combination with beneficials such as Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus californicus or Macrolophus caliginosus. This makes PreFeRal® WG an outstanding correction agent when biological control needs some extra help with whitefly control. This is called "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).
  • Integrated Resistence Management Programme:
    PreFeRal® WG can be applied in combination with selective whitefly insecticides as a part of an Integrated Resistence Management Programme (IRM).
  • Preventively disperse 20 pieces/m² on the leaves. As soon as the first preys are detected, spread 100 pieces/m² where whitefly or thrips were located.
Crop: Gerbera
More info
  • Available as sprinkling material and on cards.
  • Preventive: Introduce 1,5 Encarsia/m² per week
  • Curative: Introduce after the detection of whitefly in the crop, weekly min. 3 Encarsia/m² until a sufficient number if whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Introduce in hot spots 5-10 Encarsia/m² per week until an equilibrium is reached.
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for the control of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: As from February introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 3/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • When Bemisia tabaci (the sweetpotato whitefly) is detected introduce immediately for 5 weeks 3 Eretmocerus mundus/m².

The application method of PreFeRal® WG depends on the crop and the number of whiteflies present.

  • Spraying
    PreFeRal® WG should be applied with conventional spraying equipment. PreFeRal® WG works as a contact insecticide. In order to obtain an efficient insect control, the undersides of the leaves should be properly covered. It is recommendable to use sufficient quantities of water. The volume of water needed depends on crop development. Usually, selection of high spray volume will provide the best results. It is recommended to apply 2.000 - 3.000 l/ha on full-grown and 1.000 l/ha on small or young crops.
    The optimal pH of the water should be between pH 4 and pH 7.
  • Integrated Pest Management Programme
    PreFeRal® WG can be used in combination with beneficials such as Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus eremicus or Macrolophus caliginosus. This makes PreFeRal® WG an outstanding correction agent when biological control needs some extra help with whitefly control. This is called "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).

 

Crop: Haricot bean
More info
  • Hang during the heating of the greenhouse minimum 20 yellow sticky traps per ha to observe the first whitefly.
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce during min. 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Encarsia formosa/m² until a satisfying number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Remark: Encarsia formosa parasitizes preferably the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) fot the control of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: As from February introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
Crop: Melon
More info
  • Available as sprinkling material and on cards.
  • Preventive: Introduce 1,5 Encarsia/m²/ week. (3 weeks after planting).
  • Curative: After detection of whiteflies, introduce minimum 3 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Introduce hot spots 5-10 Encarsia/m² per week until an equilibrium is reached.
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for whitefly control. (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).

As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 3 Eretmocerus eremicus/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).

Crop: Rose
More info
  • Introduce every 2 weeks 0,5-1 Encarsia/m² as soon as whiteflies are detected in the greenhouse. Repeat until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for the control of the Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: Introduce as from February during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%). 
  • Introduce as from February during minimum 4 weeks min. 2 wasps/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
Crop: Strawberry
More info
  • Available in tubes and on cards.
  • Preventive: Introduce 1,5 Encarsia/m² per week.
  • Curative: Introduce after whitefly is detected in the crop, weekly min. 3 Encarsia/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized  (80-90%).
  • In hot spots: introduce 5-10 Encarsia/m² per week until an equilibrium is reached.
  • Preventively disperse 20 pieces/m² on the leaves. As soon as the first preys are detected, spread 100 pieces/m² where whitefly or thrips were located.
Crop: Sweet pepper
More info
  • During the heating of the greenhouse hang minimum 20 yellow sticky traps per ha to detect the first whitefly.
  • Curative: After detection of the first whiteflies, introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3 Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Remark: Encarsia formosa parasitizes preferably the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • A mix of Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa (50/50) for the control of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).
  • Curative: As from February introduce during 4 weeks minimum 3-4 Eretmocerus eremicus + Encarsia formosa/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Curative: After detection of the first whiteflies in the crop, introduce during 5 weeks minimum 3 Eretmocerus mundus/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Remark: Eretmocerus mundus parasitizes only the sweetpotato whitefly! (Bemisia tabaci)
  • Preventively disperse 20 pieces/m² on the leaves. As soon as the first preys are detected, spread 100 pieces/m² where whitefly or thrips were located.
Crop: Tomato
More info
  • Preventive: Introduce 1 Encarsia formosa/m² during minimum 3 weeks. Discuss further steps with your advisor. 
  • Curative: When whiteflies are detected, introduce during minimum 4 weeks 3-4 Encarsia/m²  until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Preventive: Introduce 1 Encarsia formosa/m² during minimum 3 weeks. Discuss further steps with your advisor. 
  • Curative: When whiteflies are detected, introduce during minimum 4 weeks 3-4 Encarsia/m²  until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • As from February introduce during minimum 4 weeks min. 2/m² until a sufficient number of whiteflies are parasitized (80-90%).
  • Preventive:
    As from February release in 2 introductions minimum 0,5 Macrolophus/m²
    Use Nutrimac for alternative food.
  • Curative:
    Introduce in 2 to 4 introductions minimum 0,5-1 Macrolophus/m²
    Introduce in whitefly hot spots 5 to 10 Macrolophus/m²
  • Remark:
    Introduce Macrolophus always in the crop, use a Bio-Box for the introduction.
    Per packaging maximum 5-10 introduction points
  • Alternative food for predatory bugs. 
  • Introduce weekly during 2 to 4 weeks a dose of 10-20 gram/ha.
  • Introduce Nutrimac always in the crop on a protected spot on the leaf.

The application method of PreFeRal® WG depends on the crop and the number of whiteflies present.

  • Spraying:
    PreFeRal® WG should be applied with conventional spraying equipment. PreFeRal® WG works as a contact insecticide. In order to obtain an efficient insect control, the undersides of the leaves should be properly covered. It is recommendable to use sufficient quantities of water. The volume of water needed depends on crop development. Usually, selection of high spray volume will provide the best results. It is recommended to apply 2.000 - 3.000 l/ha on full-grown and 1.000 l/ha on small or young crops.
    The optimal pH of the water should be between pH 4 and pH 7.
  • Integrated Pest Management Programme:
    PreFeRal® WG can be used in combination with beneficials such as Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus californicus or Macrolophus caliginosus. This makes PreFeRal® WG an outstanding correction agent when biological control needs some extra help with whitefly control. This is called "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).
  • Integrated Resistence Management Programme:
    PreFeRal® WG can be applied in combination with selective whitefly insecticides as a part of an Integrated Resistence Management Programme (IRM).

 

pests
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Biobest Belgium N.V.
Ilse Velden 18
2260 Westerlo
BE - Belgium
T: +32 14 257 980
F: +32 14 257 982