We see as it is a pest that likes high temperatures and relatively humid ambient, that’s why the summer is their favourite season and greenhouses and in growing-boxes their favourite habitat. From the egg laying until the birth of the larva they spend approximately 24 hours: then the larva need more less four weeks to become adult, passing through 4 larvarl-nymphal stages in flake form and located on the underside of the leaves.
First stage: Approximate size of 0.25mm. The larva feeds on sucking sap from the plant. Only in this stage the larva is capable of moving, the other three are sessile, i.e. the nymph is enclosed in a capsule to protect itself while its structure changes.
Second stage: Approximate size of 0.4 mm. The formation of six legs can be seen on the larva.
Third stage: Approximate size of 0.5 mm. Transparent appearance.
Fourth Stage: Some organs, like the eyes, appear at this stage. Its thickness and size increase. Normally, this nimphal state is called “pupa”; the adult emerges from its protective capsule through a T-shaped slot – normally in the morning – starting to fly immediately.
Symptoms and damages caused by the Whitefly
White-Fly plague
Tremendous Whitefly pest infestation
The first evidence of the attack of these insects are chlorosis, deficiencies (yellowing) in the leaves, which end up drying – usually starting at the edges – and falling. The plant often suffers a slowdown in its development and a general deterioration of its state.
Apart from the symptoms caused directly by its sap sucking action, other symptoms related to the sugary honeydew secreted by these insects may appear, what favours the appearance of sooty mold, a black fungus that “dirty” the leaves and weakens the photosynthetic process. It may also appear other diseases, viruses and bacteria.
Keep in mind then – especially when you’re treating with a flying insect which has ease for the displacement – that whiteflies can cause serious damage to a crop, not only by its sap-sucking action, but also by the diverse diseases that can be transmited to the plants, for whiteflies are a vector insect of these.
Prevention and control of the Whitefly
Basil
Basil aroma repels the White-Fly
As in most pests and diseases that may affect the different strains of marijuana, prevention is basic to reduce the chances of possible attacks and infections. We can rotate our plants with others, thus creating an association of beneficial plants: growing Marigolds, Chinese Carnations or Basil will help to prevent the appearance of whiteflies because its smell repels them. We must check the underside of the leaves regularly looking for adults or larvae, and use an organic insecticide like potassium soap or Neem oil every few days. The use of sticky traps, in which adult insects will be sticked, will make things more difficult for them.
If we already have an affected crop we can use different ecological remedies to combat the plague: Rotenone and Pyrethrins (commonly used in organic farming as an alternative to chemicals) work well, and their use can be alternated with other insecticides such as infusions of Tansy or wormwood.
Macrolophus Caliginosus
Macrolophus Caliginosus, natural predator of the White-Fly
If these remedies don’t work – or if we don’t want to use them for any reason – we can combat the White-Fly with different natural predators. Some of the most effective ones are:
Cales Noacki: Small wasp that parasites whitefly larvae. Very effective, although it isn’t commercialized on the market.
Encarsia Formosa: especially effective in greenhouses. Small fly of just 1mm of black colour with transparent wings. As the Cales Noacki, it lays its eggs (parasites) in White-fly larvae. It reaches its maximum predatory efficiency at a temperature of 25-27ºC and 50-60% relative humidity, using 10 predators per m2.
Macrolophus Caliginosus: useful also to combat other pests like spider mites. They attack Whiteflies in all their stages, preferring eggs and larvae.
You can also use other predators, like fungi: Paecilomyces fumosororeus, Beauveria Bassiana, etc.
As a last resort, and always avoiding their use for the sake of our environment, we can use chemicals to eradicate a Whitefly pest. These treatments will be especially effective against the larvae, which tend to be more sensitive to these substances. It should be noted that Whiteflies have a great capacity to develop defenses against these products, so we should alternate the use of several active principles to get maximum effectiveness. We should always choose insecticides respectful with the natural enemies of the plague that we are going to treat, limiting their use to the most and always as last resource, since a biological crop is always better.
As active substances against the White-fly, and among others, we find Butocarboxim, Buprofezin, Imidalclopid, etc.
We hope to have helped you in the fight against this annoying pest, remember that preseverance in prevention and hygiene are the keys to prevent the emergence of any pest or disease in your plants. We wish you happy and prosperous crops!
Good Vibes!
And if you use what you have use out as a foliar spray no use in using in the soil if they aren’t there