The sweet-potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is sometimes referred to as the silverleaf whitefly. Outbreaks of sweet potato whitefly occur worldwide, resulting in yield loss and economic injury in a wide array of crops.
Damage
Sweet-potato whitefly causes direct and indirect damage to plants as a result of feeding and plant disease transmission. Sweet potato whitefly cause yellowing and leaf curling in several vegetable crops and feeding by nymphs can induce physiological disorders such as irregular ripening in tomatoes and silverleaf in curcubits. Honeydew deposition on leaves produces a shiny, sticky sheen and provides an ideal substrate for sooty mold growth. Decline in the aesthetic quality of ornamental plants in greenhouses caused by black sooty mold contamination. Flying adults are problems associated with high density of whitefly populations.
There are specific natural enemies for different species of whitefly.
For more information contact your local BioBee field agent.
