Pests & diseases › Whitefly
Whitefly
Tiny white moth-like insects on leaf undersides. Plume up when disturbed. Suck sap, excrete honeydew.
Symptoms
- Clouds of tiny white insects rising from plants when touched
- Sticky honeydew on lower leaves
- Sooty mould forming on the honeydew
- Stunted, yellowed growth
Lifecycle
Two types: glasshouse whitefly (year-round indoors) and cabbage whitefly (outdoor, on brassicas).
What to do
- Yellow sticky traps in greenhouses
- Encarsia formosa biological control (parasitic wasp) — buy from suppliers like Defenders or Dragonfli
- Soft soap spray, focusing on leaf undersides
- Vacuum adults off plants in cool morning
If it's bad
- Pyrethrum spray — repeat every 5 days as eggs hatch
Stop it coming back
- Inspect new plants thoroughly before bringing into greenhouse
- Don't grow brassicas next to tomatoes/peppers under glass
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Crops it goes for
Aubergine
Chilli Pepper (Hot)
Chilli Pepper (Medium)
Chilli Pepper (Mild)
Chilli Pepper (Super Hot)
Cucumber
Cucumber (Greenhouse)
Kale
Sweet Pepper
Tomato (Beefsteak)
Tomato (Cherry)
Tomato (Plum)
Tomato (Specialty)
Tomato (Standard)
Plan the plot, track every sowing, cook the harvest
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.