Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and zucchini are some summer vegetables that may be in your greenhouse or vegetable garden. The seeds, sown in March or April, are about to go into the open ground and we don't want all that work to be spoiled by pests. Today we would like to discuss the whitefly, one of the common pests of summer vegetables.
There are many different species of whitefly , but some of the most common are the greenhouse whitefly and the tobacco whitefly . The damage caused can be recognized by visible signs; as;
Whiteflies feed on plant sap, which can cause the leaves of affected plants to turn yellow and eventually fall off. This yellowing is often more pronounced on the lower leaves of the plant.
Whiteflies secrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which can coat the leaves, stems and fruits of affected plants. Mold can grow again on this sugary layer. This can cause a black layer to form on the plant.
In severe cases, whitefly infestations can cause plants to wilt and die. This can happen if the insects are present in very large numbers and feed heavily on the plant.
Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, as well as ornamental plants, are a favorite snack for whiteflies. If they are in your greenhouse or vegetable garden, it is advisable to prevent whiteflies with the following preventive measures;
Check the vegetables for signs of whitefly, such as seeing the creature or feeling a sticky substance. Also look at the undersides of the leaves. Placing Sticky Leafs helps to catch and gain insight into a pest.
Avoid continuously growing susceptible plant species. Rotate crops to disrupt the whitefly life cycle and reduce pest buildup.
The use of parasitic wasps and predatory mites can help to suppress whitefly populations because they feed on the nymphs or eggs.
Protect your summer vegetables against whitefly and choose the recommendations from Insect Heroes. Want to know more about whitefly? Then click here !
Recognizing whitefly damage
There are many different species of whitefly , but some of the most common are the greenhouse whitefly and the tobacco whitefly . The damage caused can be recognized by visible signs; as;
Yellow leaves
Whiteflies feed on plant sap, which can cause the leaves of affected plants to turn yellow and eventually fall off. This yellowing is often more pronounced on the lower leaves of the plant.
Sticky film (honeydew)
Whiteflies secrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which can coat the leaves, stems and fruits of affected plants. Mold can grow again on this sugary layer. This can cause a black layer to form on the plant.
Wilting or dying of the plant
In severe cases, whitefly infestations can cause plants to wilt and die. This can happen if the insects are present in very large numbers and feed heavily on the plant.
Prevent whiteflies
Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, as well as ornamental plants, are a favorite snack for whiteflies. If they are in your greenhouse or vegetable garden, it is advisable to prevent whiteflies with the following preventive measures;
Check regularly
Check the vegetables for signs of whitefly, such as seeing the creature or feeling a sticky substance. Also look at the undersides of the leaves. Placing Sticky Leafs helps to catch and gain insight into a pest.
Rotate crops and plant diversity
Avoid continuously growing susceptible plant species. Rotate crops to disrupt the whitefly life cycle and reduce pest buildup.
Introduce biological control agents
The use of parasitic wasps and predatory mites can help to suppress whitefly populations because they feed on the nymphs or eggs. 
