Project Description
Insects known as whitefly belong to the order hemiptera, despite having the external appearance of diptera. Adults measure about 2 mm and their whole body is covered by the wings, except the head. It has characteristic red eyes and has a stiletto-shaped suction beak to suck the sap. The female lays more than 100 extremely small eggs, measuring about 0.2 mm. They are usually laid on the back of the leaves. Oval, flat nymphs emerge from these eggs. Then, they go through four instars before becoming adults. Depending on the species, they can have up to 10 generations a year.
The damage is caused by nymphs as well as by adults, who suck the sap and cause loss of vigour of the plant. In addition, they secrete honeydew that serves as a bed for fungi like sooty mould (Cladosporium), giving the plant a bad appearance and diminishing its photosynthetic capacity, since the leaves become blackened. They can also act as virus vectors.
Preventive treatment with plant endotherapy (ENDOterapia Vegetal®) to avoid the occurrence of problems. Generally speaking, we recommend preventive treatment to be carried out in spring, during plant growth activation and with at least 60% of its developed leaf mass. A curative treatment can also be carried out. However, damage caused will disappear at a slower pace.