Rugose Spiraling Whitefly South Florida Plant Attack

Who does not love the balmy, scented breezes and subtropical climate we enjoy almost year-round in Florida? We have an entire industry- tourism - based on the optimal living conditions we experience thanks to the wonderful atmosphere in our home state. But some visitors are more welcome than others, and some are not welcome at all. It is with no pleasure that we introduce the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly. 

The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly is a Central American import first collected in Miami-Dade County in March, 2009. This insect has steadily been making a northward trek and its' flight plan just make take right through your garden and landscaping. This pest is by no means a picky eater and will be quite content to munch through a lot of your greenery. Both larval and adult stages feed on and damage plant life. 

After hatching from eggs the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly larvae crawl around and begin to feed with their needle-like mouth parts on plant leaves. During this stage the so called "crawlers" are very small and may be difficult to observe. These crawlers will molt and go through several immature stages that are oval and at first flat, then they become more convex in shape. Some of these stages of the young whitefly will secrete long white filaments of wax. Note that these stages do not resemble a typical insect. In the warmer climes of south Florida these insects will likely
survive year round. 

The adult stage Rugose Spiraling Whitefly damages plants mostly not through intake but as a result of outflow. Research suggests the adult insect itself does not cause severe damage (on landscape plants) such as plant death or branch dieback. However the insects excrete massive amounts of sugary honeydew which provides an incubation ground for sooty mold. This mold can cause excessive damage to orchids as well as to cars and patios beneath infested plants. 

If your plants are falling victim to the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly the evidence will be clear. The undersides of their leaves will be covered with an abundance of the white, waxy material and the tops with excessive black sooty mold. In most cases you will note a white spiral or circular shaped clutch of eggs underneath the leaves of your plant. 

 The adult insects are larger than other whiteflies and are slow flying. This is not the same species of whitefly (ficus whitefly) that is currently causing damage through defoliation and branch dieback of ficus in south Florida. It will more than likely rapidly spread through more south Florida counties as well as making its' way to cooler northern areas.

Protect your trees and bushes from attack by Whitefly. Zimmerman Tree Services provides expert, licensed professional protection of your plants from infestation of the invasive, devastating Whitefly pests.There are different Whitefly treatment methods that may be applied to trees and hedges.
http://zimmermantreeservice.com/Services/WhiteflyTreatment.aspx

South Florida Against Ficus Whiteflies

Spring is coming and with it will come the arrival of all those enemies of herb, leaf and blossom, insect pests. Looks like another year of having to round up the usual suspects that love to munch through our gardens and landscapes. Our first subject is the ficus whitefly. 

This plant predator was first reported in Homestead, FL in 2007 and it has since made quite an infamous name for itself. It managed to make its' destructive way all the way across the continental United States in the span of in just five years, appearing on the west coast in California in 2012. Just as quickly the ficus whitefly established itself as a spreading pest that was rapidly affecting the health and aesthetics of valuable ficus trees and hedges. Whiteflies greedily feed on the underside of leaves with their piercing mouthparts. This causes wilting, yellowing, leaf drop, and eventually the death of the ficus plant.

The rapid life cycle of the ficus whitefly compounds its' ability to damage plants. Ficus whiteflies have at least three generations per year. Their eggs hatch and crawlers wander around the leaf until they find a feeding spot. When they attach the crawlers become immobile, feeding in the same spot until they reach adulthood. This cycle takes approximately 30 days to complete from start to finish. After becoming adults, they can fly to other ficus and lay their eggs. With up to three breeding cycles completed per year, populations can grow quickly and plant damage likewise accelerates.

These increasingly common pests can easily be identified. The Adult flies (about 1.4-1.6 mm) have white wings with faint grayish-brown markings. Their eyes are dark red. They are usually quite active and fly readily when disturbed. In the nymph stage ficus whiteflies have light green to tan, often semi-transparent, oval bodies which may blend with the surrounding leaf surface, making them a bit tougher to spot. The pupae also have red eyes. Immature stages of S. simplex can be found on both lower and upper surfaces of leaves, unlike many other whitefly species. Ficus whitefly eggs are yellow to light brown color, and a bit elongated. These are commonly deposited mostly along the middle vein on the underside of the leaves. All stages have their unique features and this makes for easier identification of these insects by novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Are your plants under ficus whitefly attack? Look for wilting yellow leaves that eventually fall off the plant, as well as plants that have lost their leaves out of season. Gently move your plant and watch for flying clouds of little white flies. Plants that are highly susceptible to the ficus whitefly include ficus hedges, banana leaf figs, fiddle leaf figs, strangler figs, weeping figs, Cuban laurels and banyan and false banyan trees. They have also been spotted on rhododendrons.

If you are experiencing ficus whitefly infestation treatment has to be applied at least annually. Your plants will have to be treated for the long term as this pest is not expected to go away now that populations here in Florida are well-established. Protect your trees and bushes from attack by Whitefly. 
Zimmerman Tree Services provides expert, licensed professional protection of your plants from infestation of the invasive, devastating Whitefly pests. 
There are different Whitefly treatment methods that may be applied to trees and hedges.

http://zimmermantreeservice.com/Services/WhiteflyTreatment.aspx