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