Whitefly, any sap-sucking member of the insect family Aleyrodidae (order Homoptera). The nymphs, resembling scale insects, are flat, oval, and usually covered with a cottony substance; the adults, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 inch) long, are covered with a white opaque powder and resemble tiny moths. DEAR GARDEN COACH: We have a plum tree in the backyard that gets horrible whitefly every summer.

Understanding the Context

Everything underneath the tree gets all sticky, and all the plants near it get whitefly, too. We are ... Everywhere I go folks are asking about the whitefly problem attacking the ficus hedges in Palm Springs. Whiteflies have long been a pest of greenhouse growers and they afflict agricultural crops in ...

Key Insights

Whitefly-infested plants release volatiles that reduce defenses against insect herbivores in neighboring plants, thereby supporting the next generation of whiteflies, a study finds. Upon infestation ... Recently a column reader complained that he was having a problem with whitefly infestation. He had tried malathion and other chemical pesticides, but nothing seemed to control them. Whiteflies, found ...

Final Thoughts

Whiteflies are hemipterans that typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves. They are classified in the family Aleyrodidae, the only family in the superfamily Aleyrodoidea. More than 1550 whitefly species have been described. WHAT ARE WHITEFLIES? Despite its name, whitefly is not a true fly, but is closely related to aphids, mealybugs, and scale. These soft-bodied winged insects feed on plant sap, causing leaf damage and a host of other problems.

Whiteflies often congregate on fresh growth and the undersides of plant leaves or around leaf veins, but they also fly up in swarms when disturbed. If you suspect your plants are infested, gently shake the leaves. If small, white insects fly out, chances are good you have a whitefly problem.