Whitefly pressure is intensifying in regions across south Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations have increased significantly in central Florida, reaching moderate to elevated levels in older plants of squash and cucumber.
High levels of nymphs and eggs are also being observed, which indicates the potential for a population boom. Moderate levels are also reported in tomato and peppers.
Respondents in southwest Florida report high populations in all crops and in most locations. Populations are moderate in various crops around the Everglades Agricultural Area.
Whitefly populations continue to increase in tomato in fields along the east coast, though they are not problematic in cucumbers.
High levels of whitefly pressure is also reported in most crops in Homestead, Florida. Populations continue to increase in fields with old or abandoned crops that are no longer being maintained. This has led to increased virus instances, silver leaf and pale pods, depending on the crop.
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