Whitefly infestations are increasing in some areas across southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Crop scouts in southwest Florida have observed whitefly numbers are up again following rainfall, as levels are moderate overall. Whitefly migrations have been reported from mature fields into younger fields in certain areas.
Pressure is increasing from low to moderate levels in eggplant along the east coast but is still insignificant in pepper fields.
Whitefly populations are increasing in all vegetable crops in the Homestead, Florida, area. Dak Seal, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist, has reported high levels of whitefly populations in squash, medium levels in eggplant and cabbage, and low levels in pepper.
According to Lisa Hickey, UF/IFAS Extension agent in central Florida, populations appear to have decreased.