Whitefly numbers remain high across most of the South Florida area, according to the latest release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Medium populations are observed in central Florida, though they are increasing. Population levels vary from low to high across Southwest Florida, depending on the crop and based off of scouting reports. Some farms are seeing high whitefly pressure across most locations, while some are holding steady in the moderate range. As a result of increased whitefly numbers, squash vein yellowing virus severity is increasing as well.
Whitefly numbers vary along the east coast, though some scouts are reporting low adult numbers, whereas some are reporting high numbers of nymphs and adults.
Dak Seal, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist at TREC, is seeing silverleaf whitefly, from moderate to high levels in squash, in Homestead, Florida. He is also reporting low to medium numbers in eggplant and cabbage and low infestations in pepper and edamame.
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