According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, adult whiteflies are in abundance in melons, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers around the Immokalee, Florida area. Immature whiteflies are active in older plantings.
Wind, rain and cold temperatures knocked them back for a few days, but are expected to worsen again once temperatures improve.
Whiteflies are present in pepper, tomato and eggs along the east coast, with pressure being mostly low to moderate.
Respondents around the Homestead, Florida area indicate that whiteflies are increasing. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is widespread in tomato.
Preventative soil applications of either imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, flupyradifurone or cyanatraniliprole should be used preventatively in tomato and cucurbits.
Scouting is essential in management of silverleaf whitefly. The thresholds include: 0-3 true leaves, 10 adults per plant; and 3-7 true leaves, 1 adult per leaflet. If the source of whiteflies is believed to be tomato or melons where the virus is present, the threshold will be lower.
Sanitation remains a top priority for managing populations, TYLCV incidences and insecticide resistance. Growers should terminate fall plantings before planting spring crops.
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