Whitefly populations vary in areas across South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Watermelon fields in central Florida are experiencing low to moderate numbers. Moderate levels were also reported in squash. In tomato, reports indicate whiteflies are at three or less per plants, while others showed populations increasing to high levels over the previous week.
Populations have dropped in recent weeks in Southwest Florida, due to afternoon showers. Low to very low populations are being reported in tomato and melons. Reports in Homestead, Florida, show high levels and increasing in okra, while levels are low but increasing in eggplant.
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, whitefly management later in the season depends on early suppression of populations. Growers should be aggressive with the best systemic materials like Venom, Sivanto, Prime and Verimark early in the season.
Soil applications of either imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, flupyradifurone or cyanatraniliprole should be used preventatively in tomato and cucurbits.
Effective cultural controls include avoiding planting next to older, whitefly-infested crops; use UV-reflected mulches; and ensure fields are weed free, as they can be hosts for whiteflies.
Proper scouting is essential to managing silverleaf whitefly.