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Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Management Program for Ornamental Plants

, , , , andLance Osborne

Release Date: 10/5/2021

Reviewed At: 2/12/2026

DOI: 10.32473/edis-in1171-2017

Agriculture

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), commonly known as silverleaf whitefly, is a polyphagous pest and listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. It is known to feed on more than 1000 plant species and vector over 120 plant-damaging viruses. This publication provides a management program for nursery and ornamental plant growers to aid in their efforts to minimize selection for insecticide resistance irrespective of whitefly biotype while helping to achieve top-quality plant materials.

About this Publication

This document is ENY989, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2017. Revised August 2021. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

Authors

Vivek Kumar
Vivek Kumar

former post doctoral associate, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center

Muhammad Z. Ahmed
Muhammad Z. Ahmed

former post doctoral associate, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Vero Beach, FL

Cristi Palmer
Cristi Palmer

supervisory PIS officer, APHIS-PPQ, Linden, NJ

Cindy L. McKenzie
Cindy L. McKenzie

United States Horticulture Research laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Lance Osborne
Lance Osborne
Contact
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, Integrated Pest Management, biological control of insects and mites, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

View Lance Osborne's Profile

Publication #ENY989

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Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The findings and conclusions in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.