Plant guide:ðŋ Colocasia (Taro / Elephant Ear)
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Pests
Whiteflies on Colocasia
Commonly affects: Colocasia esculenta (Taro / Elephant Ear)
Small white, moth-like insects fly up in a cloud when the plant is disturbed, with sticky honeydew residue and sometimes sooty mould developing on leaves.
Potential Causes
- 1Whiteflies establishing on leaf undersides, particularly in warm, humid conditions
- 2Introduction from a nearby infested plant
- 3Dense foliage providing ideal shelter for growing populations
Solution Steps
- 1Use yellow sticky traps to catch and monitor adult whiteflies
- 2Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides where whiteflies congregate and lay eggs
- 3Isolate the affected plant from other houseplants until cleared
- 4Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for several cycles, since whitefly eggs hatch continuously
Prevention Tip
Check leaf undersides regularly, since this is where whiteflies congregate, lay eggs, and are most effectively targeted with treatment.
