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Tomato
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â ModerateA cloud of tiny white insects disturbed from leaf undersides â whiteflies, which also spread tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
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Pests
Whiteflies on Tomato Plants
Commonly affects: Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)
Tiny white moth-like insects fly up in a cloud when the plant is disturbed, clustering on the underside of upper leaves. Sticky honeydew coats lower foliage, often followed by black sooty mould, and heavily infested plants weaken and yellow.
Potential Causes
- 1Warm conditions, especially in greenhouses or protected growing environments
- 2Introduction from infected transplants or nearby host plants
- 3Whiteflies also acting as a vector for tomato yellow leaf curl virus
Solution Steps
- 1Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult populations.
- 2Spray the underside of leaves thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly.
- 3Introduce Encarsia formosa parasitic wasps for biological control in greenhouse settings.
- 4Remove and destroy heavily infested lower leaves to reduce the population reservoir.
Prevention Tip
Inspect the underside of leaves on new transplants before introducing them to your growing area â whiteflies establish quickly and are much easier to prevent than eliminate.
