Pests
Whiteflies
Identify Whiteflies: symptoms, possible causes, prevention, and practical actions for 8 affected plants. Yellowing and dropping of leaves
Editorial diagnosis
Diagnosis overview
Whiteflies are small sap-sucking insects on leaf undersides, especially in warm sheltered sites and greenhouses.
In gardens, Whiteflies can occur on plants including Physalis peruviana, Eggplant, Satureja, chili pepper. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Berries, Fruit vegetables, Herbs.
The recorded risk level is medium. Act early when white insects fly up and leaves become sticky.
Inspect leaf undersides, shoot tips, and the soil around the plant at different times of day. Eggs, larvae, droppings, webbing, or slime trails are often more diagnostic than one damaged leaf.
A common mistake is to treat feeding damage without checking the animal, eggs, larvae, time of activity, and affected plant parts.
At a glance
Plants
8
Category
Berries, Fruit vegetables, Herbs
Risk
medium
Typical signs
- White insects fly up
- Honeydew
- Leaf undersides colonised
- Yellowish leaves
Possible confusion
- Similar feeding damage: Always check for insects, droppings, slime, mines, holes, or residues. The damage pattern alone is often not enough.
Immediate actions
- Inspect affected parts and remove where useful
- Stabilise the plant and reduce stress
- Keep monitoring the planting
Prevention
- Encourage vigorous plants
- Monitor regularly
- Support beneficials and diversity
- Adapt care to weather and site
Affected plants
Guides
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