Conditions Right For A Whitefly Population Explosion

MIAMI (CBS4) – South Florida's high summer heat and recent drought have made conditions right for an increase in a nuisance fly population.

The rugose spiraling whitefly was first discovered on a gumbo limbo tree in Miami-Dade County in 2009. Since then rugose spiraling whitefly populations have spread from Monroe to Palm Beach counties.

So what is a whitefly? They are small, winged insects that typically feed on the underside of leaves with "needle-like" mouthparts. Whiteflies can seriously injure host plants by sucking nutrients from the plant causing wilting, yellowing, stunting, leaf drop, or even death. As the whitefly strips nutrients from the plant it secretes a sticky goo which can damage car paint, patio furniture and can impair chlorination in swimming pools.

Here's a list of host plants:
* Gumbo Limbo
* Black Olive
* Copperleaf
* Broadleaf Arrowhead
* Cocoplum
* Brazilian Pepper
* Wax Myrtle
* Live Oak
* Mango

Scientists at the Miami-Dade/University of Florida agriculture extension office say high summer temperatures mean the insect can reproduce more quickly. A recent drought has aggravated the problem by making pesticides ineffective.

This species is different from the ficus whitefly that defoliated ficus hedges throughout the area several years ago.

There are more than 75 different whiteflies reported in Florida.

For more information or to report the insect in your neighborhood, contact the UF/Miami-Dade County Extension office at (305) 248-3311.