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Insects on Goldfish plant

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From: Ananda Wimberger City: FORT COLLINS, CO
Hello! I have about a 2 year old goldfish houseplant that is very small an has never bloomed. Recently there has been an infestation of some type of pest. they are small but definitely visible without a microscope. Some have wings and can fly but don't tend to go too far from the plant. The wings are clear or white and they appear to have six legs. It seems like they are causing leaf curl and leaf death an I fear it will soon kill the plant. Any idea of what these pests could be? Thank you so much!
	Extension Message From: Richard Hentschel Extension Educator, Horticulture DuPage/Kane/Kendall Unit hentsche@illinois.edu
I suspect your Goldfish plant has Whiteflys based on your description of the insect. Repeated cleaning of the foliage will dislodge the various life stages present. The whole lifecycle from egg to adult is about 16 days. Repeated cleaning (more than once a week until you do not see any stages of the insect)is necessary to break the life cycle. If you have other houseplants, be on the lookout for Whitefly on them too. There are houseplant insecticides available too. Use them carefully and in a well ventilated area.
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