2 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Numerous indoor plants as well as several annuals, perennials and vegetables.

Vegetable

• Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Severe infestation may cause plant damage such as mottling and yellowing of leaves as well as a reduction of vegetable yields. Whitefly (covered by a white waxy powder) adults are small "dandruff" size insects. When plants are disturbed, the whiteflies flutter around the plant and soon return to the plant to continue feeding.

Whitefly species that are damaging to cultivated plants are not cold hardy in Illinois. To survive our winter they must be on plants indoors (house plants, herbs and greenhouse crops). The insects (usually in the egg stage when they are difficult to see) are often shipped north on flower and vegetable transplants grown in the south. The insects tend to feed mostly on the lower side of the leaves. Eggs are primarily laid on the upper leaves of the plant, but the clear, tiny, oval nymphs occur primarily on the lower leaves.

On indoor plants one can try using yellow sticky traps to capture the adults. These work much better if the foliage is disturbed daily, causing the whiteflies to fly off of the plant. Infestations can also be reduced by discarding heavily infested plants.

Outdoors, use suggested insecticides according to all label directions and precautions. Insecticidal soap, summer oil, and chemical insecticides are effective.

On vegetables, be sure to follow the recommended time interval between treating the plants and harvesting the crop. If there is no pre-harvest interval,DO NOT use that insecticide on the food crop.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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