|
|
Cucurbits
> Year-Round IPM Program > Identifying Whiteflies
Cucurbits
Identifying Whiteflies
Proper identification of whitefly species in cucurbits is important because only silverleaf whitefly, and occasionally, greenhouse whitefly, represent the greatest damage potential to cucurbits.
You can distinguish whiteflies by examining fourth-instar nymphs (called pupae) with a hand lens. Use the photos below to help you with your identification.
Click
on photos to enlarge
Silverleaf whitefly pupae
Nymphs are convex or rounded in profile. From above they are
oval, whitish, soft, and unlike 4th instar greenhouse whitefly
nymphs do not have filaments.
|
Silverleaf whitefly
adult
Adults hold their wings rooflike over their bodies. The
wings do not meet in the back as they do in greenhouse whitefly
adults, but have a slight space between them.
|
Greenhouse whitefly with
nymphs
Nymphs
are elevated in profile with edges perpendicular like a
cake or hat box. They have many long waxy filaments around
the edge of their bodies.
|
Greenhouse whitefly adult
Adults
are very similar in appearance to silverleaf whitefly adults,
but hold their wings flatter over the back with no space
between the wings where they meet in the center.
|
Iris whitefly nymph
Have short, dense, waxy filaments around the edges. |
Iris whitefly adult
Iris whitefly adults hold their wings flat over their backs and have a dot on each wing.
|
Top of page
|
