Amblyseius swirskii for silverleaf whitefly
The mite eats whitefly eggs and the youngest nymphs, and in greenhouse cucumber it suppressed up to 99% of silverleaf whitefly nymphs where plants without it passed 200 per leaf (Lopez 2023). Eretmocerus parasitoids prefer second-instar nymphs, and UConn found the two together beat either alone. Koppert says it is not effective below 18 °C and must not be used on tomato. Koppert gives no reason; Lopez (2023) explains that the mite avoids tomato's glandular leaf hairs, which also poison it.
Before you order
Sprinkled onto the leaves or hung in slow-release sachets in warm crops, where it feeds on pollen as well as prey and can build up ahead of the pest. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Amblyseius swirskii profile.
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for silverleaf whitefly
- Eretmocerus eremicusWhitefly parasitoid · 1–10 /m² per release, weekly, at least 3 releases
- Delphastus catalinaePredatory ladybird · 10 per infested plant or 100 per hot spot, weekly for 3–4 weeks
- Big-eyed bugsWild predator · wild, attract it
- Dicyphus hesperusPredatory bug · 1–3 adults per plant weekly for 3 weeks (Florida trial)
- Beauveria bassiana strain GHAMicrobial insecticide (fungus) · Label rate — ½–1 qt per 100 gal (BotaniGard ES / Mycotrol ES) or ½–1 lb (22WP)