BeneficialGreenhouse whitefly
Whitefly ladybird for greenhouse whitefly
Delphastus catalinae · predatory ladybird
Against greenhouse whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly is prey too, and the beetle is used on dense hot spots that Encarsia cannot catch up with. UConn reports that it does not perform well on greenhouse tomatoes, and it needs high whitefly numbers to reproduce, so treat it as a hot-spot supplement to parasitoids rather than a preventive release.
Rate10 per infested plant or 100 per hot spot, weekly for 3–4 weeks
TimingOnly once whitefly is established; onto hot spots
Temperature72–80 °F (22–27 °C) best; suppliers quote working ranges as wide as 61–95 °F (16–35 °C); does not fly below 55 °F (13 °C)
macro · whitefly ladybird on greenhouse whitefly
The pestGreenhouse whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorumClouds of white adults, sticky leaves, sooty mouldFull pest profile →Before you order
Released onto whitefly hot spots once whiteflies are established; a clean-up predator for heavy patches, used alongside parasitoids rather than instead of them. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Delphastus catalinae profile.
Release calculator
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for greenhouse whitefly
- Encarsia formosaWhitefly parasitoid · 1–10 /m² per release, weekly until control is achieved
- Amblyseius swirskiiPredatory mite · 25–100 /m² per release (UF/IFAS range), or sachets
- Eretmocerus eremicusWhitefly parasitoid · 1–10 /m² per release, weekly
- Big-eyed bugsWild predator · wild, attract it
- Dicyphus hesperusPredatory bug · 500 per acre (Arbico); a Canadian trial released 1.25 adults per plant, three weeks after the whitefly
- Beauveria bassiana strain GHAMicrobial insecticide (fungus) · Label rate — ½–1 qt per 100 gal (BotaniGard ES / Mycotrol ES) or ½–1 lb (22WP)