BeneficialGreenhouse whitefly
Whitefly parasitoid (Eretmocerus) for greenhouse whitefly
Eretmocerus eremicus · whitefly parasitoid
Against greenhouse whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly is a host, and Biobest advises combining Eretmocerus with Encarsia formosa, and mixed cards are sold. Eretmocerus earns its place in hot crops, where Koppert and Biobest say it stays active above 86 °F (30 °C), although UMass says it is inactive above that. Parasitised greenhouse whitefly scales turn yellow, not black, so do not count them as failures.
Rate1–10 /m² per release, weekly
TimingAlongside or instead of Encarsia when the house runs hot
Temperature77–84 °F (25–29 °C) best; needs a 68 °F (20 °C) daily average
macro · whitefly parasitoid (eretmocerus) on greenhouse whitefly
The pestGreenhouse whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorumClouds of white adults, sticky leaves, sooty mouldFull pest profile →Before you order
Released weekly on cards or as loose pupae in warm greenhouse crops; the wasp to use for silverleaf (tobacco) whitefly, and alongside Encarsia when the house runs hot. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Eretmocerus eremicus 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
- 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 · 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)