Whitefly parasitoid (Eretmocerus) for silverleaf whitefly
Silverleaf (tobacco) whitefly is the pest this wasp is chosen for: Encarsia formosa handles Bemisia poorly, and UMass recommends Eretmocerus for it on poinsettia. It stays useful when the house runs warm, and parasitised Bemisia scales turn beige to light brown about two weeks after the egg is laid. Remove yellow sticky cards before release and wait 3–4 days after an insect growth regulator or other spray (UMass).
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.
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
- Amblyseius swirskiiPredatory mite · 25–100 /m² per release (UF/IFAS); Koppert's range runs to 300 /m²; 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 · 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)