Whiteflies

What it looks like

Tiny white moth-like insects flutter up when you brush against the plant. Look under the leaves and you'll often find small, flat, immobile nymphs stuck in place. Leaves may feel sticky (honeydew) or develop black sooty mold from that residue.

Often mistaken for: aphids, scale insects, or sooty mold from other sap-feeding pests

When it shows up in the Triangle

Whiteflies are a warm-season problem and build up from spring through fall, with several generations overlapping in one season.

Where you’ll see it

Common on gardenia, hibiscus, azalea, and many other landscape ornamentals.

What you can do

• Check leaf undersides regularly, especially on gardenia, hibiscus, and azalea
• Hang yellow sticky cards near plants to monitor and catch adults
• Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizing, which encourages soft new growth whiteflies prefer
• Encourage natural predators and parasitic wasps by minimizing unnecessary insecticide use
• Rinse leaves with a strong stream of water to knock down populations
• Prune out heavily infested leaves when practical