The fig whitefly, Singhiella simplex, was collected from Ficus benjamina in
“This is a major pest for ficus growing as hedges and trees,” said Lance Osborne, entomologist at
Osborne observed defoliation of several infested trees.
“We placed a few papaya banker plants in the area because Encarsia sopia has been reported as a natural enemy,” he said.
Other hosts include F. altissima Blume, F. bengalensis L. and F. racemosa L.
Plants with severe infestations will drop many of their leaves. If the foliage is disturbed, watch for small clouds of tiny white, gnatlike adult whiteflies flying from the foliage.
The body of the adult whitefly is yellow and the wings are white with a faint grey band toward the middle of the wing. Immature stages can be found on the underside of the leaves. The pupae are small, tan to light-green discs with red eyes measuring about 1.3 mm long and 1 mm wide.
“There is little literature on the biology of the fig whitefly,” said Greg Hodges, entomologist at Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “In
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