It appears that 2007 is another challenging year for whitefly control. Growers in several parts of the U.S. have reported resistant whiteflies, and/or increased numbers of whiteflies.

Whiteflies are a common pest of many crops, including ornamentals.  However, over time they can become resistant, or even immune, to chemicals which once worked to control them. 

Scientists in the field and on the Ad Hoc Whitefly Task Force, which is led by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, advise growers to watch their spray programs carefully to be sure they are working, says SAF's Lin Schmale, senior director of government relations. "It is extremely important that growers who notice apparent resistance in whitefly populations send whitefly samples for biotype identification," she says.

Schmale adds that Task Force scientists have developed information about which pest control measures work best in various situations, and growers need to take advantage of that knowledge.

For up-to-date information on which pest control methods will be most effective at different stages of crop growth, visit the "Management Program for Whiteflies on Propagated Ornamentals" Web site. The site also provides information on where to send samples. Growers also can contact their local extension agent or university expert for more information.  
 
In 2005, SAF joined with representatives of the cotton and vegetable industries and with state and federal regulators to form the Ad Hoc Whitefly Task Force, which has worked since then to develop more data on best practices, grower education and inter-industry cooperation. Schmale says grower cooperation is essential if propagator, scientific research and other Task Force efforts are to succeed.

For more information, contact Lin Schmale, lschmale@safnow.org.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

 

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