Re: "spiral whitefly"
That sounds like the one. I remember when they "snowed" from Teminalia
catapa (Indian Almond) trees. Everything got sticky from the honeydew, and
black from sooty mold.
>Oh no, Gary -- if your spiral whitefly is the same as the giant whitefly we
>have been battling for the past two or three years, all I can say is WATCH
>OUT!!! This is a HUGE pest. Here in Southern California we have been
>battling a giant whitefly that lays its eggs in a spiral pattern mostly on
>leaves with smooth surfaces. This critter synthesizes long sticky threads
>that hang from the undersides of the leaves like sticky white cotton candy.
>Soon the infected leaves and whatever leaves are beneath the infected
>leaves get a black mold growing on the sticky residue. It is most fond of
>hibiscus (killed two of mine), some acacias, mulberry -- I've also seen it
>on citrus, banana, and even pepper plant leaves. Some plants seem to be
>able to continue growing despite the infestation while others like the
>hibiscus are just devastated. Big agricultural problem, especially in warm
>winter areas.
>
>UC Agricultural extension has been releasing parasitic wasps (if I recall
>correctly) the last two years hoping to get the buggers under control.
>Last summer was not as bad as the one before, but of course, my most
>preferred host plants were gone.
I think the ones in Hawaii were best controlled by a small ladybird beetle.
I don't recall anymore, if the wasps that were effective on the greenhouse
whiteflie were very effective onthis species. You may have a problem as
there are whitefiles endemic to CA and many of these parasitoids/predators
are not that host specific (i.e. ladybird beetle)
>
>You can look this one up on the internet, under "giant whitefly." Also, UC
>Ag extension has put out some pamphlets on it (probably avaialble on line
>as well).
>
>By the way, their recommended treatment is to wash the eggs, flies, and
>sticky threads off with plain water in a sharp stream. Since we had an
>exceptionally cold winter in So Cal, I wonder if the flies will appear
>later in the season than they have previously..... Haven't seen them yet!
insecticidal soap in a hose end sprayer, gets you the sharp stream and
something to get through the waxy coating of the larvae, pupae, etc...
>
>Nan
>
>
>
>>Are you familiar with a 'spiral whitefly'? I found what apparently was
>>the spiral
>>egg mass on a Ti leaf from Hawaii the other day in the course of my work (I
>>have a part-time job as an agricultural quarantine inspector), and was
>>wondering how damaging it is, and what other plants it might harm besides
>>dracena. I had never seen anything like the little spiral before.
>>
>>Gary
>**********
>'''''''''''''''''''''''
>Nan Sterman
>San Diego County California
>Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
Mach T. Fukada
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