Whitefly control

The Pest

The glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a familiar pest, attacking a wide range of greenhouse crops.  It feeds on the plant sap reducing plant vigour and can multiply rapidly.  It can also transmit viruses and the honeydew produced can encourage the growth of "sooty moulds" which reduce the plants photosynthetic ability and may affect the quality of fruit and flowers.
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Biological Controls

» ENCSURE (fc) Encarsia formosa in units of 1000 on card
» ENCSURE (f) para shooter system Encarsia formosa in units of 1000 or 5000 loose pupae
» ERETSURE (e) and (ec) Eretmocerus eremicus in units of 1000 or 5000 as loose pupae (e) or on card (ec)
» ENERSURE (fe) Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus in units of 5000 loose pupae
» MACROSURE (c) Macrolophus caliginosus in units of 250 nymphs or adults 

Encsure (f) and (fc)

Encarsia formosa is a parasitic wasp used to control the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, in a range of protected crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, ornamentals and strawberries. Encarsia are introduced as black parasitized whitefly pupae, from which the adult wasps emerge.

Encarsia lay their eggs in the developing whitefly larvae, resulting in the parasitized pupae appearing in the crop. Adult female Encarsia emerge from these black pupae and seek young whitefly larvae in which to lay their eggs.  Encarsia  are most effective between 20 to 25°C. 

Egg to adult takes about 3 weeks at 21°C.  Encarsia work best at low pest densities and should be released preventatively before whiteflies build up. Encarsia is available in units of 1000 on card or in units of 1000 and 5000 as loose pupae.

Directions for Use Encsure (f)

Directions for Use Encsure (fc)

Eretsure (e) and (ec)

Eretmocerus eremicus is a small (0.5-0.6 mm) parasitic wasp used to control tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum.  Adult females are lemon-yellow, whilst males are brownish-yellow.  Female wasps are very mobile and prefer to lay single eggs beneath second or third instar larvae. The parasitised pupae turn yellow. 

Adults also feed on whitefly scales, killing them.  At an average 23°C, egg to adult takes 17-18 days with the pupal stage 8 of these.  At 17°C a generation takes 40 days.  Eretmocerus  is useful when high temperatures above 30°C adversely affect the establishment of Encarsia formosa and in crops such as Poinsettia that are at risk from Bemisia.  Eretmocerus is also more tolerant to pesticide use than Encarsia.  

Through most of the season under UK conditions, Encarsia is recommended.  It is recommended that Eretmocerus is used in combination with Encarsia.  Eretmocerus is available in units of 5000 and 1000 as loose pupae or on card.

Directions for Use Eretsure (e)

Directions for Use Eretsure (ec)

Enersure (fe)

A mix of Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus (see above) as parasitized whitefly pupae.

Directions for Use

Macrosure (c)

Macrolophus caliginosus is a predatory mirid bug.  It attacks all stages of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).  Although whitefly are the preferred prey it will also predate several other pests including spider mites, aphids and moth eggs. 

Macrolophus caliginosus adults are bright green in colour with red eyes, long green antennae and wings.  They are up to 6mm in length with long legs to allow it to move quickly.  The wingless nymphs are yellowish green to green.  Macrolophus is mainly found on plants of the Compositae and Solanaceae families in which the adults lay their eggs.  Development is relatively slow, one generation taking 30 days and 50 days at 25oC and 20oC.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Macrolophus can suck plant sap in the absence of other food.  Economic damage to tomatoes is rare but the coincidence of the following conditions can result in disturbance of fruit set: high numbers of Macrolophus per plant, little prey present, weak fruit setting, tomato cultivar (cherry and smaller truss tomatoes more susceptible).  This product will only be supplied for use in tomato crops and a disclaimer must be signed by the customer (a copy of the disclaimer is available on request).

Directions for Use