Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook

Pepper-Whitefly

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Image related to Pepper-Whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood
Immature pupa on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Pepper-Whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood
Egg(s) on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Pepper-Whitefly
Greenhouse whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood
Adult egg(s) on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Includes

Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vapariorum)
Silverleaf whitefly (Bemesia argentifolii)
Sweetpotato whitefly (Bemesia tabaci)

Pest description, crop damage and life history

See:

Common Pests of Vegetable Crops

Management-cultural control

Inspect new plants before purchase: infestations often are introduced. Encourage natural enemies such as ladybird beetles, spiders, and parasitic wasps. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which reduce populations of these.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

For best results, direct spray toward undersides of leaves. Read label application instructions carefully.

  • acetamiprid
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (usually as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • capsaicin-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • cyfluthrin
  • deltamethrin
  • esfenvalerate
  • gamma-cyhalothrin
  • horticultural oil-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • imidacloprid
  • kaolin-When applied as a spray to foliage and stems, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • permethrin
  • plant-derived essential oils (rosemary, peppermint, thyme etc.)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • acetamiprid (Assail 30SG) at 0.047 to 0.075 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per season. Limit 4 treatments.
  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.02 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/a per season.
  • beta-cyfluthrin/imidacloprid (Leverage 360) at 0.096 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.12 lb ai/a beta-cyfluthrin or 0.24 lb ai/a imidacloprid per season.
  • bifenthrin/avermectin (Athena) at 0.05 to 0.12 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Do not exceed 0.056 lb ai/a avermectin or 0.4 lb ai/a bifenthrin per season.
  • bifenthrin (Brigade 2EC) at 0.033 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a per season. Allow at least 7 days between applications.
  • bifenthrin/imidacloprid (Brigadier) at 0.04 to 0.15 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a imidacloprid and 0.2 lb ai/a bifenthrin. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not graze treated areas or cut for feed.
  • bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/a per season.
  • Chenopodium ambrosioides extract (Requiem 25EC) at 4 to 6 pints formulated product per acre. REI 4 hr. Use high rate when conditions are favorable for heavy pressure. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • chlorantraniliprole/thiamethoxam (Voliam Flexi) at 0.1 to 0.172 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • cyantraniliprole (Exirel) at 0.088 to 0.133 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days in field; 7 days in greenhouse. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per year.
  • cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL) at 0.036 to 0.054 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.22 lb ai/a per year.
  • cyfluthrin/imidacloprid (Leverage 2.7) at 0.11 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.17 lb ai/a cyfluthrin or 0.24 lb ai/a imidacloprid per year.
  • dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL) at 0.05 to 0.18 lb ai/a foliar and 0.23 to 0.27 lb ai/a for soil. PHI 1 day foliar and 21 days soil. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed per season 0.266 lb ai/a foliar or 0.536 lb ai/a for soil.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL) at 0.14 to 0.18 lb ai/a foliar; 0.27 to 0.37 lb ai/a soil. PHI 1 day foliar; 45 days soil. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/a per season.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro) at 0.25 to 0.5 lb ai/a soil, 0.047 to 0.079 lb ai/a foliar, 0.016 lb ai/10,000 greenhouse plants. Retreatment interval 5 days. PHI 21 days soil; 0 days foliar. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.5 lb ai/a soil per application or 0.24 lb ai/a foliar per season. Do not exceed 0.0156 lb ai/10,000 plants in planthouse.
  • imidacloprid (Provado, Prey) at 0.048 to 0.078 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do exceed 0.24 lb ai/a per season.
  • Metarhizium anisopliae (Met52 EC) at 40 to 80 fl oz/100 gal as drench or 8 to 64 fl oz/a foliar. PHI 0. REI 4 hr.
  • novaluron (Rimon 0.83EC) at 0.078 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.23 lb ai/a per season.
  • pyriproxyfen (Knack) at 0.054 to 0.067 lb ai/a. PHI 14 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.109 lb ai/a per season. Retreatment interval 14 days.
  • spiromesifen (Oberon 2EC) at 0.11 to 0.13 lb ai/a PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per season.
  • spirotetramat (Movento) at 0.06 to 0.08 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.16 lb ai/a per crop season.
  • sulfoxaflor (Closer SC) at 0.066 to 0.07 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 4 treatments. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/a per year.
  • thiamethoxam (Actara) at 0.047 to 0.086 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a per season.
  • thiamethoxam (Platinum) at 0.078 to 0.172 lb ai/a. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a per season.
  • thiamethoxam/chlorantraniliprole (Durivo) at 0.195 to 0.257 lb ai/a. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a of thiamethoxam or 0.2 lb ai/a of chlorantraniliprole per season.

Kaur, N. (Ed.). 2024 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook.
© Oregon State University.

Use pesticides safely!

  • Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.
  • Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).
  • Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

Trade-name products and services are mentioned as illustrations only. This does not mean that the participating Extension Services endorse these products and services or that they intend to discriminate against products and services not mentioned.