This is a public service announcement about the ficus whitefly infestation in coconut creek and broward county florida. Dec 02, 2014 green island ficus microcarpa is becoming a popular shrub in south florida due in part to the replacement of ficus benjamina its closely reflated cousin that is notorious for whitefly infestations. R egular whitefly treatments are important in order to protect the leaves of your plants from these pests. This family includes other fruitbearing trees like jackfruit, breadfruit, and of course mulberry. Whiteflies lay their eggs on the undersides of the leaves. Deerfield beach ficus whitefly treatment back in 2007, the ficus whitefly, or singhiella simplex, was first observed in homestead, florida, and since then has spread into 16 florida counties. The ficus whitefly singhiella simplex singh hemiptera.
Florida are the silverleaf whitefly, fig or ficus whitefly. There are still ficus hedges defoliating and dying from ficus whitefly attacks in the naples area. However like most any exotic plant species in florida it has its own share of pests and diseases. Whiteflies in the landscape catharine mannion ufifas tropical research and education center. Gilman2 introduction the dense, rapid growth of small, dark green, overlapping leaves on slender stems makes creeping fig a favorite vine to grow on walls where it lends a lacy pattern in its early stages of growth fig. Doug caldwell with the ufifas collier county extension reports there are increasing numbers of good insect populations that kill the ficus whitefly, specifically a small parasitic wasp a newly discovered species, yet to be named, green lacewings and blue lady. The life cycle of the ficus whitefly is approximately one month. There are more than 1,500 species worldwide and over 75 reported in florida. Jan 04, 2012 with all of the recent discussion of ficus whitefly, i thought it was important to mention a pest of ficus that is a little bit different. Nitida and the binnendijkii cultivars may be ok, too as the whitefly really does not prefer them.
This pest was identified as the fig whitefly, singhiella simplex, and is a new us continental record. Green island ficus microcarpa is becoming a popular shrub in south florida due in part to the replacement of ficus benjamina its closely reflated cousin that is notorious for whitefly infestations. There are, most assuredly, other unreported ficus hedges infested with. New outbreak sites are listed at the end of this article. Ficus microcarpa ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants. Aleyrodidae, new to this continent, was reported attacking ficus trees and hedges in miamidade county. Figs are members of the mulberry family, moraceae, which is one of the largest woody plant families. The qbiotype is of particular concern to florida growers due to its high pesticide resistance. It was first reported in the us in florida 2007 and then in california 2012.
The fig whitefly a new pest in south florida florida department. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution authorized to provide. Edible fig is a deciduous plant that requires about 100 hours of chilling temperatures to grow and set fruit. There are at least 10 species of ficus in the state, only two of which are native. The uf ifas extension miamidade county is the liaison between research conducted by scientists at the university of florida and other universities and our local community. The usda recommends an integrated program that focuses on prevention and relies on cultural and biological control methods when possible. Ficus whiteflies are on the move, but some defenses have been. The ficus whitefly destruction was an example of what can happen when we have a monoculture one plant species in a hedge. Uf ifas center for aquatic and invasive plants 7922 nw 71 street. When properly maintained, ficus in the area are thick and beautiful, making them the perfect privacy hedge. Facts about fig whiteflies fig whitefly identification. The family often occurs in older literature as aleurodidae, but that is a junior synonym and accordingly incorrect in terms of the international standards for zoological nomenclature.
Ficus whiteflies are on the move, but some defenses have. In 2007, a whitefly singhiella simplex singh hemiptera. Jun 22, 2018 when designing a privacy hedge, its a good idea to use multiple species of shrubs. In an effective ipm program, chemical control options should not be the first. Whiteflies on landscape ornamentals1 town of palm beach. The fig whitefly a new pest in south florida midflorida. Apr 27, 2020 ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a whitefly infestation. Recently, a new pest was reported attacking ficus trees and hedges in miami, florida. The most obvious whitefly feeding damage symptoms are stem blanching, chlorotic spots, leaf yellowing and shedding, andat high population levelsplant death. As twigs reach about 2yearsold, larger mature leaves. Department of agriculture, cooperative extension service, university of florida, ifas, florida a. Top whitefly is the larger rugose spiraling whitefly and the ficus whitefly is below it. The most affected ficus is the popular ornamental ficus benjamina or weeping fig. Damage by other landscapeattacking insects pales in comparison to our new invader, the ficus whitefly.
The greenhouse whitefly is an important and most persistent pest of many ornamentals, particularly poinsettia, as well as bedding plants such as ageratum, fuchsia and salvia. This one is weeping ficus thrips gynaikothrips uzeli. There are some species of ficus that, while infested, do not get the kind of severe leaf drop that all benjamina cultivars will. The fig whitefly a new pest in south florida tropical research. This pest was identified as the fig ficus whitefly. In many crops, the damage caused by bemisia tabaci is indirect, since this species of whitefly is responsible for transmitting many devastating viruses.
If you detect fig whitefly, you may want to consider a twostep treatment. Green island ficus should be used much more but many people dont know this handsome, awardwinning shrub thats prized for its lowmaintenance qualities. When whiteflies attack, they rapidly defoliate ficus hedges and remove the privacy you once had. Ficus whitefly singhiella simplex fig whiteflyhosts and damage. Other species of ficus hedges and trees are being attacked as well. Ficus whitefly immature stages the immature stages typically found on the underside of leaves tend to be flat, oval and can vary in color or transparent the pupal case is often one of the most visible stages. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with nondiscrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status. Ficus benjamina ufifas center for aquatic and invasive. Florida whitefly is a partnership between the university of florida uf, ifas extension, department of entomology and nematology, florida department of agriculture and consumer servicesdivision of plant industry, ufifas extensionbroward county, ufifas extensionlee county, ufifas extensionmiamidade county, ufifasextensionpalm beach.
It was confirmed in naples for the first time in january 2009 at several addresses in the shirley street area. Rugose spiraling whitefly the rugose spiraling whitefly is also relatively new to south florida, first being discovered on gumbo limbo trees in early 2009. Feeding may cause yellowing of leaves, defoliation and branch dieback. Ficus whitefly remains a major problem, and ongoing research is underway at the university of floridas tropical research and education center in homestead. As you know, ficus, rugose spiraling, and other whiteflies have become an. They are usually found in clusters on the undersides of leaves.
Cooperative extension program, and boards of county commissioners cooperating. Whiteflies are softbodied, winged insects that easily blend with their surroundings. University cooperative extension program, and boards. Ficus benjamina ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants. The florida whitefly website is a result of a partnership between the university of florida uf, ifas extension, department of entomology and nematology, florida department of agriculture and consumer servicesdivision of plant industry, ufifas extensionlee, miamidade, and palm beach counties, southern plant diagnostic network, ipm florida. Green island ficus pest control on ficus microcarpa. This is not the same whitefly as the ficus whitefly and is not yet known to cause death of its hosts. The ficus whitefly or singhiella simplex lives on the underside of leaves and robs the plant of vital nutrients. Infestation signs are leaves turning yellow and dropping, leaving trees looking bare and spindly in a short period. Cooperative extension program, and boards of county. A new whitefly, the ficus whitefly singhiella simplex has been recently reported in the phoenix area infesting ficus trees.
While all whiteflies cause economic damage, the silverleaf whitefly bemesia tabaci is the most significant whitefly in florida. Strangers in paradise, impact and management of nonindigenous species in florida, chapter 2. These whiteflies are causing complete defoliation of ficus benjamina, including mature trees. Ficus whitefly, singhiella simplex, was one of the most. Identification and biology of nonnative plants in floridas natural areas second edition, by k. The research is designed to determine how to better manage the ficus whitefly, and the seemingly related decline of ficus benjamina hedges in southern florida. Ficus whitefly pest control services in west palm beach, fl. North, central, south not a problem species undocumented. Watson2 introduction this is a huge tree growing to 60 feet tall and 60 to 70 feet wide fig. Currently, this pest can be found in 16 florida counties brevard. India rubber fig, india rubber tree, indian rubberplant, rubber tree synonyms. Ficus whitefly nymphs on upper leaf surface figure 2.
Unfortunately though, this species of whitefly attacks a much wider variety of host. Ficus whitefly arrived in the miami river area in 2007 and has made its way throughout south florida. This whitefly has been most commonly found infesting weeping fig ficus benjamina but has also been seen on the strangler fig f. Ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a whitefly infestation. Ficus aurea ufifas center for aquatic and invasive plants. This whitefly has been most commonly found infesting weeping fig ficus benjamina but has also been seen on f. T network systems operates a wide area network wan that extends to 90 offcampus units 67 county extension offices and 22 research centers and 44 oncampus units college of veterinary medicine, school of forest resources and conservation, 22 academic departments and 20 support units. Doug caldwell with the uf ifas collier county extension reports there are increasing numbers of good insect populations that kill the ficus whitefly, specifically a small parasitic wasp a newly discovered species, yet to.
This pest is found on several ficus species throughout florida and beyond, but it is of most concern on ficus. Creeping fig university of florida, institute of food. Creeping fig ficus pumila is a fastgrowing vine that can be used to soften the look of concrete garden walls. The florida whitefly website is a result of a partnership between the university of florida uf, ifas extension, department of entomology and nematology, florida department of agriculture and consumer servicesdivision of plant industry, uf ifas extensionlee, miamidade, and palm beach counties, southern plant diagnostic network, ipm florida.
When designing a privacy hedge, its a good idea to use multiple species of shrubs. Creeping fig university of florida, institute of food and. Florida whitefly is a partnership between the university of florida uf, ifas extension, department of entomology and nematology, florida department of agriculture and consumer servicesdivision of plant industry, uf ifas extensionbroward county, uf ifas extensionlee county, uf ifas extensionmiamidade county, uf ifas extensionpalm beach. Extension program, and boards of county commissioners cooperating. With all of the recent discussion of ficus whitefly, i thought it was important to mention a pest of ficus that is a little bit different. Doug caldwell with the uf ifas collier county extension reports there are increasing numbers of good insect populations that kill the ficus whitefly, specifically a small parasitic wasp a newly discovered species, yet to be named, green lacewings and blue lady beetles. Silverleaf whitefly has multiple biotypes, which are genetic variations of the same species. Some of the most economically important species in florida are the sweetpotato whitefly, also called the silverleaf whitefly bemisia tabaci figure 1, the ficus whitefly singhiella simplex figure 2, and the citrus whitefly dialeurodes citri figure 3.
Now a serious pest, the ficus whitefly affects the aesthetics and health of valuable ficus hedges and trees. Ficus whitefly flier updated 08 ufifas extension university of. The fig whitefly singhiella simplex singh hemiptera. The lifespan of an adult whitefly is between of 6 to 60 days. Pdf document with images of plant damage, whitefly life cycle stages, and natural predators. Whitefly control is difficult and complex, as whiteflies rapidly develop resistance to chemical pesticides. University cooperative extension program, and boards of county commissioners cooperating.
The plants wandering stems and small leaves create an interesting lacy pattern as the vine grows across the wall. Ficus elastica ufifas assessment university of florida. The first step is to spray the hedge to immediately kill the adult whitefly population. A new species of whitefly has been found infesting these plants. Uf, ifas extension, department of entomology and nematology, florida department of. Dec 01, 2008 this is a public service announcement about the ficus whitefly infestation in coconut creek and broward county florida.
University of florida, ifas, tropical research and education center, homestead, fl. You can view the entire april 10th whitefly management program polycom recording here. A single whitefly can lay between 160 up to 400 eggs in her lifetime. The leaves of ficus trees infested with whiteflies begin to turn yellow before the leaves drop, often in large quantities. The leaves of ficus trees infested with whiteflies begin to turn. High populations are able to stunt the growth of young trees. Many people are in south florida to retire and relax, and others have busy, working lifestyles, so low maintenance shrubs are always high on the wish list. Ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a. Monitor your ficus plants for early signs of an infestation, because it will be easier to manage the pest before it builds high populations and causes major damage. Shrub care and ficus whitefly control natural pest control.
Jun 22, 2018 while all whiteflies cause economic damage, the silverleaf whitefly bemesia tabaci is the most significant whitefly in florida. Aleyrodidae, an exotic pest native to asia, was first reported in arizona from the phoenix area in march 2015. The dense, rounded canopy and gracefully drooping branches of weeping fig made it quite popular as a landscape tree until recently. Ifas information technology systems, itns, university of florida. Sep 24, 2009 damage by other landscapeattacking insects pales in comparison to our new invader, the ficus whitefly. These whiteflies pose a lethal threat to many local ficus hedges. Ficus whitefly center for invasive species research. The institute of food and agricultural sciences ifas is an equal opportunity institution. India rubber fig, india rubber tree, indian rubberplant, rubber tree.
Whiteflies on a penny note abe lincolns ear to right. Protect your ficus trees with our whitefly treatments. Whiteflies are small, winged insects that belong to the order hemiptera which also includes aphids scales, mealybugs, and bugs. Ficus whitefly guaranteed control and prevention native. Ficus lyrata ufifas assessment university of florida. However, this pest is of only occasional importance on tropical foliage plants, unless they are grown in accompaniment with a major whitefly host. Apr 27, 2016 deerfield beach ficus whitefly treatment back in 2007, the ficus whitefly, or singhiella simplex, was first observed in homestead, florida, and since then has spread into 16 florida counties.
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