Silver leaf White fly
Damage
The silver leaf white fly Bemisia tabaci causes direct feeding damage to watermelon and fruit contamination via honeydew deposits that support growth of sooty moulds. Silver leaf white fly is also a vector of two virus diseases (Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder and Cucurbit leaf crumple) that affect watermelon yield and quality.
Control Measures
In cases of serious infestations, it may be a good idea to replace infested plants with plants that are not attacked by white flies. Destroy infested weeds around the area. Pig weed, ground cherry, and bindweed are known to support silverleaf white flies. Transplants should be inspected for white- flies before bringing them into an unaffected area. Vegetable plants should be destroyed at harvest to eliminate potential hosts. On the mainland, planting times may be adjusted so that seasonal high populations of silverleaf white flies or migrating silverleaf white flies can be avoided.
Damage
The silver leaf white fly Bemisia tabaci causes direct feeding damage to watermelon and fruit contamination via honeydew deposits that support growth of sooty moulds. Silver leaf white fly is also a vector of two virus diseases (Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder and Cucurbit leaf crumple) that affect watermelon yield and quality.
Control Measures
In cases of serious infestations, it may be a good idea to replace infested plants with plants that are not attacked by white flies. Destroy infested weeds around the area. Pig weed, ground cherry, and bindweed are known to support silverleaf white flies. Transplants should be inspected for white- flies before bringing them into an unaffected area. Vegetable plants should be destroyed at harvest to eliminate potential hosts. On the mainland, planting times may be adjusted so that seasonal high populations of silverleaf white flies or migrating silverleaf white flies can be avoided.