South Florida pest and disease hotline | March 2023

Higher than normal levels of whiteflies are being reported in South West Florida. In some areas adults are present on all crops. In many places whitefly nymphs are starting to build and become high enough to create sooty mold. In the Homestead area, UF/IFAS entomologists report high whitefly populations on all crops. Scouts are reporting increasing whitefly pressure on vegetable crops with silverleaf symptoms showing on squash. Visit the hotline for whitefly vector management information.

In SouthWest Florida, aphid pressure is moderate to high depending on location. Colonies have been forming in watermelon and other vegetable crops. Visit the hotline for aphid management information.
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