Whiteflies Flaring Up in Florida Vegetables
“According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, whiteflies are flaring up in tomatoes and watermelons in Southwest Florida.”
UGA Vegetable Entomologist More Optimistic About Whiteflies Following Rain, Cooler Temperatures
“Whiteflies cause feeding injury issues in vegetables and transmit two viruses: cucurbit leaf crumple virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus. Vegetables like squash, zucchini, cucumber, cantaloupe and snap beans are highly susceptible to these viruses. Commercial cultivars that have resistance or tolerance to these pathogens are not available.”
Photo shows how whiteflies can infest fall cucurbits (VSCNews file photo)
