Whiteflies are a pesky insect that can be found on garden plants such as cabbage, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, okra, and tomatoes. Some species of the whitefly can also be found on citrus trees and even houseplants inside of your home.
Whiteflies are a problem because they can cause fungal diseases on plants due to the honeydew left after feeding on the plant itself.
To prevent a whitefly infestation, choosing a natural approach like whitefly parasites, not only benefit gardens and greenhouses, they are also environmentally safe.
The tiny parasitic wasp is capable of laying as many as 100 eggs inside the larvae of the whitefly and will even feed on the juices of the prey while doing so. Once the eggs of the parasite are deposited, the larva host will begin to turn black as the parasite young develop and grow. After about two weeks, a full-grown adult wasp will emerge and begin the process of laying eggs and feasting on the whitefly's larvae. The tiny wasps search for the larvae by the scent of the honeydew their parents produce.
The parasite is best introduced during late spring and early summer since the good bugs are most active during warmer temperatures. These wasps also prefer lots of light, making them beneficial for greenhouses and indoor plants.
