Whitefly Control - Encarsia - Half-Programme (2 deliveries - 7 days apart)

What is Whitefly?

Whitefly is a major pest that can destroy plants in greenhouses and conservatories.

Adult whitefly - These small, white, waxy-winged insects congregate at the top of the plant, but fly off if disturbed. Both the adults and larval stages of the whitefly suck sap from the leaves resulting in stunted growth and damaged leaves. The sap contains excess sugar which is excreted by the whitefly and coats the lower leaves. Mould then develops, which is unsightly and produces poor growth.

A Whitefly infestation can be brought into your greenhouse / conservatories by bringing in infected plants, so carefully inspect any new ones or they can come in through open windows / open greenhouse vents in warm weather.

They are capable of laying up to 200 eggs in groups on the underside of the leaves, so numbers can build up quickly. Tiny larvae emerge ,which search out suitable feeding sites and lose the ability to move. This immobile "scale" stage is pale green, about 2mm long and lives under the lower leaves only.

The life cycle consists of adult laying eggs, to larvae, to scale and finally to adult, this whole process can be completed in as little as 3 weeks in the summer.

Control Whitefly by introducing Encarsia on small white cards, which are hung on the plants AS SOON as the first whitefly appear and the temperatures are above 10C / 50F.

How do I control Whitefly with Encarsia?

Control Whitefly by introducing Encarsia on small white cards, which are hung on the plants AS SOON as the first whitefly appear and the temperatures are above 10C / 50F.

Encarsia - Protect your plants by introducing Encarsia Formosa - a natural parasite of whitefly AS SOON as the first whitefly appear and the temperatures are above 10C / 50F - if you have recently used a chemical spray i.e. within the last 2-3 weeks, please contact us to check how soon Encarsia can be introduced?

Encarsia - Encarsia are introduced to the greenhouse as dots on small ,white cards, which are simply hung on the lower leaves of the plants. Encarsia is a tiny insect with clear wings ,which seeks out whitefly scale and deposits an egg inside it. As the beneficial Encarsia develops INSIDE the whitefly scale, the whitefly is destroyed and turns black, before a new Encarsia emerges ready to repeat the cycle. Each Encarsia is capable of laying 300 eggs inside 300 whitefly scales in 30 days. It is safe for you, children, pets and wildlife. Food crops such as tomotoes can be harvested continually, where Encarsia is used.

Encarsia - Each delivery consists of 5 cards, with each card producing approx 60 Encarsia i.e. a delivery of 5 cards produces approx 300 Encarsia. Simply seperate the cards along the perforations and hang them around the greenhouse / conservatory on the lower leaves of the infected plants.

Two or four separate deliveries at 7 day intervals allows the Encarsia numbers to build up naturally resulting in better control. Encarsia is available as a half course, full course.

Which pack should I order?

• A half course is two introductions (5 cards per delivery) at 7 day intervals and is for a small greenhouse where the whitefly have just appeared.
  
  
• A full course is four introductions (5 cards per delivery) at 7 day intervals and is for larger greenhouses or where the whitefly have had time to get established.

N.B. Whitefly should not be confused with aphids, which shed their skin leaving them on the leaves. To tell the difference shake the plant, whitefly will fly off whereas aphid skins will remain stuck. If it is aphids, use aphidius for control.

Tip: If you are going on holiday during your programme period just let us know by adding the holiday dates to your order notes when placing your order or by emailing us after you place your order and we will make sure that your shipments don't get sent whilst you are away.