Tomatoes damaged by whitefly

by Dianne
(Lismore, Australia)

Q. Can you help me identify and know how to treat whitefly pests on tomatoes?

A. Whiteflies suck juices from leaves, causing wilting, leaf damage, brown leaves, and stunted growth. If left unchecked, white flies can quickly defoliate your tomato crop.

How to identify whiteflies

• Shake your tomato plant. If dozens of tiny white or light-colored insects break free, they are likely whiteflies.
  
• Look for whiteflies’ telltale trail of sticky white dew (called “honeydew”) on leaves, stems, and fruit.
  
• Check leaves for circular or spiral light-colored designs, which are actually strings of whitefly eggs.
  

• Apply an organic insecticidal soap, such as
  Safer Insect Killing Soap®.
  
• Apply horticultural oil, like neem oil, to control whiteflies.