Stop whitefly early
Rugose spiralling whitefly: signs and what works.
Signs
- White waxy spirals and white insects under the leaves; sticky leaves that turn black with sooty mould.
What works
- Yellow or green sticky traps; castor-oil-coated yellow sheets tied around the trunk, wiped every other day.
- Remove weeds around palms; grow marigold around the garden.
- Spray neem oil 10,000 ppm with detergent, or the bio-agent Isaria/R55 at 5 ml + 5 g detergent per litre, together with neighbouring farms.
Don't spread it
- Check new seedlings for egg spirals before planting, and don't buy plants from infested areas.
Sources: ICAR-IIOPR: Management of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, ICAR-IIOPR Crop Calendar 2026
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