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Rugose spiralling whitefly in oil palm: signs and what to do

What it looks like

White waxy spiral egg patterns and white fluffy insects on the underside of leaflets; leaves covered with sticky honeydew and black sooty mould.

What to do

Hang yellow or green sticky traps; replace them when full.
Wrap a yellow or green sheet (1.5–2 ft) smeared with castor oil around the trunk; wipe and re-oil every other day.
Remove weeds around infested palms, and grow marigold around the garden.
Work with your neighbours: whitefly moves between farms.

Spray advice (IIOPR)

No pesticide is officially registered for oil palm in India. This is ICAR-IIOPR's published advice. Check with your mill's field officer before spraying.

IIOPR: spray neem oil 10,000 ppm with detergent powder, or the bio-agent R55 or Isaria at 5 ml plus 5 g detergent (surf) per litre, with a high-volume sprayer, together with neighbouring farms.

Questions

How do I recognise rugose spiralling whitefly in oil palm?

White waxy spiral egg patterns and white fluffy insects on the underside of leaflets; leaves covered with sticky honeydew and black sooty mould.

What should I do about rugose spiralling whitefly?

Hang yellow or green sticky traps; replace them when full. Wrap a yellow or green sheet (1.5–2 ft) smeared with castor oil around the trunk; wipe and re-oil every other day. Remove weeds around infested palms, and grow marigold around the garden. Work with your neighbours: whitefly moves between farms.

Sources: ICAR-IIOPR: Management of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, ICAR-IIOPR Crop Calendar 2026

Check your palm with a photo

Palm Day's photo check tells you if it's this problem or something else, in Telugu.