The cabbage whiteflies are a nuisance that affects growers of horticulture and agriculture crops especially those of the brassica family such as cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts. These tiny, piercing-sucking insects can be very destructive to plants as they result in decreased yields and poor plant health. Fortunately, there are several measures by which one can control and even eradicate cabbage whiteflies with emphasis on methods that use biological elements.
Understanding Cabbage Whiteflies
Cabbage white flies or Aleyrodes proletella are small dilateral wings insect commonly found on the underside of the leaves. Most of them feed from the plant sap which in the process causes the weakening of the plant and the yellowing as well as wilting of the leaves. Also, they expel honeydew, a slimy, sticky substance that influences the development of sooty mold on plants, creating more damage.
Preventive Measures
1. Management by Monitoring and Evaluation
To prevent the infestation of cabbage whitefly, it is advisable to check crops from time to time to see if there is any infestation. The whiteflies can also be located on the underside of the leaves in eggs, as well as nymph and full grown adult stage. It helps in intervention before it takes the population to unmanageable proportions.
2. Crop Rotation and Diversity
This pest can be controlled by use of crop rotation, since it disrupts its life cycle. Do not restore the food seedling in one place every year if it belongs to the brassicas group. Whiteflies can be controlled if one introduces different kinds of plants in the garden since whiteflies prefer a certain kind of plant.
3. Physical Barriers
Employ the physical barriers such as the fine mesh nets or the row covers to prevent the occurrence of the white flies on the crops to be produced. This method is also quite useful in a situation when it is necessary to exclude the possibility of an initial colonization or when it is required to protect the young plants.
Organic Control Methods
1. Cabbage Whitefly Organic Control
Organic control methods are of vital importance in the garden since it seeks to be free from chemical interference. To control whiteflies, the natural predators like the ladybugs and the lacewings should be added to the composition. Such insects feed on the whiteflies and the larvae hence making them agents of white fly control.
2. Neem Oil
One of the organic pesticides is the neem oil that is extracted from the neem tree. It functions through elimination of the cafeteria of the whiteflies where they are denied food and breeding ground. Frequency of application can help in achieving up to 70% control of whitefly without causing any Generalist predators.
Biological Pesticides
1. Beauveria Bassiana Pesticide
The biological control agent that is being used is Beauveria bassiana that is a soil-borne entomogenous fungus. If ingested by crops, it destroys and kills whiteflies through pathogenicity, invading the skins of the insects and developing within its body. This biological control method is efficient and has no negative impacts on the environment. It can be used as foliar spray, whereby it can directly be applied on the whiteflies infesting the plants.
2. Bacillus Thuringiensis as Biopesticide
The Bio-pesticide Bt is a soil insect pathogen which is toxic to most insects that are harmful to agriculture for instance cabbage whiteflies. Bt is available as a spray or powder and it affects the digestive system of the whitefly larvae making them stop feeding hence dying. Bt is completely safe for use on both humans, animals and friendly insects and thus can be used for organic farming.
Cultural Practices
1. Sanitation
 It is worth maintaining cleanliness in your garden so that plant debris and weeds, which are homes of whiteflies, are eliminated. It is also advised to discontinue using the part of your garden that has been infected and throw out the plants that have been affected to ensure that there is no reinvasion.Â
2. Companion Planting
Sepanjang mereka menyakiti tanaman Anda, terdapat beberapa spesies tanaman yang dikenal dapat mengusir kupu-kupu putih termasuk bunga marigold dan tanaman nasturtium. Sow the following plants near your brassicas as a way of repelling pests:
Conclusion
Since cabbage whitefly poses a threat to your crops it is best to detect them early and use organic means of controlling it and using bio pesticides. With these approaches, one will be able to avoid or prevent their plants from these destructive pests while at the same embracing natural gardening. For more information on biological control options like Beauveria bassiana pesticide and Bacillus thuringiensis as biopesticide, visit novobac for cabbage whitefly organic control.
Going for integrated pest management also guarantees healthier crops besides supporting an environment-friendly and strong agricultural system. Happy gardening!
