Whiteflies are a common pest that can wreak havoc on cannabis plants, both in indoor and outdoor grows. These tiny insects can cause significant damage to your crop if left unchecked, but with the right knowledge and preventative measures, it is possible to control and eradicate them. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss what whiteflies are, how to identify them, their life cycle, signs of infestation, and the various treatment and prevention methods available to cannabis growers.
1. Understanding Whiteflies
What Are Whiteflies?
Whiteflies are tiny insects belonging to the Aleyrodidae family that feed on the sap of plants, including cannabis. There are over 1,500 different species of whitefly, with the most common one affecting cannabis plants being the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). These insects can cause significant harm to your crop if left untreated, as they feed on the plant's sap and can transmit various plant viruses.Physical Characteristics of Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, soft-bodied insects with a wingspan of around 3mm. Their size makes them difficult to detect, but they often group in clusters that are easier to spot with the naked eye. Some general characteristics of whiteflies include:- Females are usually between 1-1.5mm long; males are even smaller
- Wingspan is less than 3mm
- Two eyes; one on each side of the head
- Two antennae
- Generally white in color, although some species can vary
- Covered in a fine wax powder, giving them a dusty appearance
- Six pairs of legs, with the final pair often hidden beneath wings
The Whitefly Life Cycle
Whiteflies have a complex life cycle that includes five stages: eggs, four nymphal stages, and adults. The entire life cycle takes around 40 days, depending on the temperature and environmental conditions.- Adult whiteflies lay yellow eggs on the underside of plant leaves.
- The eggs turn gray and hatch over the following 5-7 days.
- A tiny translucent crawler emerges from each egg, actively searching for a feeding site.
- It latches on in a couple of days and rapidly transforms into the sedentary scale stage. A scale is a sucking insect that develops a tough outer skin after enough feeding to protect the growing insect.
- Pupation, which is known as the adult development stage, occurs inside the scale. A fully matured whitefly leaves the scale after four days.
2. Identifying a Whitefly Infestation
To effectively treat and prevent whiteflies on cannabis plants, it is crucial to recognize the signs of infestation early. Here are some indications that whiteflies may be present on your plants:- Visible clusters of whiteflies on the underside of leaves
- Tiny yellow or translucent marks on the surface of leaves (from feeding)
- Honeydew, a sugary waste product of whitefly feeding that can attract sooty mold
- Ants crawling on your plants, possibly attracted by honeydew