Monitoring of Silverleaf Whitefly Populations in Georgia: Results of a Two Year Study

Silverleaf whitefly populations were monitored in Georgia during 2018 and 2019 using yellow sticky traps. These traps were positioned at 125 locations spread across 24 counties in south Georgia, an area of intensive cotton and vegetable production.  Overall, whitefly populations were significantly higher in 2019 compared to 2018. In 2018, the populations never rebounded following hurricane Michael in mid-October, whereas captures continued well into November in 2019. Infestations in cotton generally started in mid-July and continued until defoliation.  When suitable hosts such as late-planted cotton and fall vegetables were present, whitefly populations persisted much later in the year.  Population intensity was consistently higher in Tift, Colquitt, Irwin, Worth and Ben Hill counties.  Research is underway to better characterize environmental and biological factors that contributed to increased whitefly abundance and infestation potential.