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Whitefly Natural Predators

The whitefly is an annoying species, which kills plants by creating honeydew on the underside of a plant's leaves when it reproduces. This honeydew attracts mold, which is what kills the plants. In order to combat whiteflies with natural predators, a small ladybird beetle, Delphastus pusillus, may be introduced to the environment. Another option is Chrysopa rufilabris, green lacewing larvae.

Delphastus pusillus

This small beetle will eat whiteflies in any stage of development, but prefers to feed on the nymphs and eggs. This makes them perfect for combating infestations of whiteflies since they put a stop to whitefly reproduction and eat away what makes whiteflies dangerous to plants. Each beetle can consume 10,000 whitefly eggs in its lifetime.  These beetles are most effective when used in large infestations, as each female must consume 200 eggs per day in order to reproduce. ["Delphastus pusillus: Whitefly Predator ", entomology.wisc.edu]

Delphastus pusillus live for six to nine weeks. ["Management Of Whiteflies In Greenhouse Crops ", omafra.gov]

Chrysopa rufilabris

Chrysopa rufilabris, more commonly known as green lacewing, can be introduced as eggs or as larvae. Even as larva, green lacewings can search for food up to one hundred feet away from them. ["Green Lacewings", entomology.wisc.edu] This beneficial insect is capable of devouring more than 200 pests per week. ["Green Lacewings", insects.tamu.edu]

Green lacewings transition from egg to adult in approximately three to four weeks.  These insects are most effective when used in large infestations, because they will eat one another when the food supply diminishes. ["Green Lacewings, Beneficial Insects in the Low Desert", ag.arizona.edu]