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The "Ficus Whitefly" A New Pest in
South Florida
Recently, (Augus 3, 2007) a new pest was reported attacking fig
(ficus) trees in Miami,
Florida.
This pest was identified
as,
Singhiella simplex, and is
a new
US
continental record.
Whiteflies are small,
winged insects that belong to the Order Hemiptera which also includes aphids
scales, mealybugs, and bugs.
These insects typically
feed on the underside of leaves with their
needle-like mouthparts.
Fig whiteflies can
seriously injure host plants by sucking sap from
them causing wilting, yellowing, stunting, leaf
drop, or even death.
Counties Infested as of
September 24, 2008:
-
Dade
-
August 3, 2007
-
Brevard - December 28, 2007
-
Palm Beach - June 23, 2008
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