Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact Sheets

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Sugarcane whitefly (245)

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Photo 1. Late stage nymphs and pupae of the sugarcane whitefly, Neomaskellia bergii.

Photo 2. Close-up of adult sugarcane whitefly, Neomaskellia bergii.

Photo 3. Eggs and adults of the sugarcane whitefly, Neomaskellia bergii.

Photo 4. Adult sugarcane whiteflies, Neomaskellia bergii, attended by ants.

Common Name

 Sugarcane whitefly

Scientific Name

Neomaskellia bergii

Distribution

Widespread. Asia, Africa, Oceania. It has been recorded from Fiji, French Polynesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. It is present in New Caledonia on maize.

Hosts

Sugarcane, bamboo, and several sorghum and grass species.

Symptoms & Life Cycle

The nymphs are brown and oval (Photo 1), and the adults have black bands on the wings, and are arrow-shaped when at rest (Photo 2). The eggs (Photo 3), nymphs and adults are found on the underside of the leaves, often in large numbers. Ants are often found in association with the whitefly colonies (Photo 4); they come in search of honeydew.

Impact

The whitefly is a minor pest of sugarcane.

Detection & inspection

Look for the arrow-shaped adults, often with ants in attendance.

Management

NATURAL ENEMIES
Several tiny wasp parasites, Encarsia and Eretmocerus species, as well as ladybird beetle predators attack the whitefly.

Because of the presence of natural enemies, it is very unlikely that the whitefly will need to be managed in any other way.

Note that ants may need to be removed if the natural enemies are to be effective in controlling whitefly populations. The presence of parasitoids should be checked. Look to see if the papae have holes in them, a sign that parasitoids are present. In this case, avoid the use of insecticides, unless the infestation continues to spread.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
It is unlikely that chemical control will be needed against the sugarcane whitefly.

• However, if necessary, use horticultural oil (made from petroleum), white oil (made from vegetable oils), or soap solution (see Fact Sheet no. 56).
  
  • White oil:
    • 3 tablespoons (1/3 cup) cooking oil in 4 litres water.
    • ½ teaspoon detergent soap.
    • Shake well and use.
  • Soap:
    • Use soap (pure soap, not detergent).
    • 5 tablespoons of soap in 4 litres water, OR
    • 2 tablespoons of dish washing liquid in 4 litres water.

• Commercial horticultural oil can also be used. White oil, soap and horticultural oil sprays work by blocking the breathing holes of insects causing suffocation and death. Spray the undersides of leaves; the oils must contact the insects. A second application of soap or oils may be necessary after 3-4 weeks.
• Use synthetic pyrethroid insecticides to kill ants if they are present, attracted to the honeydew. 

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