- Widespread distribution. Asia, Africa, Oceania. On sugarcane, bamboo, sorghum and grasses. A minor pest.
- Light green egg masses on undersides of leaves; oval brown nymphs; adults with black bands on wings. Produce honeydew; ants often present attracted to the honeydew excreta.
- Biocontrol: several tiny wasps, and ladybird beetles; but natural enemies need ant removal to be effective.
- Cultural control: destroy ant colonies with hot water.
- Chemical control: use soap, white or horticultural oils. Use synthetic pyrethroids to kill ants.
Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides
Sugarcane whitefly (245)
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Summary
Common Name
Sugarcane whitefly
Scientific Name
Neomaskellia bergii
AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
Information from Evans GA (2007) The whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) of the world and the host plants and natural enemies USDA/APHIS. Version 070606. Photos 1-3 National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, ICAR, India.
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.