Control methods against the whitefly Dialeurodes citri in organic citrus (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

By reducing the first generation, the damage (i.e., sap consumption, honeydew and, consequently, sooty mould fungus) is strongly reduced.
Practical recommendation
• The main damage caused by D. citri is due to black fungus sooty mould, which colonises the sweet secretions of this pest. The black fungus may cover the leaves and fruit. Heavily-infested trees become weak and produce small crops of insipid fruit.
• In the Mediterranean area, D. citri has three generations per year. Apply plant protection products on the first generation. If the first generation is not controlled, the damage and the followings generations cannot be well controlled. Sensitive stages are L1 and L2. L3 and L4 are very resistant to plant protection products.
• Plan protection products to control this pest are paraffinic oils and citrus oil. The moment to use plan protection products is usually 2 weeks after adult population peak (mainly end of May or beginning of June).