Harmful to several crops, whiteflies require attention and care from the farmer

Faced with a growing demand for food around the world, the relevance of agriculture has occurred in a similar proportion, with the development and implementation of sophisticated techniques to provide quality and safe products. To ensure that crops are not harmed by the presence of pests, the farmer must be aware not only of solutions, but also of signs that these organisms are acting on crops. One of the examples that most justifies this concern is the proliferation of the White Fly in Brazil.

Present throughout Brazil and with greater strength in warmer periods and regions, such as the Central-West region and part of the Northeast region, this insect arrived in the country through the import of ornamental plants and quickly became one of the great villains of various crops, such as soybeans, cotton and fruit and vegetable varieties. In tomato plants, for example, losses caused by their interactions with plants can reach 50%, according to information from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).

The White Fly attacks plants on two main fronts: by sucking nutrients present in the leaves, excreting a sugary substance that favors the formation of sooty mold, and by transmitting certain types of viruses, especially in tomato and bean crops.

From oviposition to adult emergence, a period of approximately 20 days is computed. Therefore, the farmer needs to make decisions that must be, simultaneously, quick and accurate. The suggested control must take into account the technical recommendations of professionals qualified for the function. Once the infestation is identified, it is recommended to apply insecticides to eliminate the pest, regardless of what stage the insects are in.

It is essential to highlight that these applications vary according to the type of damage caused to the plant and that they require integrated management techniques for each crop. In this way, farmers and specialists will be trained in an integrated way to establish a balance between productivity, profitability and respect for the environment.