The greenhouse whitefly is a common pest of houseplants and greenhouse plants. This insect has a host range of more than 250 ornamental and vegetable plants, including the poinsettia, begonia, hibiscus, aster, cucumber, tomato, grape and bean. Adult whiteflies are white and fly in a weak, random manor. Adult females typically lay eggs on the newest leaves.
Nymphs emerge in five to seven days and flatten themselves against the leaf to feed.
They suck sap from the plant, stunting growth and causing the leaf to yellow or drop and a general decline of plant vigor. A sooty mold can grow on the foliage of plants from sticky honeydew excreted by whiteflies. Indoors or in greenhouses, however, whitefly control is necessary. The immature stages of the insect are inconspicuous and easily overlooked. The nymphs are translucent and do not move from their feeding area.