Insecticidal soaps do little damage to aphid enemies. A few aphids should be tolerated because they are a good food source for beneficial insects. Their bodies are covered by a powdery, white, wax coating that may also surround their egg masses. They attack leaves, twigs and roots. Their body is hidden under a waxy scale covering.
Mature scales remain stationary, feeding on leaves, twigs, stems or fruits.
Horticultural oils are also effective. They deposit lots of eggs on the underside of leaves. Stationary larvae are oval, flat, transparent to greenish in color when they are alive, and dull white when dead. Whiteflies are parasitized by fungi and other predators. Some whiteflies have developed tolerance to pesticides.