Whiteflies often go unnoticed even when they occur in large numbers, because they congregate on the underside of the leaves. When the leaves are disturbed, the adults fly about, but they quickly settle again when the disturbance has passed. Their two pairs of broadly rounded wings are covered with a white waxy powder. Immature whiteflies go through an active crawler stage, but then settle down to feed. At this point, they shed their skins and become legless and immobile.
Nymphs are small, non-motile, and nearly the same color as the foliage.
Immature whiteflies may be confused with scale insects, but are much smaller. Unlike scales, however, adult females can fly to infest other plants. Some control measures are aimed at the adults, requiring 15 to 20 treatments at 3 to 4 day intervals. The most effective control is achieved with newer insecticides that also kill nymphs. Thorough coverage of the underside of leaves is essential.