Attaining effective biological control of Tetraleurodes perseae is critical if this pest is to be constrained at densities which do not cause economic damage. California avocados are renowned for low insecticide usage and growers rely on natural enemies to control many potential pest species. Red-banded whiteflies are under very good control in Mexico by two Encarsia spp. Tetraleurodes perseae appears to be less effectively controlled by C. noacki in more interior avocado growing areas where temperatures are hotter. Top Whitefly Biology.
Whiteflies are small sucking insects that live on the underside of leaves.
Adult female red-banded whiteflies lay kidney bean shaped eggs on undersides of leaves. As whitefly nymphs mature, they shed their cuticles before moving onto the next developmental stage. During the course of development the old cuticles that have been shed are often collected on the top of the whitefly nymph. This makes aging red-banded whitefly nymphs very easy as the shed skins on top of nymphs can be counted to determine current age. Mature third instar nymphs , fourth instars, and pupae are black in color.