Silverleaf whitefly (SLW) has evolved to become one of the most complex insects to manage in our cotton system because we are essentially controlling an insect not to protect the plant from damage, but to prevent its honeydew (poop) from contaminating open bolls. The amount of SLW honeydew secretions it takes to contaminate a crop is difficult to accurately define because factors such as the weather, crop stage and on-going SLW population dynamics all influence honeydew accumulation.
In this e-newsletter from January 2019, CottonInfo IPM Technical Lead Paul Grundy outlines the ten top points to assist growers with decision making re SLW.