White flies on umbrella tree plant

White flies are quite a common pest but unfortuntely, not so easy to get rid of. They multiply at quite an alarming rate. They are sap suckers and leave a sticky residue that then turns black to sooty mould.

Still, don't worry. Most of the bug sprays will kill what you have (although you are seeing the adults) so you'll have to keep up with it. Those containing bifenthrin and thiacloprid will work best and if you can, get yourself a systemic spray so that the young will die as they feed.

i have had whitefly on my arboricola for 2 years and have not treated it. the black sooty mold is not attractive, but the plants remain primarily unharmed. the negative impact of using insecticides in your garden should be given serious consideration - the poison does not limit itself to the "bad" bugs...