Whiteflies are insects similar to aphids, but with winged adults. They pierce leaves and suck sap.

Their juvenile stages live attached to the leaves and are almost invisible to the naked eye. They produce a sticky liquid, honeydew, which soils the foliage and later turns black.

The adults live on the underside of leaves and look like tiny white flies that quickly take flight when the plant is disturbed. They cause yellowing and drying, weakening the plant and slowing flowering. The leaves curl and become covered in honeydew.