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Hibiscus plant make up a large genus of the Malvaceae syndicate , consist of hundreds of species of exotic - looking flowering plant life .

These plants are native to temperate and tropical mood and are best know for their big , showy blooms .

Colony of whiteflies that like to feed Hibiscus

Photo Credit: Instagram @luky_entomology

Hibiscus   plants are commonly categorized as :

These plant grow in a variety of sizes with dreary green leaf and long - lasting trumpet - form efflorescence in shades of whitened , pink , yellow , peach , lavender , and red .

The flower petal sometimes have multiple colors .

Whiteflies on a leaf surface.

Some vulgar form of hibiscus industrial plant include Flower of an Hour , China Rose , Rock Hibiscus , Abelmosk , rosemallows , and Hawaiian hibiscus .

Hibiscus plants prefer a spate of Sunday picture , but winter robustness bet upon the variety .

For illustration , tropic hibiscus withstands the winter time of year in USDA hardiness zone 10 through 12 , whereas sturdy perennials survive geographical zone 4 to 9 .

Whitefly infestation on plant leaves.

In colder region , they are often produce in containers as ornamental plants placed in patios during summertime .

When we talk to those who have had white flies on hibiscus nightmares in the past , one common theme that emerges is that they treated their hibiscus plants like all other flora in their landscape gardening .

That means they got the same water and the same fertilizer , if any , and their nurseryman were allowed to cut , whack , and handle them like all other works on their dimension .

Aphids on a green leaf.

When grown with full sun , well - drained soil , and passable water , these plants grow up to 15′ foot grandiloquent , and the vivacious flowers can produce as enceinte as 6 ” column inch in diameter .

When grown individually in containers or as part of a hedge , these plants add exotic allure to a garden .

The colorful appearance attracts hummingbirds , butterfly , and legion insects .

General vulture admit lacewings , big - eyed bugs , and infinitesimal sea rover bug .

Several modest lady beetles , including Clitostethus arcuatus ( on ash tree whitefly ) and musical scale predators , such as Scymnus or Chilocorus species , and the Asian multicolored lady mallet , Harmonia axyridis , feed on whitefly .

whitefly , Aphids , and mealybugs are among the most common pests infesting these plants .

More on Other Hibiscus Pests :

Here ’s a scout on how to get disembarrass of whitefly on hibiscus plants .

What Are These White Bugs on Hibiscus?

If you notice your plants have a lot of white bugs on hibiscus plants , you likely have a blank fly plague on hibiscus .

A ill-famed pest associated with the hibiscus plant is the “ jumbo ” whitefly ( Aeleyrodicus dugesii ) .

The small whitefly , about 1/16 of an inch , is known by its scientific name Trialeurodes vaporariorum . Whiteflies are tiny , flying insect often found on the underside of leaves .

As the name suggest , they are lily-white or clean - dark-skinned and live by sucking the sap out of the leaves , leave behind pitchy mold .

plainly give way a ripe waggle to the infested plant would aid you identify the bearing of these pests .

When disturbed , whitefly take flight of stairs , forming a thick cloud of flying insects , and come back later to settle on the leaves again .

blank flies on hibiscus plant are common in southern and coastal area , where they are present all yr .

However , in northern regions , these white flying bugs on hibiscus butt indoor industrial plant grown in containers .

They prefer to feed off various ornamental and vegetable plants , including hibiscus , potato , cucumber , grape , tomato , eggplant bush , gumbo , cabbage , citrus , and poinsettia .

Adult whitefly are 1/16 ” column inch long with powdery snowy wings and fiddling antennae .

They resemble moths and are find oneself over the leaves and stem destruction .

The life cycle of whitefly begins with grownup females laying clusters of 200 - 400 eggs on the undersides of the flora ’s leaves .

The eggs hatch within a workweek .

Young houri are oval - shaped and have a scaly show .

Once they pass the stage of the mealybug , called crawlers , they become flattened , stick to the underside of the folio , and flow off the master of ceremonies works .

Hibiscus white fly rest stationary during the residuum of the nymphal stages .

After the pupal degree , the nymph transubstantiate into mature adults creditworthy for repeating the oscillation .

The life of each grownup is up to 2 months .

Whitefly Damage

Whiteflies , both nymphs and adult , damage the hibiscus plants by sucking the fool from the young plants , resulting in problems like scrawny growth , inability to bring forth flush , and yellow foliage .

These insects expand on the plant ’s nutrients and piddle , making it weakly and prone to diseases .

Whiteflies are the real culprits behind the transmission of various viral diseases as well .

An extra hazard is the secretion of these livid insects on hibiscus .

These stubborn garden pests secrete honeydew , like aphids , which is a sugary , unenviable , fatal residue .

This pitchy mold cover the leaf and interferes with the process of photosynthesis .

Whiteflies tarnish the appearance of an otherwise lovely hibiscus plant .

The foliage becomes discolored or starts to fall .

across-the-board whitefly infestation can cause severe damage and become fatal for the hibiscus plant .

Hibiscus Whitefly Treatment

So , how to kill whiteflies on hibiscus ?

Once you have identified the houseplant cuss infestation , here are some tips on proper discussion for whiteflies on hibiscus :

As a preventive measure tocontrol whitefly universe , furnish the home ground for their natural marauder like hummingbird and some beneficial louse such as ladybugs , sewing needle , and damselflies .