How's yer whitefly?

[Two_Sheds]

Or rather, how're your brassicas? Mine are normally caked in the white stuff, but I've just picked a carrier bag full of kale, PSB and cabbage and ... nada. Not a single one

We had a very mild winter, so I thought they'd be worse, not better.

Is it just me?

Or is it really down to the garlic spray?

[VirginVegGrower]

Not seen any around mine yet and I haven't sprayed anything.

[Shadylane]

This is weird. Our white fly mysteriously all died mid winter. The kale is almost totally clear at the mo. Tis very odd. I originally suspected someone spraying but decided that was unlikely. Plus they haven't come back with much of a vengence like you'd expect

[rustylady]

Mine were really badly infested earlier, but had a picking of kale day before yesterday and only a few whitefly - strange. No sprays either.

[Two_Sheds]

Ah. Not my wonder spray then.

[donnakebab]

I've noticed a few on my strawberry plants but they weren't far from the kale which was badly infested last year. I pulled the kale up because we were sick to death of eating it. Less plants next time.

[Alison]

Not seen any but it's not really a problem I get round here, didn't actually realise they could be a problem on PSB.

[Madasafish]

not many whitefly but an infestation of ladybirds..

[binley100]

Same here.......whitefly have vamoosed only to be replaced with ladybirds ......

[Urban]

Yes the ladybirds seem to of came through the winter really well this year. I have had hundreds on my garden. Not seen any pest either, I guess the ladybirds are doing there job

[Two_Sheds]

Whiteflies are attacked by a large number of natural enemies:
- parasitic wasps (e.g. Eretmocerus spp., Encarsia spp.)
- predatory mites (Amblyseius spp. and Typhlodromus spp.)
- predatory thrips
- lacewings
- rove beetles
- ladybird beetles

So if you garden without pesticides, you're going to have some of those lovely natural defenders

[Shadylane]

Saw our first bit of ladybird porn the other day. It's a beautiful thing

[binley100]

They take their time don't they ? unlike the wood pigeons

[Shadylane]

At first yeah, but then they really go for it.

[Peas'n'Kews]

WE have some whitefly on the kale, but not a huge amount.

we have HUNDREDS of ladybirds!! They seem to have overwintered under our decking along with a load of snails!

Agree with the "pull up the kale, sick of it" but coping OK so far - not sure I'll grow it next year though!