Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are major pests for various vegetable crops in Indonesia. Whiteflies are small white insects. They typically attack a wide range of plants such as food crops, chili, vegetables, and fruits, and they usually reside in groups behind the leaves. Whiteflies have a dual effect when damaging plants. In addition to directly harming the plants, whiteflies can also cause indirect damage.

Direct damage can cause symptoms like leaf curling, chlorosis (yellowing), and mosaic patterns, and if the infestation is severe, it can result in stunted and unproductive plants. The indirect damage caused by whiteflies is their role as vectors for the yellow disease virus (Geminivirus). This geminivirus is transmitted persistently, meaning once a whitefly feeds on a plant containing the yellow virus, it can spread it for the rest of its life.

Whiteflies, as vectors for the yellow disease virus, have a wide host range and can infect various types of plants such as chili, tomatoes, eggplants, tobacco, cucumbers, watermelon, cabbage, potatoes, and others.

Methods to prevent and control whiteflies on plants include:

• Natural control: Natural control of whitefly pests can be done by maintaining the conservation of natural enemies by minimizing actions that could harm them. The natural enemies of whiteflies include predators and parasitoids.

• Planting barrier crops: The purpose is to block vector insects from reaching the main crop. Corn is often used as a barrier plant.

• Crop rotation: The goal is to stop or break the life cycle of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). Crop rotation is done by planting crops that are not the same or not a host plant for whiteflies. This method is quite effective in reducing whitefly populations and inhibiting their reproduction.

• Control with effective insecticides

It is better to prevent before the pest outbreak. Be aware of whiteflies, which are the cause of yellow virus (Gemini) and can lead to significant crop loss.