urban-horticulture

I located these white flies and webs underneath my shamrock’s leaves.  I have had my shamrock plants since March and have never gotten any kind of disease till now.  I had moved my shamrock’s to my cubicle at work since they seem to prefer the indoors compared to the outdoors (where their leaves got burnt this summer).  I’m not 100% sure of this insect that had found a comfortable home underneath the leaves of my shamrock but my guess is that it was a “white fly”.  I’m sure I could have sprayed the leaves with an insecticide or Neem oil.  I just chose to remove the infected leaves instead.

UPDATE TO THE MYSTERY OF THE GIANT WHITE FLY!

Thank you UCCE Master Gardeners!  Here is their response to my inquiry.

• UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

  Could be whitefly: compare yours with the Pest Note,http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7400.html. Aphids also often get on indoor plants – aphid key athttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/KEYAPHID/1color.html. Wash off leaves & if necessary remove some (as you did!) Note that spraying (even w/ organics) will kill any beneficial insects nearby who might eat the pests. BTW you could try the shamrock in part shade outside – no need to deprive the cubicle though, but propagate from the original.

  

  Giant Whitefly Management Guidelines–UC IPM

  www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

  UC home and landscape guidelines for control of Giant Whitefly.
  It did turn out to be a Giant White Fly.