White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

There is white fluffy spots/stuff under some of my banana leaves. Its primarily on older leaves on the shady side of the plant. I don't think the plant has been effected however worried that I'm about to get a caterpillar outbreak that will strip the leaves overnight or something. I have flowers coming out of the plants in question.

What is it and how can it be eliminated if its a threat to my plants?

Thanks!

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

Looks like white fly. Soapy water and neem will work. If you can bring a hose to it and wash it off that will work great. They are attracted to dry hosts.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

Giant Mexican Whitefly, most likely. Won't really hurt the plants. They are hosted on plants, such as hibiscus, and spill over to bananas, citrus, etc. They can be hosed off or wiped off if there is not a lot of them. The start a small spirals of eggs, and mature into flies a little at a time. Best for of control is eliminating the host plants. In San Diego, the cold weather in the winter diminishes their populations, but is a perpetually warm climate such as FL they will continue to multiply.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

Thanks JB and Pitangadiego! I’ll hose the leaves down tomorrow. Hopefully that will knock off the larger infestations such as shown in my photo. There are a bunch of leaves that have a few of the little white spots on the underside but only maybe four like in the photo.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

If a rinsing doesn't get it under control, get yourself a bottle Spinosad from a big box store, a nursery, or online if you have to. Basically, it's bacteria poop that kills weak insects like aphids and whitefly. Buying a "Ready-To-Spray" bottle that you can hook directly to a hose will simplify your life.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

I hosed down the infested leaves and maybe about 75% of the stuff washed off. The little white dots seem to be attached firmer than the cottony stuff. The white dots are mostly underneath but there are a few on top of the leaves as well. I will hose the leaves again in early evening.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

Just rub off the white dots with your finger. They are eggs.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

LOL. Climb up on a ladder ten feet in the air and rub random white dots off the leaves. Right. My wife will think I have lost my mind.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

That's why I spray.

My wife no longer needs convincing.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

I had problems with Spiraling Whitefly for one growing season, and then all the natural enemies found a good food source.

Re: White cotton under leaf, leaves
 

Akula, get a new wife.