Department of Agriculture : What Residents Need To Know About Whitefly
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – 11 June 2026 – The Department of Agriculture (DoA), under the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI), continues to actively respond to reports of spiral whitefly infestations across Grand Cayman, with teams working daily to assist affected residential properties and commercial farms.
What is Spiral Whitefly?
Spiral whitefly is one of the most aggressive whitefly species affecting the Cayman Islands. It is typically identified by white, waxy spiral egg patterns on the undersides of leaves and by the sticky honeydew it produces, which can lead to the development of black sooty mould, commonly referred to as “black lice.”
Common host plants include:
- Coconut
- Banana and Plantain
- Mango
- Ornamental plants
- Various fruit trees and shrubs
What Can Residents Do?
The Department encourages residents to:
- Regularly inspect the tops and undersides of leaves.
- Quarantine new plants before introducing them to gardens.
- Avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen-rich products.
- Use yellow sticky traps to monitor activity.
- Encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings.
- Avoid moving infested plant material between properties.
Treatment Options
Treatment options may include:
- Insecticidal soaps.
- Neem oil products.
- Pyrethrin-based sprays.
- Approved systemic treatments where appropriate.
- Strong water sprays for smaller infestations.
The Department of Agriculture will continue to provide updates and public education as response efforts progress. Members of the public seeking advice or wishing to report infestations may contact the Department of Agriculture directly.
The Ministry and Department remain committed to protecting plant health, supporting local agriculture and assisting residents as response efforts continue across the Cayman Islands. For More Information please visit: doa.gov.ky
For media inquiries, please contact:
Public Relations
📞 Telephone: (345) 244-2412
📧 Email: ministry.pahi@gov.ky
About the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing, & Infrastructure (PLAHI):
The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI) is responsible for advancing national priorities across planning, lands, agriculture, housing, and infrastructure in the Cayman Islands.
Mission
To develop and implement integrated policies, programmes, and infrastructure solutions that enhance land use, strengthen food security, improve housing access, and support climate-resilient development, guided by innovation, equity, connection, and integrity.
Through strategic leadership and collaboration, the Ministry works to deliver sustainable outcomes that support economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and long-term prosperity for the people of the Cayman Islands.
About the Department of Agriculture (DoA):
The Department of Agriculture aims to foster sustainable agricultural production, enhancing self-sufficiency and food security in the Cayman Islands. The Department extends a range of services, from agronomical to veterinary, and wholly supports the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure in implementing its policies and strategies.
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