• Whiteflies can damage or even kill hibiscus plants.Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  The hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensi) is a popular landscape plant for warm climates due to its large, brightly colored blooms. Flowers can reach up to 6 inches in diameter and come in a range of colors from pink to red, orange, white and even blue. Hibiscus are susceptible to infestation by several species of whiteflies. These small insects cluster on the underside of hibiscus leaves, leaving a coating of sticky honeydew that can cause leaf yellowing, curling or drop.
  
  

Giant Whitefly

• The giant whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii) is indigenous to Mexico. The insect was introduced into southern California in 1992 and quickly spread to Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii. Giant whiteflies prefer ornamental species, such as hibiscus, begonia, orchids and mulberries. Giant whiteflies can grow up to 3/16 inch long, much larger than other North American species.
  
  Giant whiteflies cause leaf damage in both their larval, or nymph, stage and as adults. Whiteflies feed on leaf sap; large numbers of feeding pests can drain a plant's water and nutrients. Giant whiteflies also cause damage by depositing a sticky substance called honeydew onto leaves as they feed. A "black, sooty mold fungus" grows on the honeydew, which decreases the plant's ability to photosynthesize, according to the University of California.
  
  To manage giant whiteflies, use a combination of methods including removing affected leaves, shooting the underside of leaves to remove whitefly colonies and introducing biological controls into the garden, including natural whitefly predators such as lady beetles, syrphid fly larvae or parasitic wasps.
  
  

Silverleaf Whitefly

• The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifoliian) is thought to be a native of India or Pakistan. Silverleaf whiteflies became major greenhouse pests in the U.S. in 1986. In addition to damaging flowering plant species such as hibiscus, poinsettia, impatiens and begonia, silverleaf whitefly infestations can cause leaf yellowing and curling in vegetables such as cucumbers and squash, and irregular ripening in tomatoes, according to the University of California Riverside. Honeydew deposit also causes sooty black mold growth. To control silverleaf whiteflies on hibiscus plants, introduce green lacewings into your garden or apply the fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus to hibiscus foliage.
  
  

Sweetpotato Whitefly

• The sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) preys on more than 500 plant species, including hibiscus, plumeria, eggplant, lettuce, avocado and a variety of weeds. The sweetpotato whitefly is thought to be native to Greece and was introduced to the U.S. in 1889. Damage from sweetpotato whitefly feeding can include leaf withering, wilting, cholorosis and drop, as well as general weakening of plants and plant death. Sweetpotato whitefly honeydew leads to sooty mold and decreased photosynthesis.
  
  Unlike all but two other species of whitefly, sweetpotato whiteflies also transmit a variety of plant viruses. According to the University of Hawaii, this whitefly causes diseases including "lettuce necrotic yellows, irregular ripening of tomato, silver leaf of squash, cotton leaf curl, tobacco leaf curl and cassava mosaic." To control infestations, the University of Hawaii recommends a combination of cultural controls, such as mulching, row covers and intercropping, and biological controls, such as natural predators, parasites and fungi that prey on whiteflies.