Poinsettias are like most greenhouse crops when it comes to pest issues…

insects can be a pest. The most common poinsettia insect pests are some of the most common greenhouse pests- whitefly & thrips and shorefly & fungus gnats. The basic tenants of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) are the backbone to build a sound biological pest control program.  

Start at box opening, check for insect pests, quarantine infected material, and identify the insect pests. Make sure that your facility is clean with limited places for insects to hide and reproduce. Standard application protocol calendars used in traditional chemical pest control don’t translate to biologicals as easily. Scouting remains a vital tool as each crop of poinsettias is different from season to season.  

As the crop grows the density of leaves makes it more difficult for insecticide sprays to reach inside the canopy where many insect pests live. This too means scouting with yellow sticky cards and regular population counts is important for success. Biological best control and pesticides can co-exist in the same pest control program but need to be researched for compatibility. Each grower will need to make decisions for their crop in an ongoing format. A combination of scouting, previous experience, current information, and a little grower anticipation will allow the grower to stay ahead of poinsettia pests.


Beneficial Insects for Whiteflies & Thrips

Whitefly & Thrips: Typically applied from cardboard tubes that can be shaken over the crop. Target above-ground parts of poinsettias. 

Click on the beneficial insects to learn how to order 


Beneficial Insects for Shoreflies & Fungus Gnats

Shorefly and Fungus Gnats – Soil Dwelling 

Click on the beneficial insects to learn how to order 


For other resource articles, helpful tips, or other Greenhouse GEMS, check out our Resources page for more information.