The whitefly parasite (Encarsia formosa) is attracted to its host by the actual smell of the honeydew produced by the pest, detecting this from several feet away. Adult parasites will feed on this honeydew but also on pest body fluids through a hole made in the whitefly larvae.
Female whitefly parasites deposit 50-100 eggs individually inside the bodies of 3rd and 4th instar nymphs or pupae. The wasp larvae develop in about two weeks at optimum temperatures. When half of the development of the whitefly parasite is completed, the host turns black and the tiny Encarsia finally emerges through a hole in the dorsum of the "black scale."
Most parasitization will occur at humidities of 50% - 80% and a high light intensity. A major factor affecting efficiency is temperature. At temperatures below 62 F. the Encarsia will not fly and consequently will not seek out new hosts.
