need help iding this tiny bug crawling on whiteflies

uglymotherpluck st Thomas, Virgin Islands (USA) Mar 25, 2013

We have a severe whitefly problem and as I clipped off a branch of the bouganvilla I saw these tiny grey/ tan bugs crawling over the whitefly larva. I am not sure if they are helpful or harmful. I can't seem to upload a pic so to describe it- it has a flat tear shaped body greyish tan w/ darker markings on the side edges looks like an african mask sort of, it has 6 legs it is a little bigger than the whitefly larva, crawls pretty fast- don't think it flies

Post #9461837

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Mar 26, 2013

Sounds like a predator on the whiteflies - did it look anything like http://www.pensoft.net/J_FILES/1/articles/4119/export.php_files/ZooKeys-262-039-g016.jpg or http://nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz/factsheet/images/img00044large.jpg?

Post #9462150

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uglymotherpluck st Thomas, Virgin Islands (USA) Mar 26, 2013

not quite- I looked at it under a microscope and it looks like it has under developed wings- maybe?

Post #9463127

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Mar 26, 2013

Nymph of a true bug (order Hemiptera), but can't tell much else...

Post #9463136

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uglymotherpluck st Thomas, Virgin Islands (USA) Apr 03, 2013

Thank you for your replies- I have been trimming off the leaves that are over 50% infested and bagging and freezing them. I think the soapy water may be helping a bit too.

Post #9471236

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