UC Davis researchers say recent discoveries of the sweet potato whitefly strain B near Woodland, Calif., present new questions about the pest's ability to survive winters in the northern part of the state. At a recent agricultural meeting, UC Davis Cooperative Extension entomologist Larry Godfrey said the latest find of sweet potato whitefly strain B in an urban area of the Sacramento Valley near Woodland and in Sutter County, suggests it's going to take the combined efforts of farmers and urban residents to manage the pest. According to Godfrey, the strain B whitefly is a voracious feeder -- attacking nearly 600 plant species, including melons and tomatoes, two of the area's major agricultural crops. Both farmers and homeowners are encouraged to report suspected whitefly finds -- clusters of tiny egg masses and insects on the underside of plant leaves -- to their local county Cooperative Extension office or agricultural commissioner. Meanwhile, UC scientists and county, state and federal agencies are organizing plans to deal with the pest, including educational campaigns, research and regulatory strategies.