The Department of Agriculture's Mark Fagan said it has identified a new species of whitefly that is targeting ficus trees. 

The whitefly was first spotted in December up north, and officials have now learned they are also prevalent in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. 

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The new variety is even more harmful because it attacks both sides of a ficus leaf, not just one side, as other whitefly species do. 

As the whiteflies feed, they leave a sticky, white goo behind. That means if you've noticed white blotches on your ficus leaves, that could indicate the trees have a whitefly infestation. They are also the cause of black mold. 

Fagan said right now, the Department’s scientists are working on what he calls a "biological control." 

In this case, they are working to identify a predatory wasp that will consume the whitefly and other pests. The trick is finding the right wasp that, once release, will not also prey on "beneficial insects." Fagan said the wasps they are looking at won't harm humans. 

Experts are days away from identifying the right wasp, and then it will take a few months to breed enough of them to combat the whiteflies. 

They believe this latest variety is found in Brazil and some other Latin American countries and traveled to South Florida by either hitching a ride with a "pleasure boater" or on a cargo ship.