[Aim]  To evaluate the toxicity and control efficacy of broflanilide, a pesticide with a novel mode of action, for controlling whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. [Methods]  We tested the toxicity of broflanilide on B. tabaci eggs, nymphs, and adults in the laboratory using a leaf dipping method. Control efficacy experiments were conducted in the greenhouse using a spraying method. [Results]  Our results demonstrate that broflanilide has low toxicity in B. tabaci eggs and adults, with LC₅₀ values of 959.17 and 2 935.74 mg/L, respectively. In contrast, broflanilide was more toxic to 1st and 2nd instar nymphs, with LC₅₀ values of 3.21 and 27.60 mg/L, respectively. Broflanilide exhibited limited control against eggs and adults, with an efficacy of less than 9.38% for eggs, and 2.31% to 35.38% for adults. In contrast, broflanilide displayed high efficiency against 1st instar nymphs in the greenhouse, with a control efficacy of 92.76%, 82.50%, 70.11% and 93.82%, 80.08%, 72.53%, on days 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 post-treatment, respectively. The control efficacy of broflanilide for immature stages from 2nd instar nymphs to pupae was low at 1 000 (50.54%), 2 000 (36.56%), and 3 000 (25.49%) times dilution, but higher than that of sulfoxaflor at   2 000 times dilution (14.49%) after 7 d of treatment. The control efficacy 14 d after treatment was 57.74%, 48.49%, and 22.26%, respectively, higher than the 18.70% of broflanilide. [Conclusion]  This study demonstrated low broflanilide toxicity in all developmental stages of B. tabaci except 1st instar nymphs. Combining broflanilide with sulfoxaflor or avermectin could improve the control efficacy of B. tabaci by targeting different developmental stages.