Citrus Leaf Miner
(click to enlarge)
Picture: Tom MacCubbin
Checked your citrus trees lately? What you see
may be a little unnerving. Most of the trees are
exhibiting shriveling curling leaves. Look closely
and you will see it’s mainly the new growth that is
affected. Now, I guess it is not going to help
telling you this is normally not a major problem.
Actually this is not that much of a problem for
older trees. Some gardeners have written me saying it
does make them feel bad. What you are seeing is the
damage from the citrus leaf miner. This is a moth that
invaded Florida about 20 years ago. It lays its eggs
on a new citrus leaf and the larva tunnel between the
leaf surfaces. When it matures the larva pupate at the
end of the leaf in a curled portion. Then the moth
reappears.
At first scientists and growers were
scared this would cause devastation to the citrus
industry but it didn’t. Citrus trees are tough and carry
on normal growth in spite of the damage. The leaves most
affected are those produced during the late spring and
late summer when the moths are plentiful. Young trees
are of the most concern as the leaf miner damage can
limit the growth and the tree may take longer to reach
production size.
Now, you have some choices
here. You either ignore the damage and the trees
normally do fine or you apply a spray.
Products
that are effective include natural horticultural oils
and spinosad insecticide available under many brands or
the new Bayer Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control
when you follow the label instructions.
With the
natural sprays timing is very important. They must be
applied when the new growths are less than an inch long.
These products may be repeated following label
instructions. The Bayer product can be used at the
beginning of the new growing season for season-long
control. The product is applied to the ground. Follow
the label instructions carefully.
Leaf miner
damage is not a major problem but it certainly makes the
trees look bad.
