Key Lime Tree Pests

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by Wicked4, Oct 4, 2006.

  1. Wicked4

    Wicked4 Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    Something is crawling on my key lime leaves, leaving tracks. It is apparently causing the leaves to cup & curl -- each has a "track" mark. I've picked off a few strange looking caterpillars, both large & small, but can't always find them. Also, a huge grasshopper looking insect is eating the leaves -- have pulled him off also when found, but he returns. This large critter also flies. How can I rid the tree of these pests? Thank you.
     
  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    5,987
    Likes Received:
    608
    Location:
    Vancouver BC Canada
    This document may be of help to you in identifying the pests. The first one you described sounds like citrus leaf miner.
     
  3. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

    Messages:
    826
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    I agree with Junglekeeper-- the first pest is probably Citrus Leaf Miner -- here is another website with info in CLM:

    http://ag.arizona.edu/crops/citrus/insects/leafminer.pdf#search="citrus leaf miner predator"

    The caterpillars are probably giant swallowtail butterfly larvae-- they look like bird poop.

    As for the grasshopper--Squish!

    -- Skeet--

    PS -- I see you are here in P'cola-- I just released some of the predators of CLM-Ageniaspis citricola -- hopefully they will establish and reduce them to a tolerable level. They have been terrible on my trees this summer.

    Skeet
     
  4. Wicked4

    Wicked4 Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    Thank you both for your help. While the leaves look similar to what is shown in one of the photos in the link -- the "worm" looks nothing like the photo. This guy -- the big one is about 2 inches long, brown, and difficult to spot. The babies are really tiny, and look like bird poop, so your description was correct. I've had this tree for 4 years, and it has produced fruit for the last 2 seasons. It's awesome, and it just breaks my heart to see this thing... Thanks again!
     
  5. Wicked4

    Wicked4 Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    Oh No, I've Been Killing Butterfly Larvae???? Now I Feel Really Bad....
     
  6. Laaz

    Laaz Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Charleston z9a SC
  7. Wicked4

    Wicked4 Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    That's it!!!! BUT, I'M KILLING BUTTERFLIES??? How do you get rid of them?
     
  8. lemon_dreams

    lemon_dreams Active Member

    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Trail, BC, Canada
    Its the one butterfly thats good to kill. the leaf miner wont kill your tree but it sure makes it ugly. I had a minor infestation, but I brought my trees inside and all is ok... except for scale now, but I think I have it under control.
     
  9. Wicked4

    Wicked4 Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    Really? Yep, the leafminer is attacking all new growth, and the leaves are dropping. I've tried insecticidal soap applied directly to the affected leaf groups, and that seems to work, IF I can get it in time.
     
  10. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

    Messages:
    826
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    The giant swallowtail lays individual egg on the new leaves-- they are about 1/16 in in diameter and usually orange in color. If you don't have many trees you can keep the eggs picked off pretty easily. There are several people I know in P'cola that grow citrus trees just for the butterflies-- let them raise the butterflies-- I want the fruit!

    The leaf miners are a more difficult problem to deal with. They are less than 1-2 mm in length -almost invisible to an untrained eye. Earlier in the year you can use oil sprays, but it will reduce your trees cold resistance if you use it now. Spinosad is a relatively non-toxic pesticide that you can use -- the stuff I have is by Fertilome for "bagworms and borers "

    -- Skeet
     

Share This Page