sitting down this morning noticed this leaf....what is it??? what should I do ..??? what ..what what...
Firstly, don't worry. It is only citrus leafminer. Unless infestation is particularly heavy, it does little harm to the tree besides the aesthetics. Once you see the mining trail, there isn't much you can do to kill the pest. But, spraying regularly with horticultural oil will help. It will stop the adult moths from laying eggs on the plant. A few of my citrus had a leaf or two with miners on them when I bought them. I just removed and burned them. I even had a cocoon on one leaf which I believe was a miner maturing into an adult. Like I said, no way to kill really (though I have heard of some systemics which might work but may impair fruit) just spray with the oil. With any luck you won't have a bad case. Burn that leaf, kill the pest, and look out for more :)
horticultural oil: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/INSECT/05569.html http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1999/2-19-1999/oilsprays.html http://www.doityourself.com/stry/horticulturaloil http://www.arbico-organics.com/1274101.html
eh I just thought of something...I have some deatomaceous earth ??? hummm I'm wondering if a could powder the top of the container soil with this?
There's a good chance the leafminer damage occurred while the tree was at the grower's nursery. The ISD treatment would have eliminated the pests before shipment. I would not take action unless there is evidence of recent damage.
shoot...ripped off and burned...oh well.. But I'm wondering if ever there were bugs on it would deatomaceous earth be good to use?
