Pests Affecting Citrus Cultivators

Sap Sucking Pests

Stickiness on the foliage of citrus plants can be an indication of sap-sucking insects, on which black sooty moulds often develop. Pests such as soft scale, mealybugs and aphids are all usually found on the underside of leaves and the stems.

Soft Scale

Mealybugs

Aphids

Oval, yellow-brown scales or shells up to 3mm long. They cluster around leaf veins and stems. Greyish-white insects3mm long. They often infest the leaf axils and cover themselves and their eggs in with a white, waxy substance. Usually green and feed on shoot tips and flowers.

 

Glasshouse red spider mite and the citrus red spider mite both affect citrus plants but are distinguished from one another by examination under microscopes. The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimillis gives good control over glasshouse red spider mite, however, it does not prey on citrus red spider mite.

Treating plants against pests

If fruit from plants is to be eaten, restrict pesticides to organic types. Contact sprays need several applications. If the fruit is not eaten, plants can be sprayed with synthetics such as deltamethrin.

If you have any further questions on Pests that affect Citrus plants or any other pests then please contact Blue Iris Landscapes and we will be happy to help with your gardening problem. Please contact us.