Leaf Miners

Leaf miner, a destructive moth larva, is a threat to citrus trees. It's commonly seen in citrus leaves, but also in the citrus peelminer that attacks fruit, spinach leafminer, vegetables, and allium leafminer, and American serpentine leafminer, which attacks crops and gardens.

As the larva eats away at the leaf, it leaves a winding trail of 'frass' or feces, which creates the 'mine' seen on the leaf. In its final stages, it distorts the leaf and rolls it around itself like a cocoon before emerging as a moth. Leafminer can only survive in new growth leaves of citrus species; therefore, young citrus is especially susceptible, though rarely is the parasite fatal. Insecticides can kill off beneficial bugs and are not recommended unless the tree is suffering from an extreme infection in its early stages. For cases like these, we recommend a systemic pesticide such as Bioadvanced Tree & Shrub Protect and Feed.