What's eating my buddha's hand citron?

Like all citrus, Buddha's Hand Citron is most persistently attacked by scale insects and mealybugs, which encrust stems and trigger sooty mold. Aphids distort new growth, spider mites cause leaf stippling in dry weather, and citrus leafminer tunnels young leaves. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; keep plants well-watered to resist mites.

Waxy or armored shells on stems, leaves, and rind; heavy infestations cause yellowing, dieback, and sooty mold Apply horticultural oil to smother all life stages; scrub accessible scale; introduce parasitic wasps (Aphytis spp.) where available

White waxy clusters in leaf axils and on fruit; honeydew promotes sooty mold and can transmit viruses Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; prune out severely infested growth

Dense colonies on young shoots cause leaf curling and honeydew, especially on spring flush Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap; attract or release ladybirds and lacewings

Larvae tunnel silvery serpentine trails through young leaves, causing them to curl and toughen Prune out affected shoots; spray new flush with spinosad or neem oil; avoid excess nitrogen that stimulates flush growth