What's eating my citron?

Citron (Citrus medica) is attacked by the usual citrus pests — scale, mealybug, leafminer, and aphids. Its thick aromatic rind deters some fruit feeders but the foliage and wood are fully susceptible. Scale and mealybug are the most commonly reported problems on potted and garden-grown citron.

Hard or soft encrustations on woody stems and leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mold; weakened vigor and fruit set. Apply horticultural oil at crawler stage; scrape off manually on accessible stems; preserve natural parasitic enemies.

White cottony masses tucked into leaf axils and along stems; stunted growth; sooty mold following honeydew deposits. Spot treat with 70% isopropyl alcohol; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; introduce Cryptolaemus predators.

Silver serpentine mines in new flush leaves; curled, distorted young foliage unable to harden normally. Time heavy feeding to limit flush periods; rely on parasitic wasp natural control; spinosad on active flush if severe.

Curled, cupped new leaves; honeydew drip below tree; sooty mold and ant activity signal active infestation. Insecticidal soap; strong water jet; remove vigorous water shoots where colonies concentrate.