Pest identification
What's eating my clementine?
Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella)
Signs: Winding silver mines on new flush leaves; distorted curled foliage; impacts tree vigor when flushes are repeatedly attacked.
Control: Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen; preserve parasitic wasps; use spinosad on active new flush if infestation is severe.
Armored scale (California red scale, citrus snow scale)
Signs: White or reddish encrustations on bark and fruit surface; fruit blemishing; branch yellowing and dieback if unchecked.
Control: Apply horticultural oil during crawler stage; introduce Aphytis parasitic wasps; prune for air circulation.
Citrus rust mite (Phyllocoptruta oleivora)
Signs: Silvering or russeting of thin clementine skin; fruit looks aged or scarred; no effect on flavor but reduces appeal.
Control: Apply sulfur sprays or horticultural oil early season; monitor with a 10× hand lens on young fruit.
Citrus aphids
Signs: Curled new shoots; sticky honeydew residue; sooty mold blackens foliage; ants actively protect colonies.
Control: Banding trunks to exclude ants; insecticidal soap; encourage lacewings and hoverfly larvae.
Keep clementine pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats mandarin orange — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats clementine — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common clementine problems & fixes
- Clementine watering schedule
- Clementine light requirements
- Full clementine care guide
Clementine pests — FAQ
What is eating my clementine?
Clementines share all the common citrus pests — citrus leafminer, scale, aphids, and spider mites. Their thin skin makes fruit particularly vulnerable to citrus rust mite scarring. Horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, and preserving natural enemies are the primary controls for this edible crop.
How do I get rid of citrus leafminer (phyllocnistis citrella) on clementine?
Winding silver mines on new flush leaves; distorted curled foliage; impacts tree vigor when flushes are repeatedly attacked. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen; preserve parasitic wasps; use spinosad on active new flush if infestation is severe.
How do I get rid of armored scale (california red scale, citrus snow scale) on clementine?
White or reddish encrustations on bark and fruit surface; fruit blemishing; branch yellowing and dieback if unchecked. Apply horticultural oil during crawler stage; introduce Aphytis parasitic wasps; prune for air circulation.
How do I get rid of citrus rust mite (phyllocoptruta oleivora) on clementine?
Silvering or russeting of thin clementine skin; fruit looks aged or scarred; no effect on flavor but reduces appeal. Apply sulfur sprays or horticultural oil early season; monitor with a 10× hand lens on young fruit.
How do I get rid of citrus aphids on clementine?
Curled new shoots; sticky honeydew residue; sooty mold blackens foliage; ants actively protect colonies. Banding trunks to exclude ants; insecticidal soap; encourage lacewings and hoverfly larvae.