Pest identification
What's eating my key lime?
Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella)
Signs: Silvery mines etched into young leaves; curled, distorted flush growth; repeated attacks weaken the canopy.
Control: Minimize excess nitrogen; preserve parasitic wasps; apply spinosad to new flush only if infestation is heavy.
Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri)
Signs: Waxy tubular deposits on new growth; twisted, cupped shoot tips; vector of huanglongbing (citrus greening), a fatal disease.
Control: Monitor regularly; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to flush; report confirmed infestations to local agriculture authorities.
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy or crusty bumps on stems and undersides of leaves; honeydew and sooty mold; weakened, yellowing growth.
Control: Horticultural oil at 2–3 tbsp per gallon during crawler stage; protect natural enemies such as parasitic wasps.
Citrus mealybug
Signs: Cottony white clusters at leaf bases and stem junctions; honeydew attracts ants and causes sooty mold.
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; manually remove with alcohol-tipped cotton swab; introduce Cryptolaemus beetles.
Keep key lime pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Key lime pests — FAQ
What is eating my key lime?
Key lime is susceptible to citrus leafminer, scale insects, citrus aphids, and mealybugs. Its frequent tender flush growth makes leafminer a persistent problem. In the US South and Florida, Asian citrus psyllid is an additional serious risk. Horticultural oil and preserving beneficial insects are essential.
How do I get rid of citrus leafminer (phyllocnistis citrella) on key lime?
Silvery mines etched into young leaves; curled, distorted flush growth; repeated attacks weaken the canopy. Minimize excess nitrogen; preserve parasitic wasps; apply spinosad to new flush only if infestation is heavy.
How do I get rid of asian citrus psyllid (diaphorina citri) on key lime?
Waxy tubular deposits on new growth; twisted, cupped shoot tips; vector of huanglongbing (citrus greening), a fatal disease. Monitor regularly; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to flush; report confirmed infestations to local agriculture authorities.
How do I get rid of scale insects on key lime?
Waxy or crusty bumps on stems and undersides of leaves; honeydew and sooty mold; weakened, yellowing growth. Horticultural oil at 2–3 tbsp per gallon during crawler stage; protect natural enemies such as parasitic wasps.
How do I get rid of citrus mealybug on key lime?
Cottony white clusters at leaf bases and stem junctions; honeydew attracts ants and causes sooty mold. Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; manually remove with alcohol-tipped cotton swab; introduce Cryptolaemus beetles.