Pest identification
What's eating my persian lime?
Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella)
Signs: Winding silver trails on new flush leaves; rolled, hardened leaves that no longer photosynthesize effectively.
Control: Time fertilization to reduce overlapping flush; rely on natural parasitic wasp control; spinosad on heavy infestations.
Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri)
Signs: Curled, stunted new growth with waxy white deposits; vector of huanglongbing, which is incurable and fatal to the tree.
Control: Monitor new flush closely; apply horticultural oil to flush; report suspected psyllid to your county extension service immediately.
Scale insects
Signs: Bark and leaf encrustations; honeydew, sooty mold; branch dieback under severe load.
Control: Horticultural oil sprays timed to crawler stage; prune dense interior branches to improve airflow.
Citrus aphids
Signs: Puckered, curled new leaves; honeydew coating lower foliage; ant trails up the trunk signal active colonies.
Control: Trunk sticky bands to exclude ants; insecticidal soap; strong water jet to dislodge colonies.
Keep persian lime pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Persian lime pests — FAQ
What is eating my persian lime?
Persian lime faces the same core citrus pests as key lime — leafminer, scale, aphids, and mealybugs — plus Asian citrus psyllid where present in the US South. Its thornless, vigorous growth flushes frequently, giving leafminer many opportunities. Horticultural oil and biological controls are the mainstay.
How do I get rid of citrus leafminer (phyllocnistis citrella) on persian lime?
Winding silver trails on new flush leaves; rolled, hardened leaves that no longer photosynthesize effectively. Time fertilization to reduce overlapping flush; rely on natural parasitic wasp control; spinosad on heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of asian citrus psyllid (diaphorina citri) on persian lime?
Curled, stunted new growth with waxy white deposits; vector of huanglongbing, which is incurable and fatal to the tree. Monitor new flush closely; apply horticultural oil to flush; report suspected psyllid to your county extension service immediately.
How do I get rid of scale insects on persian lime?
Bark and leaf encrustations; honeydew, sooty mold; branch dieback under severe load. Horticultural oil sprays timed to crawler stage; prune dense interior branches to improve airflow.
How do I get rid of citrus aphids on persian lime?
Puckered, curled new leaves; honeydew coating lower foliage; ant trails up the trunk signal active colonies. Trunk sticky bands to exclude ants; insecticidal soap; strong water jet to dislodge colonies.