What Are the Leaf Boring Insects That Attack Citrus Trees?

Citrus Looper

• Citrus looper (Anacamptodes fragilaria) is a common moth pest of citrus trees and the larvae of the insect cause extensive damage to citrus foliage. There are no prolegs in the center of the body of the larvae, causing them to move in a distinct looping or measuring motion. Female moths lay up to 100 light green, spherical eggs on the tree foliage, creating several generations of the loopers every year. Citrus looper larvae eat the new emerging foliage of trees as well as flowers and immature fruit. Young larvae feed on lower leaf areas along leaf margins. The 1 1/2-inch-long mature larvae create holes in foliage with their feeding and often consume the entire leaf. Control includes the introduction of natural enemies such as Apanteles sp. into infested trees.

Citrus Cutworm

• Citrus cutworm (Xylomyges curialis) is a foliage-damaging insect of citrus trees with the larvae eating the leaves, flowers and fruit on trees, preferring the edges of new foliage. Mature larvae create holes in foliage, fruit and flowers. The young larvae are light green in color and develop a pinkish or brown color as they mature with a white stripe on either side of the body. The adult moths are gray. Biological control includes the use of natural enemies in trees. Chemical control options includes applications of spinosad when caterpillars are young.

Citrus Leafminer

• Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) is a 1/4-inch-long, light-colored moth with silvery, white forewings. The larvae feed on young citrus foliage and create tunnels and mines in the leaves with their feeding. The moths reach their larval state inside the tunneled holes and mines of the foliage. The larval feeding leaves behind a residual trail of frass or feces under the leaf surface. Younger trees are more susceptible to citrus leafminer damage. Few insecticides are wholly effective without also harming a number of helpful insects. The use of pheromone traps are a good control option.