Acid Lime Leaf Miner - High Yields Agro

Symptoms

Leaf Mining: The most noticeable symptom is the serpentine mines that appear as silvery, winding trails on the leaf surface. These trails may darken over time as the leaf tissue dies.
Leaf Curling and Distortion: Affected leaves may curl, distort, or become puckered due to the larval feeding inside the leaf.
Reduced Photosynthesis: The mining disrupts the photosynthetic ability of the leaves, weakening the plant and reducing growth and yield, especially if young trees or new flushes are heavily infested.

Identification

Adult Leaf Miner:
- Appearance: Adults are small moths, about 2-3 mm in length, with a wingspan of 4-5 mm. They are silvery white with iridescent wings, fringed with long hairs. A black spot is typically present on each wing.
- Behavior: Adults are nocturnal and are most active during the evening and night. They lay eggs singly on the undersides of young, tender leaves.
Larvae (Leaf Miner Larvae):
- Appearance: Larvae are tiny (up to 3 mm), yellowish-green, and appear almost transparent.
- Behavior: The larvae tunnel between the upper and lower surfaces of young leaves, creating serpentine mines filled with frass (larval excrement). This mining disrupts the leaf tissue, causing characteristic twisting and curling of leaves.

Management

Prune Infested Shoots: Regularly prune and destroy infested shoots and leaves to reduce the population of leaf miners. This practice is especially important in young trees or new flushes.
Avoid Excessive Pruning: Excessive pruning can stimulate new growth, which is more susceptible to leaf miner infestation. Prune only when necessary and in a way that minimizes excessive new growth.
Natural Predators and Parasitoids: Introduce or encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps (Ageniaspis citricola and Citrostichus phyllocnistoides) that attack leaf miner larvae. These biological control agents can significantly reduce leaf miner populations.
Beneficial Insects: Predatory beetles and lacewings also feed on leaf miner larvae and can help control their numbers.