Citrus leafhopper is an insect that infects the tender young vegetation of all citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange, mandarin, kumquat, bergamot, citrus and grapefruit. Foliage poses a significant risk to young nursery seedlings, grafted trees, and new citrus plantations.
The citrus phyllocnistis Phyllocnistis citrella is a small insect, a small butterfly that prefers fresh, tender citrus vegetation and especially fresh grafts. It lays its eggs on the lower surface of the leaf and, the worm that comes out, creates serpentine galleries in the leaves and causes a general cachexia in the trees.
Infected leaves roll, twist, discolor and their surface is covered by galleries. The above damages result in the reduction of their photosynthetic activity or even their drying.
Tackle
Leaf control is extremely difficult and requires the implementation of a comprehensive control plan that combines cultivation measures and spraying. Initially, manure fertilization and nitrogen fertilizers should be done early so as not to encourage new vegetation during the period when the insect can develop high populations. Also, in early spring the greedy shoots should be cut, starting from the bottom and going up to the top of the tree, without branches. Also, the tender vegetation needs to be protected with appropriate insecticides with preventive sprays from the end of May onwards and the repetition of the operations in the autumn months.
