Crops Affected: Citrus and closely related plants (kumquat and calamondin). It has also been found on cinnamon, jasmine, mistletoe, some legumes and willow.

States Affected: CA, TX, FL, AZ, AL, LA

Life Cycle: The larval stage is found inside tunnels or "mines" on host plant leaves. During its development, the larvae leaves a trail of dark frass (feces), visible as a thin line, within the serpentine mine just below the leaf's surface. As the larvae reaches its final stage, it exits the mine and moves to the leaf's edge. There, it rolls the leaf around itself and undergoes pupation, resulting in a distorted, rolled leaf. Adult moths, which are less than 1/4 inch long and have a lifespan of 1 to 2 weeks, do not harm plants. They are most active in the morning and evening and typically rest on the undersides of leaves. Female moths lay single eggs on the underside of host leaves, preferably on newly emerged leaflets of flush growth. The insect's entire life cycle takes 3 to 7 weeks to complete, depending on temperature. Observations suggest that there are nearly continuous generations, with six to thirteen observed per year.

Damage: The larvae mine inside newly emerging leaves, causing them to curl and distort. Mature trees can withstand damage to new leaves without significant impact on growth and fruit yield. Young trees with heavy leafminer populations may experience reduced growth but are unlikely to die.

Season to Trap: In some regions, this pest is present year round. It is most active in summer through fall.

How To Use: Severely infested trees may require 2 traps: one on either side of the tree. Grouped trees may require 1 trap for every 3 or 4 trees. Hang traps outside the foliage, shoulder high. Check trap weekly for Citrus Leafminer. As soon as you catch a couple, deploy any additional traps. When traps become 75% saturated with insects before the 30-day lure life expires, move the lure to a fresh trap and continue.

Additional IPM Solutions: Avoid practices that destroy or disrupt highly effective natural beneficial insects. Avoid pruning live branches more than once per year. Leave damaged leaves alone. Remove water sprouts. Remove suckers that grow from the trunk below the graft union. Control ants.