Most of the 2-3yr trees I got from fourwinds this summer have a few leaves with a wispy, sticky, white silk in the center that the leaf curls around. I just noticed as it was getting dark so I couldn't really get a good look but I did not see any sort of insects or eggs in the silk. I brushed them off but I am curious what created it. From looking around in the pest forum it seems like it might be leaf miners but the affected leaves appear full grown, not new growth. Any ideas?

I would take a picture but it's already dark out.

I haven't had to spray my citrus with any chemicals yet but I have a small assortment of sprays for my apple tree. Horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, fruit tree combo spray, etc. Whatever it is doesn't seem to be causing any significant damage but I don't want it to get worse.

Check the underside of the leaves for tiny (barely noticable) brownish spider mites. They make small webs and lay their eggs in some sort of webbing that makes the leaves curl. I have the same problem right now. I've read that the best treatment is to thouroughly spray the plant daily with a mix of water and some mild dishwashing soap. Apparently they hate moisture and the soap makes them lose their grip on the leaves.

I also am begining to have this problem as well. It will not harm the plant to spray it w/ water that has a little soap in it? Would a drop or two of concentrated dish soap in a 12 oz spray bottle full of water be ok?

Without seeing the curled leaves, it is impossible to say what you have. However, regular spiders will spin a white web "nest" and curl the leaf as protection for their young. I never kill spiders in my greenhouse, as they make good predators of other insects. I see curled leaves that are held together by the webbing all the time. I leave them alone so as not to disturb the spider. There are usually 100s of baby spider in each nest.- Millet (1,375-)

I agree it is probably spider mites. Millet also brings up a good point, I have many spider nest in my trees as well.

Many people freak out when they see damage to the leaves on their trees, but most of the damage is normal and nothing to worry about. Leaf miners will damage leaves in all of the citrus growing areas of the world. Grass hoppers love citrus leaves.

If you want a perfect tree you will need to use a systemic insecticide like Bayer Admire pro or tree and shrub ...

If you want to consume the fruit, you have to deal with some insect damage...

I did a little research on spider mites and I'm about 99% sure they're my problem. I considered regular spiders at first too (which I would welcome), but the webbing is not like any spider webs I have ever seen before (kind of thin?). I rarely see spiders in my place (plant is indisde) and it was on more of the leaves than not.

I wiped down each of the leaves this morning with a damp paper towel and sprayed the plant throughly with a 12 oz water bottle with a drop of dish soap and a teaspoon of rubbing alchohol (full of water of course). I finally got to set my plant outside for the first time today (nice weather for a change) and when I brought it in tonight the leaves looked healthy and there were two lady bugs on it which I hear will help with other bugs. I plan to give it the same treatment once a week for the next two weeks also.

I know the soap and alcohol were both quite diluted, but is that method really safe for the tree? I gave the growth medium a good watering a few hours after I sprayed it just to be safe. I have read about many people using this method or something similar so I would assume it to be safe, but I was just curious. I know no plant/tree will ever be free of pests, but this is just my first encounter of citrus bugs and am probably over-worrying.

Joe

I forgot about this thread until I was poking around again in this topic.

I think it was actually a regular spider. I found a yellow-tan spider crawling around on my trees shortly after posting this thread. I had recently moved them inside for the winter. One day I found two leaves which were stuck together in a small mass of web, with the spider sitting inside. Maybe this type of spider doesn't make typical long stringy webs? I can't tell if he built it or just found it a convenient hiding spot.

I'll take a picture if I ever see it again.

Spiders frequently use citrus leaves to build a nest for soon to arrive young. They curl the leaves for protection of their offspring. I see this all the time with my greenhouse trees. Very common. Millet (1,356-)