I have a key lime that has started flushing--growth is about 2-3 inches--and it already has leaf miners all over the leaves! ARRRGH

One small leaf had 4 or 5 miners in it!

I guess we won't get our normal miner free spring flush this year if the winter continues this mild--it has been in the 70s for most of the past 2 weeks.

Wish I could say I was surprised, but I can't. Here in the Gainessville area we've had eighteen days over 75 degrees since the first of December. All of my grove citrus has started growing, the figs, roses, everything. Good thing I just sprayed oil on the container citrus to get rid of the aphids or I'd probably see the miners here as well.

It's supposed to cool down and act more seasonal later this week. Maybe it will.

.....Alan.

I was reading the book "The Truth About Organic Gardening" and came across the insecticide Abamectin. Although, I am not recommending its use on citrus, as I have no idea if it is listed on the label or not, but nonetheless, I did find it very interesting. Actually, I have no idea what plants are on its label. However, Abamectin works to kill insects by affecting the transmission of messages from the insects brain to the muscles. Abamectin will absorb through the leaf surface, when the chemical is placed on it, meaning that an entire leaf will become toxic to insects despite the fact that the entire leaf wasn't treated. Abamectin is not considered a true systemic, because it is NOT TRANSFERRED through the tree stem tissue. So I assume a single leaf could be treated, if so desired, as Abamectin evidently will not translocate to the next leaf. Abamectin offers control of insects only for up to thirty days (30) and known to be PARTICULARLY effective against LEAF MINERS, and thrips. It is considered only moderately toxic to humans if it is ingested. Abamectin has a EIQ of 38. Any way I though it sounded interesting. Here in Colorado we do not have leaf miners, so I would never have a need for control. My first thought was on seedling no fruit trees, depending on the label. . - Millet

Here in England we don't have citrus leaf miners outside, but they can be imported from Mediterranean countries where most ornamental citrus plants are grown for the UK market.
Several years ago, I found leaf miners in my winter-heated greenhouse and I was determined to eliminate them. I found that Abemectin (various spellings) was the only product that suggested it could provide total control, but it isn't available for non-commercial growers. So I had to buy a trade quantity - at considerable expense. I sprayed twice - and have never seen a leaf miner again!
As no-one grows citrus commercially in the UK, there was no mention of it on the label. Just to be on the safe side, I didn't eat any of the fruit for one year.

Mike, Abamectin EIQ's number of 38 is a rather moderate low number. EIQ stands for "Environmental Impact Quotient". The EIQ is a standardized way to look at pesticides, both organic and synthetic, to determine the differences in their relative dangers to humans and the environment. The highest EIQs are likely to be around 100 and the lowest around 10. The higher the number, the greater the chance that the pesticide will negatively impact people (including the environment), and the lower the number, the lower the potential for impact. With a rating of 38 Abamectin is a rather safe product. I especially like the short life span of only 30 days. - Millet

Anyone know where I can buy Abamectin? I would only need a small quantity.

Thanks!
M

I purchased it from Sunshine Gardens. It works better if mixed with horticultural oil.
Karl

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI049
Insecticides and miticides registered for use on Florida citrus (as well as kumquat) include azadirachtin (Azatin®), abamectin (Agri-Mek®), acephate (Orthene® - for non-bearing citrus), aldicarb (Temik®), azinphos-methyl (Guthion®), bifenthrin (Capture®), Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin®), cryolite (Kryocide®), chlorpyrifos (Lorsban®), carbaryl (Sevin®), dimethoate (Cygon®), dicofol (Kelthane®), diflubenzuron (Micromite), ethion, endosulfan (Thiodan® - for use on non-bearing trees only), fenoxycarb (Logic® - for ants on non-bearing trees only), formetanate (Carzol®), fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex®), imidacloprid (Admire®), malathion (Atrapa®), methomyl (Lannate®), methidathion (Supracide®), insecticidal oil (Sunspray®), oxamyl (Vydate®), oxydemeton-methyl (Metasystox-R®), propargite (Comite®), pyrethrin + rotenone (Pyrellin®), pyridaben (Sanmite®), insecticidal soap (Safer®), and sulfur (23). Additionally, metaldehyde is labeled for slug and snail contol.


http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CG017
2009 Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide: Pesticides Registered for Use on Florida Citrus
Check Table 4. I don't want to recreate it here.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI036
Florida Crop/Pest Management Profiles: Citrus (Oranges/Grapefruit)
ABAMECTIN. This microbial fermentation product is a chloride-channel activating glycoside. It is used in the management of mites, citrus psyllid, citrus thrips, and citrus leafminer. Use has been decreasing as resistance has been observed in certain mite populations. The price of abamectin is $4,570 per pound of active ingredient, and the approximate cost of a maximum labeled application (0.023 lb ai/A) is $107 (14,15). The label states that no more than 0.023 lb ai/A can be applied to any one crop and not to make more than one application per season. The restricted entry interval (REI) is 12 hours and the pre-harvest interval (PHI) is seven days.

In 2005, Florida orange growers applied an average of 0.008 pound of abamectin per acre at each application to 19 percent of their acreage, an average of 1.5 times. Total usage was 1,300 pounds of active ingredient (13). During the years in which usage data have been collected, orange growers in Florida have applied abamectin at an average rate ranging from 0.007 to 0.009 pound of active ingredient per acre at each application, to between 15 and 36 percent of their acreage. Growers have made an average number of applications ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 times each year, totaling between 900 and 2,300 pounds of active ingredient annually (13,16).

In 2005, Florida grapefruit growers applied an average of 0.01 pound of abamectin per acre at each application to 67 percent of their acreage, an average of 1.1 times. Total usage was 600 pounds of active ingredient (13). During the years in which usage data have been collected, grapefruit growers in Florida have applied abamectin at an average rate ranging from 0.009 to 0.01 pound of active ingredient per acre at each application, to between 46 and 78 percent of their acreage. Growers have made an average number of applications ranging from 1.0 to 1.3 times each year, totaling between 500 and 1,100 pounds of active ingredient annually (13,16).

There's probably more to be found, but that's a good start.

.....Alan.