Arizona ’s warm clime lends itself to mature citrus tree Tree , and it is one of only four body politic with pregnant citrus production in the United States . In particular , lemons and tangerines are grown in Arizona . Several gadfly of citrus tree are endemic to the state and ambit from mild nuisances to significant threat .
Orange Dog Caterpillar
Orange wiener caterpillars are the larvae of the elephantine swallowtail butterfly . They have a mottled appearance , range in color from light brown to dark gray . When disturbed , the caterpillar produces a characteristic odour that smells of lemon . While not considered a substantial terror to mature trees , they can cause damage to new , less live tree diagram . These cat are usually controlled by crushing the eggs or picking the caterpillars by hand .
Aphids
Both the cotton and melon aphid onslaught citrus trees . These insects have been known to transmit the tristeza virus , any serious and often fateful disease of citrus plant life . They are best see to it biologically by using good insects such as ladybugs or lacewing to control populations . Parasitic wasps may also be used .
Scale Insects
Female cottony - cushion scale are just about 1/2 inch long , lily-livered to orange in coloring material , and are often spread over with yellowish wax ridgeline . Both the eggs and newly cover dirt ball are bright crimson in people of colour . California Red Scale are usually found within the Phoenix area . They come out as small blood-red dark-brown spots that are most visible when on yield . These are a significant test of citrus tree Tree . If scale is find , trees should be treated immediately . Branches infected with this insect should be removed and destroyed . Organic control with beneficial insect , such as ladybug , is efficient .
Citrus Peelminer
Found primarily in Central Arizona , citrus peelminers often attack grapefruit and navel oranges . The larva of a modest gray moth , the citrus peelminer will burrow beneath the hide of citrus fruit and provender , mining tiny burrow , and damage the fruit cosmetically .
Wooly Whiteflies
Wooly whitefly are comparatively new to Arizona and are soon confined to the domain around Yuma . They are small flying louse with a ashen waxy extend on their wings and dead body . They damage citrus trees by feed on industrial plant sap . This make the leaves to wilt and drop from the tree when the louse is present in sufficient numbers . raw parasites and predators have proven to be an effective control of this insect .
Thrips
Thrips are one of the most significant pests of citrus fruit trees in Arizona . They are worm with thin , tubular body . They are very diminished , usually not reaching more than 1/16 in in duration and have narrow-minded wing dress with tiny hairs . There are two types of thripid that involve citrous fruit tree . efflorescence thrip feed on citrus flower . Citrus thrips in the main feed on new leaf and pocket-sized fruit early in the time of year . Citrus thrip are the half the size of blossom thripid and light in color . These insects generally produce only cosmetic harm to fruit , although this can reduce the value of crops intend for sales event to fresh markets .
Citrus Mites
Citrus mite are tiny arachnid , like to spiders , but much smaller . In fact , they are hard to see without the help of a magnifying glass . Threat species in Arizona include the Texas citrus mite , the two - spotted soupcon and the Yuma spider hint . They have eight legs and orotund bodies . hint often occur during time of water system stress when dusty condition hold . They round the leaves of citrus trees , producing tiny yellow spots on the leaves . Some species produce a fine webbing between fruit or on the undersides of leaves . Proper irrigation can avail control these bantam pests .
