Pink Eureka lemons. (University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Research Center in Waddell). Photo by Christine Keith on 1/27/01. DIT. Waddell. AZR
Q: I am having a problem with my lemon tree. The leaves start out normally, then curl and have a whitish/grayish line on them. I am hoping that someone can help me figure out what to do.
A: An insect called thrips is feeding on your citrus leaves. These tiny insects get inside the leaf bud and feed on the new growth. Their feeding damage causes the disfigured leaves but it doesn’t do any serious damage to the tree.
The leaves are still able to photosynthesize and the tree will still produce fruit. So the nice thing is you don’t have to do anything.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to
