Citrus leaf miner found in all regions where Citrus sp. is grown.
The minute larvae enter the leaf tissues of tender leaves and feeding on them produces snake-like mine. This causes the leaves to curl and twist. Severe infestation causes the leaves turn pale, curl badly, dry off and growth retardation of younger trees.
The moth lays the eggs singly up to 50 on lower surface of the leaves near the mid-rib. The caterpillar enters the leaf tissue after hatching from the egg and starts mining between the two layers. The larvae excrete their faeces into the mine forming a visible trail. Pupation occurs inside the mines and tiny adult emerge after 5 to 7 days. The adults are around 2mm long, silvery white in colour with wings fringed with long hairs. They are active both in day and night. The entire life cycle takes 3 to 7 weeks to complete.