Caterpillars

• Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies. Caterpillars eat constantly from the time they hatch until they are ready to create a cocoon. When feeding on lemon trees, caterpillars cause a number of problems.
  
  

Effects

• Caterpillars eat the leaves of lemon trees, which weakens the trees and prevents them from photosynthesizing. The wounds caterpillars leave in the trees also make them more susceptible to fungal infections and damage from other pests.
  
  

Control

• Pesticides and physical removal and destruction of caterpillars help control the caterpillar population and reduce the damage done to the lemon tree. Remove damaged leaves from the lemon tree to limit the likelihood that the tree will contract fungal or bacterial diseases.