Citrus Leprosis Fruit, Leaf, and Stem Symptom Identification

Citrus Leprosis Facts

• Nonsystemic virus, does not move throughout the tree.
• Spread by various flat mite species (Brevipalpus spp.).
• Primarily affects sweet orange and mandarin varieties, but other varieties can be affected.
• Limes are known to be asymptomatic, possibly resistant.
• Lesions are the result of the virus being injected by flat mite feeding.
• Disease management begins with managing the mites.

Fruit Symptoms

• Early symptoms are chlorotic lesions on fruit (see other side).
• Early lesions on fruit are flat, generally circular with early stages of necrosis.
• Older necrotic lesions turn rusty-red to brown with depressed centers and surrounded by a yellowish halo in immature fruit.
• Older lesions can exhibit concentric green rings within the lesion (also called zone pattern).
• Under high temperatures, the necrotic center may crack.

Leaf Symptoms

• 1 to 3 centimeters (0.39 to 1.2 inches) in diameter on both sides of the leaf.
• Start as chlorotic circular lesions.
• Later become brown in color with pinpoint pattern on yellow background.
• Lesions on leaves are usually flat but later become slightly raised.

Stem Symptoms

• Early stage, shallow lesions on stem.
• Reddish-brown color and are irregular, raised.
• Older lesions cause corky, scaly bark.