Lime Tree Pest

Question

We have a young lime tree which is being eaten, leaf by leaf, by something we cannot identify. The pest bites the leaf off, sometimes not eating it, right down to its stem on the branch. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Though unusual, it could be slugs, particularly if it is a tree in a container.

As far as the leaves that seem to be bitten off, this could also be leaf loss related to uneven watering. Citrus trees will drop seemingly healthy leaves after being watered after being dry too long. They may appear that they were plucked off the tree.

When they pest bites the leaves, what does the damage look like? Do partial leaves disappear or always whole leaves?

Answer 2

Thanks for this. Whatever it is snaps the leaves off at the base – it looks as though the whole leaf has been bitten off. The plants are watered automatically every day at the same time.