Meyer lemon tree sticky fruit

Question

I have fruit about 1/2″ in diameter and it is sticky. The leaves are not sticky. All the articles I have read only mention sticky leaves, not fruit. Should I wash this off the fruit?

Answer 1

You should probably just wash it off. One possibility is honeydew, which is a sticky substance secreted by sap-sucking insects like aphids and scale bugs. It can get on fruit, leaves, and everywhere else:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-honeydew.htm