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One experiment was undertaken to determine the effect of injection of Metasystox into lime tree trunk Citnls aurantifolia Christm in spring 1997. Mean percent of citrus leaf mined areas Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton
(Lepidoptera: Gracillaridae) per leaf of 1. 5. and 20 year old trees respectively were as follows (first week after injection): Injected treatment: 4, 3.5 and 6.2%. Control treatment: 45, 43 and 35%. Mean number of citrus oriental
mite Eutetranychus orientalis Klein (Acarina: Tetranychidae) per leaf of 5 and 20 year old trees were as follows: Injected treatment: 0, O. Control treatment:
3, 2. And mean number of southern mealybug Nipaecoccus viridis New (Homoptera: Diaspididae) were as follows: Injected treatment: 0, O. Control treatment: 2.5, 1. 1. The treatments showed little effect of phytotoxicity. The
injection of insecticide was more effect on young trees than old ones. A technique for injecting water - soluble insecticides such as Metasystox, into
citrus tree trunks to control citrus pests is described. Ordinary disposable plastic syringes, which can be used repeadly, are used. The adventages of this
type of treatment compared to conventional spray techniques can be summarized as follows: 1 - The application and absorption of the required
dosage of insecticide for pest control takes only a few minutes per tree. 2 - As the entire plant system is poisoned all insects, including those in the most
concealed hiding places, can be reached. In this way it should be possible with selected chemicals to control special pests and diseases. 3 - There is no reason
why a tree should not be fully sterile after treatment. In the case of certain


pests the chances of reinfestation after treatment should be reduced considerably as survival of some individuals after normal spraying is usually the main cause of reinfestation. 4 - If reinfestation occurs subsequently from
outside, natural enemies will be able to attack the pest unhindered as no insecticide residues will be present on the tree.