Identification

• Sooty mold is common on citrus trees that suffer from infestations of aphids or scale insects. Certain types of insects produce sticky excrement known as honeydew, which causes a black fungal coating on Florida citrus trees.
  
  

Symptoms

• Florida citrus trees with sooty mold develop mold on leaves, twigs, branches and fruit. The effects of sooty mold are primarily cosmetic. Some citrus trees can suffer from a lack of sunlight because of heavy fungal growth, causing trees to produce light colored fruit.
  
  

Control

• Controlling insects in Florida citrus trees is the key to preventing and controlling sooty mold development. Many insects that cause sooty mold are controlled by applying horticultural oils to citrus trees.