Unknown Pests

Question From: 
Marion English in  Ipswich,  Ipswich QLD

 

Nature of problem: 
pests unkown

 

Type of Plant (if known): 
Lemon

 

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself): 
does not seem ill

 

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type: 
potting mix general

 

How often do you water the plant:
good water twice a eek in summer once in cooler months

 

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all day sun up till sun down and a nice spot in the garden when all sides get the sun

 

What type of plant is it:
Poted mlemon treeinature Lemon

 

How long since you planted it:
16 years

 

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
yes elightly every 6/8 weeks with citrus and dynamic lifter once a year lucerne

 

Is the plant indoors or outdoors: 
outdoors at all times

 

What other treatments have you given the plant: 
none

Upload photo if available: 
P1030310.JPG

Other Comments: 
I found to-day a log of amber color lump like toffee on one of the stems of my lemon tree which I have had for 16 years it is pruned regularly and fertilized and always bears a great crop it is potted in a large pot and looks very healthy and has flowers and fruit at different stages of growth on it When you look hard at thë topside it seems to have a little spider under neath the “toffee like substance which is not sticky I have cut out a couple of gall wasps in recent months and they were not bigger than a pea when I discovered them and cut immediately so hoping yu can help I also spray with white oil and when the fruit is coloring fruit fly spray as per directions. so hope you can shed some light on what sort of pest it is Thanks
Marion
ps it does not seem to be affecting the tree and I am just wondering what it is or who would do this???

 

Answer:  Hi Marion,  The tree is fine. The resinous material on the stem is just a natural defence mechanism against insect attack or even splitting. It sort of gunks the insect to death. This is the sign of a healthy tree.   Don