They’re ants. For sure. Not likely to be the cause of the symptoms you’re describing. The only way I can imagine they could cause that is if they had damaged a substantial portion of the roots while nesting, but I think that is extremely unlikely. I would look for another culprit.
Check the undersides of leaves and stem joints for aphids, scale, or other sap sucking bugs. AFAIK, those kinds of ants don't directly hurt the plants (except sometimes the flowers/buds, due to the nectar), but they are attracted to other bugs like aphids because they release a sweet residue called honeydew, and those bugs in large numbers can cause significant plant damage. If you're still seeing the ants, try to follow them up the tree and see where they go.
This is Camponotus festinatus, a native soil-nesting relative of carpenter ants. They're probably just nesting under your pots and are unlikely to be causing any troubles to your plant.
The leaves were curling pretty hard. My other Meyer lemon which is on my upstairs porch was not. I put her in a tray of soapy water and sprinkled some DE on top. I'd love to know if anyone has knowledge on this.
Depending how far out this plant is from the house/cover, it's totally possible this plant's leaves got a bit upset with the cold wind while your porch lemon is fine thusfar. Or these ants are farming a pest like aphids. Regardless, it's not the ants causing the issue.
It’s an ant
Had no idea they could do damage like this!
I don’t think it was the ants.
They’re ants. For sure. Not likely to be the cause of the symptoms you’re describing. The only way I can imagine they could cause that is if they had damaged a substantial portion of the roots while nesting, but I think that is extremely unlikely. I would look for another culprit.
Check the undersides of leaves and stem joints for aphids, scale, or other sap sucking bugs. AFAIK, those kinds of ants don't directly hurt the plants (except sometimes the flowers/buds, due to the nectar), but they are attracted to other bugs like aphids because they release a sweet residue called honeydew, and those bugs in large numbers can cause significant plant damage. If you're still seeing the ants, try to follow them up the tree and see where they go.
This is Camponotus festinatus, a native soil-nesting relative of carpenter ants. They're probably just nesting under your pots and are unlikely to be causing any troubles to your plant.
I thought it was a lemon ant
The leaves were curling pretty hard. My other Meyer lemon which is on my upstairs porch was not. I put her in a tray of soapy water and sprinkled some DE on top. I'd love to know if anyone has knowledge on this.
Depending how far out this plant is from the house/cover, it's totally possible this plant's leaves got a bit upset with the cold wind while your porch lemon is fine thusfar. Or these ants are farming a pest like aphids. Regardless, it's not the ants causing the issue.