The split orange is a definite lack of water issue; as for the insects...I ain't no entemologist, but they look like white spider mites; you can just wash them off, if you only have one tree... or you could treat them with a horticultural oil with a little copper...

Rob, orange splitting is usually due to stress - too much or too little water, too much fertilizer, or a combination of things . For us out here in California, it is usually due to way too much water. The bugs don't look like spider mites to me - spider mites need to be seen with a magnifying glass, and those are big'uns :-) Spider mites have 3 legs, these look like 6-legged bugs. They don't look friendly, though.

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: UC Davis Home Orchard: Orange Split

I think I found your insect... a Montdorensis, predator mite released to control whitefly. If you check the link, you can learn more and see the photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: Whitefly predator

John, how does this:
{{gwi:627714}}

Look like these big green bugs (with 6 legs, therefore not in the mite family):
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Mites have 8 legs (in class Arachnida). These big green bugs have 6 legs. Have no idea what they are, but they're not mites. Are you perhaps? looking at what appear to be egg cases?

Patty S.

Well, Patty, not all mites are created equal; most of the predator mites are larger, and look like this.. the famous 2-spotted mite for almonds comes from my home town in Chico, CA. I think if you check out the other fotos on the website link, you will see critters exactly like these feeding on thrips and whitefly nymphs.

Anyway, as I said before, I don't claim to be an entemologist... and lucky for me, we don't have whitefly OR CLM here.

John, I know not all mites are created equal :-) I'm a Master Gardener, and have some knowledge about pests and their beneficial predators. I'm not an expert by any stretch, either, and not an entomologist by a long, long stretch (I'm a nurse, actually). But from everything I can find, and I have looked at about 10 sites, the Montdorensis is teeny, tiny. And they don't seem to look anything at all like these large green bugs which appear to be about a 1/4" long. Montordrensis appear clearish. Not with this very distinct, green hard shell. I looked through the link you included, and the only photo I can see for this predator mite is the one I have in my post above. Where are you seeing these gigantic predator mites (relatively speaking, as mites for the most part, and very, very tiny) on the link you provided? I must be missing the photos. Willing to be educated.

Patty S.

Whatever they are they are very docile. They didn't move as I plucked the leaf, took it inside and snapped a 3 flash photos. They resemble a tick in body shape to my eye but I've never seen any like this.

Southern green stink bug nymphs.

Montdorensis...Biology: Eggs are laid in the axils of the midvein and the lateral veins on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch into six-legged larvae that do not feed, but remain aggregated near their place of emergence. Proto- and deutonymphs and adults have eight legs, are very mobile and consume food actively

Rob, correct! I was able to get them ID's on bugguide.net. We don't have these bugs in S. California, which is why I wasn't sure what they were. And John, thanks for the update. But the Montdorenis are still much, much smaller than these guys.

Patty S.