Brian Bahder , a scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences ( UF / IFAS ) , can now trace how lethal yellowing and lethal bronzing , two virulent disease attacking more than 19 species of palm tree diagram , was established in Florida .
While lethal yellowing plagues Florida palms , the worm know as Haplaxius crudus that is transmitting the disease fare from Jamaica .
The findings , published in the latest offspring ofPhytoFrontiers , show unexampled molecular data on the louse and the epidemiology of these mortal palm diseases – a major reveal in the battle to manage the movement of the insect and potential new outbreaks .
Haplaxius crudus . Photo courtesy Brian Bahder .
The inquiry mark the first meter the epidemiology of the disease - causing bacterium has been studied in connection with the dirt ball responsible for transfer the disease . For the report , Bahder and his co-worker fromThe Palm Phytoplasma Diagnostic Clinicat theUF / IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Centerconducted resume and genic sequencing of the suspect insect in Florida and smother states . There were 236 specimens collected throughout Florida . For comparison , the team also looked at sample of insect from Columbia , Costa Rica , and Jamaica , and analyzed data from shipping records . The diseases all point to the plant hopper known as Haplaxius crudus as the culprit .
From Jamaica to FloridaThe determination show that the insect , originating from Jamaica , was already carrying the bacterium that cause lethal yellowing in the Caribbean when it established and transmitted the disease to Florida palm trees . This is in crisp direct contrast to the former assumptions of the disease establishing in Florida through the importation of septic plants .
“ From the historical records , we conceive the movement of coconut palms in the early 1900s to the U.S. , combine with the lack of Haplaxius crudus in sample collections to operate from , and the sudden coming into court in South Florida , the species was introduced with lethal yellowing already , ” saidBahder .
Data is neededLearning where and how a pest carrying a lethal disease originates and evolves in a geographic area provides scientists with much - needed data in how a disease is identified , located , and can be handle , explains Bahder . For consumers , nurseries , and the medallion industry , there are extra important takeaway .
“ We know that populations of this insect are moving in the Caribbean and bringing plant pathogens with them , ” added Bahder . “ It has happened doubly now , first resulting in deadly yellowing and then with deadly bronzing . ”
Bahder warn that this scenario is probable to chance again . “ This study also evidence that we are going to be coming across these invasive species and it highlight the penury for constant monitoring and surveillance in laurel wreath so we can key out new threats , ” said Bahder . “ Knowing what case of bug is creditworthy helps our sketch elbow grease of the disease and insect and can perhaps help us identify new invasions faster and hopefully prevent future outbreaks . ”
Dr. Bahder analyzing H crudus . Photo good manners L. Mederos .
Think your ribbon may be infected by Haplaxius crudus ? The Palm Phytoplasma Diagnostic Clinic at the UF / IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center can process jaundiced sticky yap to limit the presence of H. crudus and decide if the local population carries the disease . sample distribution submission formsand statement can be find atwww.bahderlab.comunder the “ Services ” pill .
