Palm tree disease in Florida, USA transmitted by traveling bug from Jamaica

Published 2021년 9월 1일

Tridge summary

Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that the American palm cixiid, a species of insect found in Florida, has been spreading phytoplasmas, the bacteria that cause palm diseases, across the Caribbean basin. The insect was found to have four distinct DNA groups in Florida, with similarities to a group in Jamaica, suggesting that the insects from Jamaica were introduced to Florida. This discovery marks the first time the epidemiology of palm phytoplasmas has been studied in relation to the transmitting insect. The research has generated molecular data that can be used to understand the species in other areas. The American palm cixiid has been found as far north as South Carolina.

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Original content

What began as a curious survey of an insect in Florida revealed a much larger network of movement across the Caribbean basin. Haplaxius crudus, commonly known as the American palm cixiid, transmits phytoplasmas (bacteria that cause plant diseases) in palm. The American palm cixiid is known to transmit lethal yellowing disease and lethal bronzing disease, both of which are lethal to a variety of palm species, especially coconut and date palms. While many scientists have assumed these pathogens migrated to Florida in infected plants, Brian Bahder at the University of Florida wondered if the real culprits were the insects themselves. To test this suspicion, Bahder and his colleagues began by categorizing the insect's DNA in Florida, where they found four distinct ...

Source: Phys