Beetle, fungus threaten Florida's avocado industry

MIAMI -- A little beetle could cause big problems for Florida's multimillion-dollar avocado industry.

Scientists are tracking the redbay ambrosia beetle as it crisscrosses the southeastern United States, spreading a fungus that is killing avocado trees. The beetle and the fungus it transmits could be devastating in Florida, the country's second-largest avocado producer.

The fungus, called laurel wilt disease, has so far only affected the avocado trees of homeowners and has not yet infiltrated the industry's commercial growing hub in South Florida, said University of Florida plant pathologist Randy Ploetz.

It has already been recorded Okeechobee County, however, which is dangerously close to Miami-Dade County, where most of the state's 7,500 acres of commercial trees are planted.

"It has not reached us yet," Ploetz said, "but it's only 100 miles away."

About 60,000 Floridians have at least one avocado tree growing in their yards. Florida's avocado industry brings in about $30 million annually.

Florida trails only California, which has not yet been infiltrated by the pest, in avocado production nationwide. Under a rough estimate in which half of the state's commercial avocado trees died, it would mean a total economic impact of about $27 million, including lost jobs, said UF agricultural economist Gilly Evans.

"It could wipe out the entire industry," he said.

Evans estimated that about $250,000 had been spent on research, with scientists working to find a treatment that could slow the disease's spread. But possible pesticides or fungicides might present health risks or be too expensive for growers.

In Miami-Dade, there is little Craig Wheeling can do to protect his Homestead-based business. The CEO of Brooks Tropicals says the impending threat of laurel wilt disease bears a striking resemblance to citrus canker, which struck Florida orange and lime growers years ago, causing millions of dollars in damage.

"Having gone through that mess in the early 2000s, we're very concerned when we see the redbay ambrosia beetle coming down," he said.