Lethal Bronzing Disease (LBD)
Lethal bronzing (LB) (formerly Texas Phoenix Palm Decline - TPPD) is a phytoplasma disease that causes lethal decline in 23 different species of palm species. LB is known from Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia within the United States and has also been documented in Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. LBD was first found in Florida in 2006 near Tampa and has since spread throughout much of the state, ranging as far north as Jacksonville and as far south as Key Largo. LB is caused by the phytoplasma species 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aculeata' which is a close relative to the causal agent of lethal yellowing (LY), 'Ca. P. palmae'.
Current research efforts on this disease in Florida involve both basic and applied studies that help to understand the biology of the pathogen the ultimate goal of managing the disease to prevent significant economic loss to the green industries of Florida (i.e. Nurseries, Landscaping, etc.). Current ongoing projects in the lab include...
1) Vector identification
2) Transmission mechanics
3) Development of novel diagnostic tools
4) Optimization of antibiotic (oxytetracycline - hydrochloride) and insecticide treatments for infected palms