An unassuming beetle carrying a fungus on its back has the potential to devastate Florida's avocado industry, according to a study done by UF experts.
When the redbay ambrosia beetle bores into a tree, it carries laurel wilt disease, a fungus that grows and blocks necessary water and tissue and eventually kills its host, according to Jonathan Crane, professor at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, who co-authored the study.
"This can do dramatic damage very quickly," Crane said, stating that the total economic impact of the disease - including crop, jobs and materials - could be as high as $54 million within a year.
For now, Crane says he and his team are working on ways to prevent the spread of the disease from reaching Miami-Dade County, where 7,500 acres are dedicated to growing avocados commercially.
Craig Smouse, produce manager at Ward's Supermarket in Gainesville, said the store imports its avocados from Homestead and that they sell 50 to 60 cases of Florida avocados every week. The fruit, used to make guacamole, is especially popular on the days leading up to the Super Bowl.
"It's even more popular than on Cinco de Mayo," Smouse said.
If the disease did cause a shortage, Smouse said, Ward's would be forced to raise the price on the relatively cheap Florida avocado, although they would still carry the other varieties from Mexico and California.
"But people in Gainesville prefer to buy locally grown, fresh Florida avocados," Smouse said.
Laurel wilt could also affect the nearly 60,000 Florida residents who have at least one avocado tree in their yards, like Melissa Espino, a biology major who has a tree at home in Miami.
"We probably won't eat as many now," Espino said. "My family really likes their avocados, too."
The disease has reached as far south as Okeechobee County and as far west as Columbia County, according to a press release.
"I hope when this thing shows up it's not a big deal," Crane said. "But that's not looking like the case. It's not a matter of if but a matter of when."
