Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Identifies Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado Production Area of Miami-Dade County

Disease Threatens Health of Avocado Trees, a $13 Million Industry in South Florida

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) have confirmed the presence of laurel wilt on an avocado tree in a commercial block in the northern tier of the Miami-Dade County avocado production area. Laurel wilt is a destructive disease transmitted by the redbay ambrosia beetle into trees in the laurel family (Lauraceae) including redbay, swamp bay and the economically important avocado.

“The find of laurel wilt in a commercial avocado grove is a major concern,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “Unaddressed, the disease can spread quickly, threatening the health of South Florida’s commercial avocado industry. We’re working with our partners and the industry to diagnose other trees in proximity to the finding and mitigate the spread of the disease.”