Beetle, fungus threaten Florida's avocado industry

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, …