If you have an avocado tree growing in your backyard, experts say you need to be vigilant about a disease that has made a comeback and can destroy your fruit.

It’s called Sunblotch Viroid, a microscopic invader that can spread easily.

CBS Miami spoke with tropical fruit specialist Dr. Jonathan Crane at the University of Florida’s Research and Education Center in Homestead about the disease. He says a local farmer spotted the disease and notified him, prompting Crane to issue a warning.

Laurel wilt wiped out half of trees 

Crane has worked for decades at the research center. He says that while the laurel wilt fungus wiped out nearly half of the avocado trees in South Florida, newly planted avocado trees are now susceptible to Sunblotch Viroid.

The disease leaves deep yellow scars on the fruit.

“You can have Viroid in a tree that doesn’t show symptoms. It can spread from seeds and root stock,” Crane said.

Crane advises growers with infected trees: “If it has it, they need to properly remove the tree entirely.”

Farmers inspect trees for signs 

David Maes, manager of Marando Farms and Ranch in Davie, said the operation has had no Sunblotch issues but that he inspects the organic avocado trees regularly.

“It’s always a concern. You worry you will have to dig up a row,” Maes said. “That’s what happened with the citrus greening outbreak that happened 15 years ago. Tens of millions of citrus trees had to be destroyed because of a bug.”

Serious threat to avocado production 

Crane says farmers and home growers should take the Sunblotch threat seriously.

“We have to look out. Because trees can be reduced 14 to 80 percent,” he said.

If you suspect you have an infected tree, Crane says you can take leaf samples to your local agricultural extension office. For a fee, they can test for confirmation.

If you’d like more information, contact the UF/IFAS TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic in Homestead.   

In the face of challengers, Donalds’ campaign has highlighted his polling advantage.

• U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leads in polls for the Florida GOP gubernatorial nomination with 45% support.
• The election is a year away, but rivals like former House Speaker Paul Renner and perhaps Lt. Gov. Jay Collins are beginning to challenge Donalds.
• But a large portion of Republican voters, nearly 50%, remain undecided in the race.

Less than 12 months until the election, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has the backing of President Donald Trump, is comfortably ahead in polls for the GOP nomination to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

But there are signs the sleepy race is sparking to life: Donalds’ rivals are lining up to attack the Naples Republican and chip away at his lead in the polls.

Former House Speaker Paul Renner released an extensive economic platform on Nov. 14 focused on affordability – a topic top of mind for voters in the recent off-year elections in New Jersey and Virginia.

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is a former Green Beret in the U.S. Army who was elected to the Florida Senate in 2022. DeSantis selected him to fill the vacant lieutenant governor position in August, fueling speculation he’d later run to replace the term-limited DeSantis next year.

Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard’s Florida State jersey was retired Sunday.

Howard wore No. 33 for the Seminoles from 2010-14, starting 127 games. She also holds heralded spots in program history:

• 1,811 points, fourth-most
• 1,046 rebounds, second
• 186 blocked shots, fourth

Offseason drama: WNBA, WNBAPA agree to 30-day extension to negotiate new CBA

Howard’s scoring total was second when she left the program. She led FSU in career rebounds before Fever teammate Makalya Timpson (2021-25) grabbed more. The blocks were third most when Howard left, but Timpson has more.

The Fever selected Howard fifth overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft, and she played her first two seasons in Indiana. She returned in 2025 free agency, averaging 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds for the league semifinalists.

Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67.  Subscribe to IndyStar’s YouTube page for Fever Insiders Live.