Bahder Lab - Vector Entomology

Relevant Documents for Sample Submission

​

Palm Sample submission form

 

Formulario para envío de muestras de fitoplasmas en palmeras

​

Palm Sampling instructions

​

Sticky Trap submission form

​

Formulario de envío de trampas adhesivas para insectos

​

Sticky Trap instructions

​

Instrucciones para las trampas adhesivas para insectos

​

Lethal Bronzing Disease (LBD) - EDIS

​

Lethal Yellowing (LY) - EDIS

​

My lab offers a testing service for palms suspected to be infected with phytoplasmas.  This service allows stakeholders to confirm that a phytoplasma (either LY or LBD) was responsible for the decline of the palm in question.  The workflow for this service begins with stakeholders taking proper samples.  Following the sample taking, specimens are shipped overnight to FLREC for processing.  Results are generally sent in 2 weeks but depending on the number samples we have or commitments to various projects, this time can vary.

​

I do offer an expedited service for $30 and results with letter will be received within 72 hours of receiving sample.  If the expedited service is required, please coordinate with myself at bbahder@ufl.edu or Ericka Helmick at ehelmick@ufl.edu.

​

If a palm tests positive for either LY or LBD, I recommend immediate removal and destruction of the palm regardless of whether symptoms are present or not.  If a palm tests negative for LY and LBD but you believe it is at risk of infection due to nearby palms testing positive or showing symptoms, I recommend preventative injections of antibiotics (for instructions and relevant information on this process, click here).  If a palm is positive, I highly recommend sampling and testing nearby palms that that may lack symptoms.  A palm in the latent stage of the infection can have the phytoplasma but lack visible symptoms and still contribute to further spread of the disease.  A list of susceptible hosts can be found in the LBD EDIS document above.