Lethal Decline of Phoenix Palms in Texas Associated with Mycoplasmalike Organisms. R. E. McCoy, University of Florida Agricultural Research Center, Fort Lauderdale 33314. M. E. Miller, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Weslaco 78596; D. L. Thomas, University of Florida Agricultural Research Center, Fort Lauderdale 33314; and J. Amador, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Weslaco 78596. Plant Dis. 64:1038-1040. Copyright 1980 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-1038.

A rapid lethal decline of Phoenix canariensis and P. dactylifera palms was recently observed in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Symptoms were identical to those of declines associated with lethal yellowing of Phoenix palms in Florida. Electron microscopic examination of tissue samples from dying palms in Texas showed mycoplasmalike organisms within phloem sieve elements. We conclude that the geographical range of lethal yellowing has extended from Florida and the Caribbean to Texas.