The introduction of this disease has left the state of Florida struggling to control the potential damage to palm trees in landscapes statewide.
Premature drop of the majority or all of the fruit, within a short time period (about three days), is an obvious symptom.
[2] At any palm age, early infection will show discoloration of the foliage, starting at the tips of the oldest leaves.
[5] When about a third of the oldest leaves become discolored, the spear leaf will die, displaying a tan, rather than green color.
This is a major symptom that differentiates TPPD from lethal yellowing, since LY does not experience root decay.
[8] Since phytoplasmas are not known to survive without their host (plant or insect), the process of the overwintering (unfavorable conditions) stage is unknown.
The exact spot in the cycle where the spear leaf dies is not absolute, but it is thought to be early in the disease process.
Once the phytoplasma is ingested from the plant, it multiplies in the gut of the insect, travels into the hemolymph, then to the salivary glands.
[2] To favor development, the area of infection must have a high population of insect vectors (planthoppers, psyllids, or treehoppers) for continuous, successful transmission.
The concentration of phytoplasmas, at the salivary glands of the insect vector after incubation period, also varies transmission.
They are applied either when the plant is expressing symptoms of TPPD or as a source of protecting known susceptible palm species from ever acquiring the disease.
[2] Future implications that have not been stable in terms of success or effectiveness, but that still hold promise are discovery of resistant strains of palm or control of vector population.
[2] Texas Phoenix palm decline is classified as a systemic disease and it is known to rapidly kill its hosts.
Even more drastic measures have been implemented in Florida, as the entire state is under quarantine for Texas Phoenix palm decline.
Given its native status to Florida, its loss could suffer severe consequences to the local ecosystem if there is no reliable management soon.