Sunblotch disease resurfaces, threatening South Florida avocado trees and backyard growers

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 s