Lethal Bronzing in Galveston: Facts and Misinformation Explained

 Lethal Bronzing is a destructive bacteria-like disease caused by a wall-less phytoplasma carried in the gut of a tiny flying insect called Haplaxius crudus (the palm leafhopper).
When an infected insect feeds on a palm, it injects this pathogen into the tree’s vascular system. Once inside, the organism multiplies quickly—clogging the palm’s nutrient and water pathways. The palm literally begins to strangle from within, causing the fronds to fade into a distinctive copper-bronze color—the trademark symptom that prompted us to give the disease its name of Lethal Bronzing.

Because these insects fly long distances, treating only your own yard won’t stop new infections. Standard sprays can’t reach the upper canopy where they feed and spread the disease. That’s why systemic trunk injections and regular professional monitoring are essential for lasting protection.

 Lethal Bronzing is spread only by a tiny flying insect called the palm leafhopper (Haplaxius crudus).
If the insect is carrying the disease and feeds on a palm, it can transmit the infection into the tree’s vascular system.

Lethal Bronzing is not spread by pruning tools, chainsaws, or landscape equipment.
The disease requires the insect vector to move from palm to palm, which is why professional insect control and monitoring are so important.

The palm leafhopper (Haplaxius crudus) has a life cycle of roughly three months.
This timing is critical, because treatments are designed to interrupt that cycle before new generations can spread Lethal Bronzing.

Because the insect renews itself every few months, annual treatments are not sufficient.
To reduce infection risk, treatments must follow a consistent, ongoing schedule that matches the insect’s life cycle.

 Yes. All palms in areas where Lethal Bronzing is present are susceptible.
Some palm species are more commonly infected than others, but no palm should be considered immune.

If a palm is exposed to infected leafhopper insects, any species can become infected. This is why prevention and early protection are critical—waiting until symptoms appear is often too late.

 No. There is no evidence that Lethal Bronzing is spread by pruning, digging, or landscaping tools.
The disease is transmitted only by the palm leafhopper insect (Haplaxius crudus), not through mechanical contact.

While tool sanitation is always a good practice for general plant health, it is not a factor in the spread of Lethal Bronzing..

 In most cases, no — spraying or drenching is not recommended.
Systemic insecticides work best and fastest when injected directly into the palm, where they can move efficiently through the internal vascular system.

Sprays and soil drenches are a broad-spectrum “kill-everything” approach. Residual insecticides can build up in the soil, harm beneficial insects, and — even more concerning — run off into storm drains, canals, and waterways.
The systemic insecticide imidacloprid is known to be harmful to fish, crabs, and other aquatic life, which is why its use near waterways is restricted in many states, including Texas.

There are also effectiveness issues:

• Soil drenches can take months to move from roots into the trunk and canopy.
   
• Palm leaflets have a hard, waxy outer surface, so sprays do not absorb well.
   
• Foliar applications may only last a week or two before becoming ineffective.
   

Because of environmental risks and legal restrictions, improper application can carry serious penalties, including fines, civil liability, and even up to one year in jail in some states.

For these reasons, targeted trunk injections performed by licensed professionals are the safest, most effective, and most responsible way to protect palms.

 No. There is no product currently recommended that can be applied once per year to protect palms from Lethal Bronzing.
The disease-spreading insects remain active year-round, and palms do not retain systemic treatments long enough for annual applications to be effective.

To reduce risk, treatments must be applied on a regular, ongoing schedule that matches the insect life cycle and the palm’s vascular biology.

 There is currently no guaranteed way to prevent Lethal Bronzing, but research from leading universities and Departments of Agriculture shows that the risk can be significantly reduced.

The recommended course of action is a combined, ongoing treatment program, which includes:

• Oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injections every 3 months to suppress the bacteria-like organism inside the palm
   
• Systemic insecticide (Imidacloprid) injections on a rotating schedule to reduce the insects that spread the disease
   

When these treatments are paired with proper nutrition and professional monitoring, they help slow disease spread, reduce infection pressure, and protect surrounding palms.

These treatments do not cure infected palms, but they are currently the most effective science-based strategy available for managing Lethal Bronzing in affected areas.

 Treatments should be continued as long as your property is located in a known Lethal Bronzing–infected area.
Because the insect vectors remain present year-round and can fly in from surrounding neighborhoods, stopping treatments too soon can leave palms vulnerable to infection.

Ongoing protection is the best way to reduce risk, suppress disease pressure, and maintain healthy palms over time.

 No. There is currently no cure for Lethal Bronzing.
Once a palm becomes infected, the disease cannot be eliminated from the tree.

This is why early detection, ongoing preventative treatments, and insect control are so important in areas where Lethal Bronzing is present.

 Yes. A new palm can be planted in the same location.
Lethal Bronzing is not a soil-borne disease, so it does not remain in the soil or transfer to newly planted palms.

Because the disease is spread by flying insects—not soil—proper palm selection and preventative care are key moving forward.

 Yes. Strict state laws regulate who may apply these treatments.
In Texas and many other states, anyone treating palm trees with insecticides or injectable products must be a licensed and certified applicator and properly registered with the state.

In Texas, applying these treatments to someone else’s palms without a license is illegal and can result in serious penalties, including fines, civil liability, and even up to one year in jail.

This is why it’s critical to work with properly licensed professionals who understand both the science and the legal requirements involved in palm treatments.