Category: Ecosystems & Species

Multiple-Use Landscapes: Reclaimed Phosphate Mined Lands (SL374/SS575)

Figure 6. Herbaceous wetland restoration project at a phosphate mine in Hardee County.Phosphate mining is a temporary land use. The jobs and economic activity associated with mining depart an area once the resource is exhausted — but the landscape created as a result of mining and reclamation will exist in perpetuity. Communities affected by mining activities need to have reclamation result in lands with high potential to provide sustainable economic opportunities while maintaining ecosystem services and ecological functions. This 8-page fact sheet provides a brief overview of the landscapes being created as a result of phosphate mining and reclamation activities in Florida. Written by M. Wilson and E.A. Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss575

Tobacco Budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (EENY219/IN376)

Figure 1. A closeup of an adult tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius).The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), is a native species and is found throughout the eastern and southwestern United States. It is principally a field crop pest, attacking such crops as alfalfa, clover, cotton, flax, soybean, and tobacco. Larvae bore into buds and blossoms (the basis for the common name of this insect), and sometimes the tender terminal foliar growth, leaf petioles, and stalks. This 6-page fact sheet was written by J. L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in376

Alligatorweed flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Halticinae) (EENY462/IN831)

Figure 2. Adult alligatorweed flea beetle, Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt, on a damaged leaf. Note characteristic feeding scars.Alligatorweed is an aquatic weed native to South America that began threatening Florida’s waterways in the early 1900s. Alligatorweed flea beetles kill the plant by destroying its stored food and interfering with photosynthesis by removing leaf tissue. This insect has been an extremely effective biological control agent in coastal regions of the southeastern United States. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ted D. Center, James P. Cuda, Michael J. Grodowitz, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in831

Casuarina equisetifolia, Australian Pine (FOR298/FR366)

Figure 1. Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetfolia)Australian pine was originally planted in Florida in the late 1800’s as a windbreak and for shade. But soon thereafter it was spreading without help from humans. Today it is considered a category I invasive species in Florida, and the Division of Plant Industry strictly prohibits possessing, transporting, and cultivating this species. For those who find this tree in close proximity to their home, it’s a good idea to replace it since Australian pine is known to have a very low resistance to wind. Australian pine is commonly found growing on coastal shorelines since it thrives in salty, sandy environments. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, and Robert J. Northrop, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr366

Florida Reclaimed Phosphate Mine Soils: Characteristics, Potential Uses, and Management Considerations (SL370/SS571)

Figure 1. Sand tailings disposal site with an overburden "cap," in Hamilton County, Florida. Note the difference in subsoil due to the overburden spoil pile on the left side of the picture.A critical nutrient for plant growth, phosphate helps sustain the world’s growing population. In 2010, seven mines in Florida produced approximately 10% of the world’s phosphate supply and more than 65% of the phosphate for the United States. But each year in Florida thousands of acres disturbed by strip-mining for phosphate rock must be reclaimed for other productive uses. This 11-page fact sheet provides a general characterization of the various soil types resulting from phosphate mine reclamation. Written by M. Wilson and E.A. Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss571

Hippomane mancinella, Manchineel (FOR302/FR370)

Figure 1. All portions of the manchineel tree are poisonous.This poisonous tree is native to southern Florida, the Keys, many of the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Central America. Though it is poisonous to humans and many animals, iguanas are eat the fruit and sometimes live among the tree’s limbs. It’s found along the seacoasts and in brackish swamps where it grows among mangroves. Each leaf has a small gland where the leaf joins the stem. The bark is reddish-to-grayish brown and cracked looking. Flowers inconspicuous, but the spikes or leafless stems that the flowers emerge from are visible. The fruit is bright-green and looks like a small apple. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Michael G. Andreu and Melissa H. Friedman, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr370

Forest Management in the Interface: Reducing Fire Risk (FOR179/FR249)

Figure 3. The best way to minimize risk of fire damage is to reduce fuels around the structure. Wildfire is one of the most serious and publicized challenges facing interface forest management. Wildfires can change forest vegetation, affect human health, and cause millions of dollars’ worth of damage to homes, businesses, timber, and tourism. This 5-page fact sheet outlines tips for the firewise community development, design of structures, landscaping and fuel reduction. Written by Bruce Hull, Sarah F. Ashton, Rien M. Visser, and Martha C. Monroe, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr249

Effects of Climate Change on the Eutrophication of Lakes and Estuaries (SGEF189/SG127)

Figure 1. A bloom of blue-green algae on the water surface in the St. Lucie Estuary, Fla.Recent research suggests that climate change will reinforce the negative consequences of man-made eutrophication and make it more difficult to improve water quality in lakes and estuaries.This 3-page fact sheet was written by Karl Havens, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg127

Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind (FOR71/FR076)

Figure 1. With careful management and preparation, fire can be a positive force in maintaining Florida's native forests.Fire is a powerful part of Florida’s landscape. It can maintain healthy natural ecosystems (Figure 1), but can also turn a home to ashes. Florida’s frequent lightning strikes and human carelessness guarantee that wildfire will continue to be a factor in both rural and suburban areas. Some homeowners may wonder if they are in danger of wildfire. Find out if you are at risk, and follow these guidelines to reduce the threat of wildfire. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Martha Monroe, Alan Long, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr076

Florida Bears and Beekeeping (ENY105/AA133)

Figure 2. Bear damage to frameThe Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is a minor predator of beehives in Florida with the potential to cause major destruction. Large-scale urban and agricultural development inexorably reduces prime bear habitat each year. This habitat also contains excellent bee forage, and so bears and bees will sometimes come in contact, thus resulting in bear predation. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Malcolm T. Sanford and James D. Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa133

Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Land Ecosystems (SL373/SS574)

Figure 1. Simplified carbon cycle diagram. While CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and incorporated into plant tissue via photosynthesis, it can also be re-emitted back to the atmosphere as plant (autotrophic) and soil microbial respiration (heterotrophic). The balance between carbon inputs and outputs determines the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil.Native and improved pastures play an important role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Because of the relatively high sequestration rates and extensive area, grazing land represents an important component of terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) offset and is a significant sink for long-term carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. This 4-page fact sheet contains information for stakeholders, students, scientists, and environmental agencies interested in enhancing ecosystems services provided by grazing lands. Written by Maria Silveira, Ed Hanlon, Mariana Azenha, and Hiran M. da Silva, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss574

Black-tailed Mosquito Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) (EENY536/IN950)

Figure 1. Adult female Culiseta melanura.The black-tailed mosquito is unusual because it overwinters as larvae while most mosquito species overwinter as either adults or eggs. Culiseta melanura is important because of its role in the transmission cycle of eastern equine encephalitis virus and potentially West Nile virus: because adult female Culiseta melanura primarily take their blood meals from birds, they are responsible for transmitting eastern equine encephalitis virus between birds. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Eva Buckner, Angelique Showman, and C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in950

Florida Scorpionfly, Panorpa floridana Byers (Insecta: Mecoptera: Panorpidae) (EENY538/IN949)

Figure 1. Dorsal view of the holotype of the Florida scorpionfly, Panorpa floridana Byers, from Alachua County, Florida.Have you seen this insect? No living individuals of Panorpa floridana ever have been observed. Knowledge of this species of scorpionfly is limited to five specimens from Alachua and Clay counties in northern peninsular Florida, the last one collected in 1982. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Louis A. Somma and James C. Dunford, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in949

Spring Viremia of Carp (VM142/VM106)

Figure 1. Koi infected with SVCv. Note hemorrhages on body wall.Spring viremia of carp is a viral disease that can cause significant mortality in several carp species including the common carp. It was reported in koi and feral carp in the United States for the first time in 2002. Diagnosis in farm raised fish in the U.S. may result in quarantine of the infected fish and depopulation. This 5-page fact sheet is intended to inform veterinarians, biologists, culturists, and hobbyists about Spring viremia of carp. Written by Barbara D. Petty, Ruth Francis-Floyd, and Roy P.E. Yanong, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm106

Cactus Moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (EENY056/IN213)

Figure 2. Larva of cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg).Since its arrival in the Florida Keys in 1989, this invasive species has become a serious threat to the diversity and abundance of Opuntia cactus in North America. The spread of this moth raises concerns about harm to rare opuntioid species (prickly pear and related cacti), the endangerment of wild opuntioids in the southwestern United States and Mexico and the consequent effects on entire desert ecosystems and economic hardship for communities in Mexico that cultivate and sell Opuntia. This 5-page fact sheet was written by D. H. Habeck, F. D. Bennett, and Christine Miller, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in213

An Asian Ground Beetle, Mochtherus tetraspilotus (MacLeay) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lebiini) (EENY533/IN951)

Figure 1. Mochtherus tetraspilotus (MacLeay) adult on sweet gum stump.Mochtherus tetraspilotus (MacLeay) was first detected in southern Florida in 1992. Since then specimens have been collected in Gainesville and at Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County. Adult members of this group of Carabidae are known to be predators. The impact of this species on our native species remains to be determined, as does the source of introduction. Its rapid spread in Florida suggests that it may soon be found throughout the Gulf States. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Paul M. Choate, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in951

Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Saturniinae) (EENY531/IN945)

Figure 1. Adult male polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer dorsal view).The polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer), is one of our largest and most beautiful silk moths. It is named after Polyphemus, the giant cyclops from Greek mythology who had a single large, round eye in the middle of his forehead. The name is because of the large eyespots in the middle of the moth’s hind wings. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Donald W. Hall, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in945

Common Monogenean Parasites of Fishes (FA28/FA033)

Figure 3. A gyrodactylid from the skin of a goldfish Carassius auratus. The arrows point to the anchors of embryos. Note the lack of eyespots (left, 100x magnification; right, 40x magnification).Monogeneans are a class of parasitic flatworms that are commonly found on fishes and lower aquatic invertebrates. Most monogeneans are browsers that move about freely on the fish’s body surface feeding on mucus and epithelial cells of the skin and gills; however, a few adult monogeneans will remain permanently attached to a single site on the host. Some monogenean species invade the rectal cavity, ureter, body cavity, and even the blood vascular system. Between 4,000 and 5,000 species of monogeneans have been described. They are found on fishes in fresh and salt water and in a wide range of water temperatures. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Peggy Reed, Ruth Francis-Floyd, and RuthEllen Klinger, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa033

Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida: families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) (EENY530/IN944)

Figure 3. Generalized life cycle of entomopathogenic nematodes.Entomopathogenic nematodes are soft bodied, non-segmented roundworms that are obligate or sometimes facultative parasites of insects. They occur naturally in soil environments and locate their host in response to carbon dioxide, vibration, and other chemical cues. They fit nicely into integrated pest management programs because they are nontoxic to humans, specific to their target pests, and can be applied with standard pesticide equipment. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Nastaran Tofangsazie, Steven P. Arthurs, and Robin M. Giblin-Davis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in944

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle Chrysomela scripta Fabricius (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomela) (EENY519/IN936)

Figure 10. Life cycle of the cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta Fabricius.The cottonwood leaf beetle is one of the most economically-important pests of managed cottonwood, aspen, and some poplar and willow species. Often it is a severe pest of urban ornamental trees. This leaf feeder has several generations each year, may cause extensive leaf loss, and can consequently reduce stem volume up to 70%. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in936