Although it is admired for its beauty, the eastern black swallowtail is one of the very few butterflies that may occasionally be considered a pest. Learn more in this 8-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in906
Category: Ecosystems & Species
Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) (EENY506/IN908)
This common, medium-sized butterfly of wooded areas and suburbs resembles a dead leaf when its wings are folded. Learn more in this 6-page fact sheet written by Donald Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in908
Emerald Ash Borer: A Potential Future Threat to Ash Trees in Florida (FOR284/FR346)
Do not move firewood into or around the state! This invasive exotic beetle kills ash trees and is likely to reach Florida in the years to come — or faster if it gets transported by humans. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Don Spence and Jason Smith, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr346
The American Alligator: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration (WEC313/UW358)
Scientists working on Everglades restoration cannot monitor everything in the ecosystem to determine the effectiveness of their efforts, so they use “ecological indicators” such as the American alligator. Learn how this works in this 3-page fact sheet written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Laura A. Brandt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw358
Leafminer Parasitoid Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (EENY501/IN902)
Leafminers are usually the larvae of insects that feed or mine inside plant leaves, and Opius dissitus is a wasp endoparasite that keeps the population of Liriomyza leafminers in check. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Jian Li, Dakshina Seal, and Gary Leibee, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in902
Giant African Land Snail in Florida (ENY512/IN904)
They’re back! In 1966, a child smuggled three giant African land snails into south Florida which were released in their garden. Seven years later, more than 18,000 snails had been found and it took 10 years and $1 million to eliminate them. Florida is once again faced with an invasion by this snail. It feeds on hundreds of different plants and can transmit meningitis and other diseases to humans. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in904
Forest Herbicide Characteristics (FOR283/FR345)
The effectiveness and safe use of herbicides registered for forest vegetation management in Florida requires developing site-specific herbicide prescriptions made with careful consideration of site factors and knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of herbicides and their effects on biological systems. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Anna Osiecka and Patrick J. Minogue, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr345
Constructing Weighted Trailing Hoses for Submersed Aquatic Herbicide Applications (SSAGR352/AG360)
Why treat the upper half of the water column when the weeds are only present in the lower half? This 4-page fact sheet describes the benefits of using the “bottom acre-foot method” of applying herbicides with weighted trailing hoses and details the construction of the weighted trailing hose system used by the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Written by William T. Haller, Lyn A. Gettys, and Margaret S. Glenn, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag360
Dark Rover Ant: Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr (EENY498/IN899)
The dark rover ant is a tiny ant, native to Argentina and Paraguay, that was introduced relatively recently to the United States. It is established in the Gulf states and in some urban areas of Arizona and Nevada. It is a nuisance species because it invades and establishes nests in structures. This 6-page fact sheet was written by David Tamayo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in899
Grasshopper Nematode: Mermis nigrescens Dujardin, 1842 (EENY500/IN900)
These large nematodes can sometimes seen leaving grasshoppers, especially those that have been injured. On rainy mornings in spring or summer they can be found depositing their eggs on leaves for grasshoppers to eat. Because they are so large (up to 160 mm or about 6 inches in length), they attract attention. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in900
Farmer Perceptions of Wildlife Damage to Row Crops in North Florida (WEC311/UW356)
How can we determine the just how much of an impact wildlife damage has on growers? This 4-page fact sheet presents the results of a survey of a sample of growers across the state. Written by Holly K. Ober, Gerald R. Edmondson, William M. Giuliano, David L. Wright, John Atkins, Andy Andreasen, Shep Eubanks, Libbie Johnson, Charles Brasher, and Greg Hicks, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw356
Management of Pine Forests for Selected Wildlife in Florida (CIR706/UW098)
As the total number of forested acres in Florida goes down, it becomes more important that land being managed for timber production also be able to sustain healthy wildlife populations. This 9-page fact sheet shows how timber and wildlife management can be successfully combined. Written by Wayne R. Marion, George W. Tanner, Holly K. Ober, and Matthew Werner, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw098
Sweat Bees, Halictid Bees, Halictidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Halictidae) (EENY499/IN897)
Sweat bees are very important pollinators for many wildflowers and crops, including stone fruits, pomme fruits, alfalfa and sunflower. Sweat bee populations can be encouraged with wildflower plantings and by providing nesting areas. Halictids typically nest in bare soil located in a sunny location. Minimum tillage and insecticide use will help to increase populations of Halictidae and other soil nesting bees. Learn more about this diverse family of bees in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Katie Buckley, Catherine Zettel Nalen, and Jamie Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in897
Red-tailed Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (Fallén) (Insecta: Diptera: Sarcophagidae) (EENY495/IN896)
Another insect important to forensic investigations, red-tailed flesh fly larvae invade carcasses that are in the early to advanced stages of decomposition, often arriving as early as blow flies. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Angelique Showman and C. Roxanne Connelly and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in896
Miami-Dade County’s Urban Forests and Their Ecosystem Services (FOR285/FR347)
The urban forest in Miami-Dade County reduces air pollution, controls stormwater, reduces crime, increases real estate values, and improves livability. This 14-page fact sheet can be used by urban foresters, residents, and planners to better understand and maximize the benefits of this important natural resource. Written by Francisco Escobedo, Joy Klein, Micah Pace, Henry Mayer, and Sebastian Varela, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Eric Zamora)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr347
Establishing and Maintaining Wildlife Food Sources (SSFOR12/FR062)
Provide abundant and varied food sources for wildlife on your forested land, with this 5-page fact sheet written by Chris Demers, Alan Long, Chris Latt, and Emma Willcox, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr062
Rosemary Grasshopper Schistocerca ceratiola Hubell and Walker (EENY496/IN894)
The rosemary grasshopper occurs only in Florida. It is poorly known and rarely seen except by those specifically seeking it out. This 4-page fact sheet an illustrated summary of its appearance and ecology, written by John L. Capinera and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in894
Buyers’ Guide to Pet Reptiles (WEC312/UW357)
When choosing a pet reptile, there are some important questions you should consider.This 3-page fact sheet will provide you with some basic information about reptiles and their care, in order to help you choose an appropriate reptile pet that will suit your lifestyle. Written by Steve A. Johnson, Monica E. McGarrity, and Dustin Smith , and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw357
Applesnails of Florida Pomacea spp. (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) (EENY323/IN598)
Applesnails are larger than most freshwater snails and can be separated from other freshwater species by their oval shell that has the umbilicus of the shell perforated or broadly open. There are four species in Florida, one of which is native and considered beneficial. Both the island and channeled applesnails are potential threats to Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Thomas R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in598
A Native Growing Season Forage for Wildlife: Teaweed, Sida acuta Burm. f. (FOR114/FR168)
What is teaweed and why would anyone want to learn more about this plant? Teaweed has been a problem plant in agriculture, but it has many good qualities as a wildlife food source. Anyone interested in growing plants that benefit native wildlife, especially white-tailed deer, turkeys and quail, can improve wildlife habitat by managing native plants. Sida acuta was identified as a native plant that provides food and/or cover to several species of wildlife. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Rick Williams and Tim Baxley, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011. (Photo by Dinesh Valke
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr168