It’s the height of mosquito season, are they getting under your skin? Mosquitoes are some of the most versatile organisms on earth. They can reproduce in virtually any natural or man-made deposit of water, and have been found in mines deep below the surface, in mountain peaks, in highly polluted water bodies, in snow pools, and even in crab holes. They occur throughout the globe and can survive in most of earth’s climates. Although they can be annoying and some are serious health threats, they can play an important role in natural communities, particularly as filter feeders in aquatic communities, and as a food source in both aquatic and terrestrial food chains. Learn more in this 7-page fact sheet by Jorge R. Rey, published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in652
Category: Ecosystems & Species
Terrestrial Slugs of Florida (Mollusca: Stylommatophora: Veronicellidae, Phylomycidae, Agrolimacidae and Limacidae) (EENY494/IN891)
Most slugs are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female sex organs. This makes slugs particularly dangerous as invaders because even a single individual that escapes detection can establish a population in a new environment through self-fertilization. This 11-page fact sheet discusses the slug situation in Florida, including problems with slug identification and taxonomy, as well as the behavior, ecology, and management of slugs. Written by John L. Capinera and Jodi White and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology , June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in891
Giant Whip Scorpion Mastigoproctus giganteus giganteus (Lucas, 1835) (Arachnida: Thelyphonida (=Uropygi): Thelyphonidae) (EENY493/IN890)
To encounter a giant whip scorpion for the first time can be an alarming experience! What seems like a miniature monster from a horror movie is really a fairly benign creature. While called a scorpion, this arachnid has neither the venom-filled stinger found in scorpions nor the venomous bite found in some spiders. This 4-page fact sheet was written by W.H. Kern Jr. and R.E. Mitchell, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in890
Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Organisms (PI85/PI122)
Pesticides are an integral part of agriculture as Florida's climate fosters an environment conducive to major pest outbreaks throughout the entire year. Our environment also is favorable for the development and presence of beneficial organisms that positively affect our agricultural production and enhance our wildlife and plant communities. This revised 7-page guide addresses the effects of various types of pesticides on nontarget organisms, including natural enemies and beneficial organisms, such as honeybees, wildlife, fish, and nontarget plants. Written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi122
Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) (EENY492/IN887)
Most Drosophila flies are associated with rotten or over-ripened fruits and are nuisance pests. However, a few species such as the spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii (Matsumura), can infest un-ripened fruits and are of economic significance. First detected within the continental United States in August 2008, D. suzukii has become a serious threat to fruit crops. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Rajinder S. Mann and Lukasz L. Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in887
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY491/IN886)
Ambrosia beetles are wood-degrading insects that live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. Usually we consider ambrosia beetles beneficial because they accelerate the decay of dead trees, which is important for nutrient cycling in healthy forests. However, the redbay ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont transmit the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). They are considered a “very high risk” invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease and much is still unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. This 7-page fact sheet highlights what we do know about this important new pest. Written by Rajinder Mann, Jiri Hulcr, Jorge Peña, and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886
Saw Palmetto Control: Individual Plant and Broadcast Application (SSAGR341/AG351)
Saw palmetto is a shrubby palm species native to Florida and common throughout the state. Despite its beneficial uses, saw palmetto is a serious weed problem in pastures, forests, and non-cropland areas, and control of this common native plant is often necessary. This 4-page fact sheet provides mechanical and chemical control recommendations. Written by Brandon Fast, Jason Ferrell, and Brent Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag351
Biology and Control of Common Ragweed Along Ditch and Canal Banks (SSAGR346/AG356)
Common ragweed is a successful pioneer species widely distributed throughout the continental United States. In cultivated fields it will compete with crops for light, moisture, nutrients, and space and will result in significant yield losses. Additionally, allergenic airborne pollen from common ragweed is a primary cause of hay fever and thus a public health concern. This 3-page fact sheet describes the life cycle of the plant and provides management recommendations. Written by D.C. Odero, B. Sellers, and J. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag356
Checklist of Birds of the Everglades Agricultural Area (CIR1444/UW179)
This revised 10-page fact sheet features a checklist of bird species that have been found during eight years of surveys in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Most birds can be associated with a specific habitat such as sugarcane, sod, rice or flooded fields and other agricultural and human-inhabited areas. Written by Elise V. Pearlstine and Frank J. Mazzotti, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw179
Predatory Stink Bug, Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY165/IN322)
Sometimes called the giant strong-nosed stink bug, this very large (20 mm) predatory stink bug occurs in several row crops and preys on other insects, especially lepidopterous larvae. The stages in the life cycle are presented here so that they can be identified in the field. This 3-page fact sheet was written by David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in322
Eye Gnats, Grass Flies, Eye Flies, Fruit Flies Liohippelates spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Chloropidae) (EENY485/IN884)
High concentrations of eye gnats are common in areas that have loose sandy soils, especially in the southern United States, and are a great nuisance to humans and animals in rural towns as well as agricultural, recreational, and tourist areas. While they do not bite, they can transmit several diseases to humans and livestock, including human acute conjunctivitis (pink eye). This 6-page fact sheet focuses broadly on two species that are common in the southeastern region of the United States are L. pusio and L. bishoppi (Sabrosky). Written by Erika Machtinger and Phillip E. Kaufman and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in884
Horn Fly Haematobia irritans irritans (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Diptera: Muscidae) (EENY490/IN885)
The horn fly is one of the most economically important pests of cattle worldwide. Just in the United States, hundreds of millions of dollars in losses are attributed to the horn fly annually, while additional millions are spent annually on insecticides to reduce horn fly numbers. Learn more about this pernicious obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite in this 7-page fact sheet, written by Dan Fitzpatrick and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in885
Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection (WEC162/UW192)
Today, more than 50 million Americans put out a billion pounds of bird food each year. Bird feeders can be used to supplement the food provided by native plantings. They also provide a way to observe birds at close range. This 8-page fact sheet suggests useful guidelines for selecting feeders, food, feeder location, cleaning feeders, and managing for cats and squirrels. Written by Emma V. Willcox, Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main, and Maena Voigt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw192
Milkweed Assassin Bug (Suggested Common Name) Zelus longipes Linnaeus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae) (EENY489/IN883)
Commonly called the milkweed assassin bug, because it closely resembles the milkweed bug, it is also known as the longlegged assassin bug and the Zelus assassin bug. Members of the genus Zelus belong to the subfamily Harpactorinae and are diurnal in nature. They are generalist predators feeding on a wide range of soft-bodied prey in garden and fields, such as mosquitoes, flies, earthworms, cucumber beetles, and caterpillars (fall armyworm, rootworm, etc.) Learn more in this 7-page fact sheet written by Megha Kalsi and Dakshina R. Seal, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology Department, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in883
Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY131/IN288)
The granulate ambrosia beetle is a minute ambrosia beetle of Asian origin that was first detected near Charleston, South Carolina. It can become abundant in urban, agricultural, and forested areas and has been reported as a pest of nursery stock and young trees in the Old World tropics and of peach trees in South Carolina. It is a potentially serious pest of ornamentals and fruit trees and is reported to be able to infest most trees and some shrubs (azalea), except for conifers. Learn more in this revised 4-page fact sheet was written by Thomas. H. Atkinson, John L. Foltz, Robert C. Wilkinson, and Russell F. Mizell, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in288
Aquatic Weeds: Crested Floating Heart (Nymphoides cristata) (SSAGR344/AG354)
Crested floating heart is a native of Asia, but was introduced to North America through the aquatic plant nursery trade and marketed as ‘snowflake.’ In the United States, crested floating heart escaped from cultivation and became established in Florida water bodies. Learn how to identify and manage this aquatic weed in this 5-page fact sheet written by Leif N. Willey and Kenneth A. Langeland and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag354
Wright’s Nutrush: An Invader of Seasonal Wetlands in Florida (SSAGR342/AG352)
Wright’s nutrush (Scleria lacustris) is a non-native sedge that has been increasing in Florida wetlands. This 9-page fact sheet describes its distribution, history and impacts, ecological overview, integrated management and identification. Written by Colette C. Jacono and Kenneth A. Langeland, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag352
Biology and Control of Ragweed Parthenium in Non-Cropland (SSAGR343/AG353)
Ragweed parthenium is considered a noxious weed in many parts of the world because of its allelopathic effect on other plants and the health risks it poses to humans. It causes allergic contact dermatitis, rhinitis, and respiratory problems in sensitive humans. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet was written by D.C. Odero, B.A. Sellers, and J.A. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag353
Redheaded Pine Sawfly Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) (EENY488/IN882)
Neodiprion lecontei is an important defoliator of commercially grown pine, as the preferred feeding conditions for sawfly larvae are enhanced in monocultures of shortleaf, loblolly, and slash pine, all of which are commonly cultivated in the southern United States. Learn more with this 5-page fact sheet written by Sara DeBerry and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in882
Control y Biología del Helecho Trepador Japonés (Lygodium japonicum) (FOR282/FR344)
This 7-page Spanish-language fact sheet describes this non-native, invasive vine which is widespread in damp areas in north and West Florida — its biology and control measures. Written by Patrick J. Minogue, Daniela Chevasco, Francisco Escobedo, and Kimberly K. Bohn, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr344