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
Category: Environment
The Potential for Plants to Remove Phosphorus from the Spodic Horizon (SL359/SS560)
Under what conditions can plants be used to remove phosphorus from common Florida soils? This 5-page fact sheet shows how calculations for the phosphorus saturation ratio and soil phosphorus storage capacity at various soil depths can be used to determine whether to use phytoremediation as a strategy to remove phosphorus from the soil. Written by D. Chakraborty, V.D. Nair, W.G. Harris, and R.D. Rhue, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss560
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
The Long-term Contribution of Phosphorus from Agricultural Lands to Lake Okeechobee (SL357/SS558)
This 7-page fact sheet uses a new procedure to evaluate the soil from active and abandoned dairies in the Lake Okeechobee watershed to determine their potential to negatively impact water quality through phosphorus release. Written by V.D. Nair, M. Chrysostome, and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss558
Landscape Diversity: Multiple-Use Landscapes for Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Areas (SL229/SS449)
With planning, communities can use reclaimed phosphatic clay areas for agriculture and at the same time restore lost wetlands, improve water quality and water use efficiency, and retain areas valuable to wildlife. This 5-page concept paper was written by E.A. Hanlon, M. Wilson, C. Beavers, and J. Cates, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss449
Phosphorus Sources and Risk Potential: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers (SL358/SS559)
One of the factors that determines whether a source of phosphorus will have a negative impact on water quality is solubility. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the significantly different solubility of commonly found phosphorus sources in Florida. Written by V.D. Nair and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Milt Putnam)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss559
Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Potato Production in Florida (HS941/HS187)
The recent emphasis on the development of vegetable production best management practices has prompted a re-examination of fertilization practices in Florida potato production in the St. Johns River watershed. The numbers provided in this 5-page fact sheet serve as a starting point for discussion about the value of using controlled-release fertilizers, which can be a win-win-win opportunity for producers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies by helping all meet their production, business, and environmental goals. Written by Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, Yuncong Li, Chad M. Hutchinson, Mark Warren, and Steven Lands, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs187
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Viruses (SL351/SS553)
Keeping disease-causing microorganisms out of groundwater used for drinking water supplies is important to protect human health. This 7-page fact sheet characterizes the behavior of viruses in septic systems and the soil drain field and summarizes what we know about the extent and character of groundwater contamination with viruses emanating from septic systems. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss553
Reclaimed Water Use for Edible Crop Production in Florida (SL360/SS561)
Irrigating edible crops with reclaimed water is a promising, cost-effective solution to Florida's overuse of freshwater resources. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Jamie Lewis and Alan L. Wright and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss561
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
Rainfast Time for Postemergence Herbicides Commonly Used in the Everglades Agricultural Area: Quick Reference Sheet (SSAGR351/AG359)
If rainfall occurs soon after herbicide application, it can affect the effectiveness of postemergence herbicides. And they each differ in their time requirements for rain-free periods following application. This 2-page fact sheet shows rainfast time for postemergence herbicides commonly used in the Everglades Agricultural Area for sugarcane and vegetable production. Written by D.C. Odero and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011. (Photo by Eric Zamora UF/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag359
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
Accounting for the Nutrients in Reclaimed Water for Landscape Irrigation (AE479)
This 8-page fact sheet presents basic information for those using reclaimed water to irrigate lawns and landscapes. The information can serve as a guide to determine whether there is an opportunity to replace some of the fertilizer that might otherwise be applied and to offer guidance on avoiding runoff and leaching of excess nutrients. Written by Christopher J. Martinez, Mark W. Clark, Gurpal S. Toor, George J. Hochmuth, and Lawrence R. Parsons, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Marisol Amador)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae479
Rainfastness of Pesticides (PI238)
Generally, it is best to avoid pesticide application when rainfall is likely; however, weather can be unpredictable, so it is best to choose a product with good rainfast characteristics. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by Bonnie Wells and F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi238
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