UF/IFAS GLOBAL BLOGS
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a devastating pest of ash trees. For the first time, it has been found outside of its current regulated area in Nova Scotia, Canada. The continuous spread of emerald ash borer… Read More
We have confirmed a new invasive plant in Okaloosa County. Wavyleaf Basketgrass was first found in Maryland in 1996 and quickly spread into Virginia and Pennsylvania. This invasive is very shade tolerant. It originates from Southern Europe and… Read More
In May of 2018 an egg clutch and nymphs of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, was found in Lake County, Florida. Several weeks later an additional egg clutch with nymphs was found less than 1… Read More
The Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is the one of the most destructive stored grain pests in the world. It has been described as one of the worst invasive species worldwide, and is listed on the USDA-APHIS website as… Read More
By Joshua Kutyna, Indian River Extension Program Assistant for Christine Kelly-Begazo There is an invader amongst us, and it goes by the name of Platydemus manokwari. Better known as the New Guinea flatworm, this alien aggressor is a… Read More
On June 6th, we held an Invasive Species Workshop: Air Potato Challenge and Species Awareness day at the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Panama City. Over 700 air potato leaf beetles were distributed to more than 30 sites in… Read More
A few weeks ago, we wrote about the oriental fruit fly, which has the potential to be a severe pest to fruits and vegetables in Florida. The oriental fruit fly is commonly trapped by DPI and sometimes spurs… Read More
DPI recently identified several weevil samples collected from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hernando counties as Anthonomus testaceosquamosus, the hibiscus bud weevil. This weevil is currently found in Mexico and Texas, and it causes significant damage hibiscus flower buds. Adults lay… Read More
Guest post by Anna Babione In the beginning of the year, Mr. Ahrens introduced the idea of growing our own plants from seed to replace the invasive species on Florida’s beautiful coast. At first, I was not sure… Read More
Feral swine, Sus scrofa, were introduced to the United States by settlers in the 1500s as a food source. They were originally brought for agriculture, but escaped and released pigs have grown into a feral population across the… Read More
