Recently in Miami-Dade County, several samples were diagnosed positive for a new disease called lethal viral necrosis (associated with sugarcane mosaic virus, SCMV) on Saint Augustinegrass, cultivar ‘Floratam’. The following are the most frequent questions that the… Read More
Lately have you been noticing something strange in your coconut palms, gumbo-limbo and other plants? It could be related to the reappearance of the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) (RSW). If you remember correctly, it was first reported… Read More
Are you noticing that the big and tall Washingtonia palm (Washingtonia robusta) are dying in the landscape? Lately, I am seeing a lot of damage in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The cause of the problem is a disease… Read More
What do the following names have in common: Anthonomus testaceosquamosus, the hibiscus bud weevil; Fiorinia phantasma, the Phantasma Scale; Aceria litchii, the lychee erinose mite? All these pests were introduce or reintroduce to Florida during 2018 and were… Read More
On June 1st of 2018, a single male of the Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF), Bactrocera dorsalis , was captured in south Miami-Dade County. Two additional males were captured in nearby detection traps on June 3rd. There is an eradication program… Read More
I’ve practiced horticulture for 25 years, worked with tropical fruit for 20 of those years, and just recently I celebrated five years as a commercial tropical fruit extension agent for UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County. It stands to reason… Read More
Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) is caused by the Rose Rosette Virus (RRV) and spread by eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes fructiphilus), Wild and ornamental rose species and cultivars are susceptible to this disease. And it has been spreading through much… Read More
At the end of 2017, the Plant Diagnostic Clinic at UF/TREC discovered that some turfgrass samples from Miami-Dade and Monroe County tested positive for Sugarcane Mosaic Virus. Early symptoms include a mosaic pattern on the leaf that becomes necrotic… Read More
I received many questions from ornamental growers about what ornamental plant diseases may affect their nurseries? especially in south Florida. Miami-Dade County is a ground zero for invasive pests and the quality standards for ornamental is very high… Read More
A new whitefly was identified from a heavily infested Ixora hedge a in residential area of St. Petersburg, FL. The scientific name is: Asiothrixus antidesmae (previously Aleurothrixus antidesmae). Is an Asian species known in the New World only from… Read More
