UF/IFAS Pest Alert
Samples of a hard scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) were collected by FDACS-DPI in November 2017 and in January 2018. All samples were confirmed as Chrysomphalus bifasciculatus, the false Florida red scale. This scale is widespread in the western and southeastern… Read More
Have you noticed tiny holes in your plastic fuel containers? You may not consider this damage could be due to an insect, but the residents of Florida’s panhandle have to contend with the ethanol-loving camphor shot borer, Cnestus… Read More
Another hot Florida summer has arrived, and with the heat comes peak pest season. During our regular scouting and gardening here in the Biosecurity and Extension Lab, we have noticed an increase in whitefly populations. These are highly… 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
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
Phantasma scale (Fiorinia phantasma) is a pest of several ornamental plant species, especially those in the family Arecaceae (palms). In March 2018, an infestation of phantasma scale was discovered on 27 roadside palm trees in Miami-Dade county. It is… Read More
The Biosecurity Research and Extension Lab will be at Bok Tower Gardens on February 22nd for a Florida First Detector training workshop. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about invasive species and how to… Read More
The Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens), or ‘Mexfly,’ is a serious pest of fruit crops in Mexico. They are especially damaging to citrus, mango, and peaches. They also have a strong affinity for grapefruit. Mexflies are potentially devastating… Read More
The South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, is a pest of over 110 host plants, including several crops grown in Florida, such as citrus, strawberries, and peaches. A. fraterculus actually a complex of several species that have yet to be… Read More
The oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is a highly destructive pest of fruit crops. It has a wide host range including nearly 500 fruits and vegetables, but is most commonly found attacking avocado, mango and papaya. Females live 1-3… Read More
