UF/IFAS Pest Alert
Native to the West Indies and Central and South America, cat’s claw vine (Dolichandra unguis–cati) was first introduced to Florida in the 1940’s as a vining, showy ornamental. Thriving in a neotropical climate, it has… Read More
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) is one of the recent additions to the Florida State Noxious Weed List. Belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae, alongside other popular vining and hardy shrub ornamental species, it is… Read More
The neotropical mosquito, Aedes scapularis, has a notable distribution range, spanning from Texas to areas of South America and across much of the Caribbean. The larva of this species was actually first discovered in Monroe County Florida, in the Middle Keys, in 1945. With few detections of this mosquito… Read More
Other common names: Roundleaf Chaste tree, Chasteberry, Monk’s Pepper Florida beach goers, have you strolled alongside coastal dune areas and seen this attractive, vining plant? You may have witnessed the presence of beach vitex (Vitex… Read More
Every year, over 30 million Christmas trees are grown and harvested across 350,000 acres in the U.S. In fact, Americans spent upward of $2.04 billion on Christmas trees in 2016 alone. While purchasing a fresh, live tree this holiday season, make sure to source your Christmas tree from local… Read More
Description and origin Have you come across an ‘earthworm’ with an aggressive, wiggling behavior that left you curious? You may have encountered a jumping worm. Jumping worms are also known by several names, including Alabama… Read More
Did you know that Florida is the winter strawberry capital of the world? It’s true! In fact, Florida ranks second only to California as the nation’s largest producer of strawberries. Nearly 10,500 acres in Florida… Read More
Poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima, are beautiful, potted plants grown in large numbers during the holiday season. They generally begin blooming in late November, continuing to bloom throughout the month of December. The conspicuously colorful parts (known… Read More
The snout scale (Fiorinia proboscidaria) has been reported as a potential new pest for commercial citrus crops in Florida. First detected in Hillsborough County in 2013, it has since been found on residential citrus in… Read More
A new pest, the black bean bug (BBB), Brachyplatys subaeneus (Westwood), has been detected in South Florida following the initial suspicion of a post on iNaturalist, in September 2020, by Adam Pitcher (DPM graduate student)… Read More
