UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department
Since 2014, several Florida blueberry growers reported visible tunneling on the canes of their blueberry bushes. In the summer of 2016, the University of Florida Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory found a flatheaded borer larva feeding on wood… Read More
At the end of 2017, German bee researchers published a journal article detailing work that they had completed which looked at the compound lithium chloride (LiCl) as a new potential option for Varroa control (Ziegelmann et al., 2017)…. Read More
Varroa destructor is the Number One pest of our Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. This pest (commonly called Varroa or Varroa mite) is a parasite that feeds on a bee’s hemolymph, causing honey bee stress and eventually the death of developing… Read More
Consider a microscopic pest that is a master of hiding and waiting, silently but rapidly building in numbers so that by the time you know what you are dealing with, the damage has already been done. This pest… Read More
This summer, keep your bees’ water source from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Requirements for beekeepers requires that managed honey bee colonies have access to a convenient… Read More
Above: The leaf-footed bug uses its unique hind legs as weapons. UF/IFAS photo by Christine Miller. A cat’s claws, a rhino’s horn, a snake’s fangs—many animals use weapons that are part of their body to catch food, defend themselves… Read More
Above: Bigeyed bugs can be found on lawns or garden plants. UF/IFAS photo by Lyle Buss. My, what big eyes you have! As their name says, the bigeyed bugs are characterized by their two prominent eyes. These relatively small… Read More
It is that time of year when it seems that everywhere you look is an insect you have never seen before. To keep you in the know we have pulled together some of the newest Creatures from the… Read More
Above: A nematode seen under a microscope. UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones. A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside of another organism, weakening its host but usually not killing it. This feature distinguishes it from a… Read More
Above: Ladybugs are often associated with biocontrol because they eat aphids. UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones. The term biocontrol is short for biological control. Biological control is a way of controlling pests with their natural enemies. A pest’s natural… Read More
