Fall is the best time to take samples for nematodes, since populations often peak near harvest, and while crop roots are still viable. These samples can be used to help determine if nematodes caused damage in the current crop and help predict ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture
Pesticides in Agriculture Pesticides are an important tool for farmers to control unwanted insect pests. In recent years many commonly used pesticides have been shown to be dangerous to bees that they come into contact with. Honey bees ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Research
A letter from the Florida Chief of Apiary Inspection, David Westervelt: The Southeastern United States is in a triple threat situation for mosquito proliferation and control. Listed below are conditions making it favorable for the breeding ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
This is a guest post by Lauren Webb, a research assistant in the Dale Lab in the UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Department. Have you ever seen a wasp nearly the length of a large paperclip? Perhaps on the ground or flying around? Maybe ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
At the UF HBREL we love when our science has practical applications for Florida beekeepers. Below is a summary of one such study with African and European honey bee colonies. Hypothesis: The presence of managed European honey bees can ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Farm Management, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Research, WildlifeFlorida Blueberry Industry Blueberry growers in central and south Florida mostly utilize the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). It does not require many chill hours (the necessary number of hours where temperatures fall between 32 and ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research
There are two factors that play an integral role in distinguishing between populations within a species. First, an organism’s geography restricts its ability to disperse. Individuals in adjacent populations migrate between one another at ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Research
Mark August 12th and 13th on your calendar folks. South Florida and Caribbean Bee College is right around the corner! Yes, you read that correctly. The UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab is combining the 4th annual South Florida Bee ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Events, Natural Resources
Varroa destructor Background: Varroa is the most devastating pest of the western honey bee. It is responsible for the death of honey bee colonies world-wide, resulting in millions of dollars of damages. The mites are thought to feed ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
The Melitto Files has hit the web in a whole new way! We are transitioning from a newsletter format to an online blog. This will be the new source of information about the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) and Florida beekeeping. What ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Natural Resources