UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department
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: A regal jumping spider at rest between jumps. UF/IFAS photo by Lyle Buss. Even if you don’t like spiders, you have to admit that jumping spiders are kind of cute (possibly even very cute). Florida is home to… 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
Above: With their unique crest, wheel bugs are hard to miss. UF/IFAS photo by Lyle Buss. Whether you’re a human or an insect, you probably don’t want to mess with the wheel bug. Known for its wheel-shaped crest, this… Read More
Are you seeing fantastic creatures that are the stuff of nightmares (or an entomologists day dreams)? We all have had these moments and can often be surprised by how small some of these so called evil creatures are…. Read More
Above: Diadegma insulare, a kind of parasitoid wasp. UF/IFAS photo by Lyle Buss. Parasitoids are like parasites in that they live on or inside of another organism, called a host. However, unlike parasites, parasitoids ultimately kill their hosts. Parasitoid… Read More
Above: An adult green lacewing. Lacewing larvae, not adults, are used in biocontrol. UF/IFAS entomology and nematology photo. Before a green lacewing gets its large delicate wings, it starts off as a larva. These larvae hatch from eggs… Read More
Above: A green lacewing larva catches a spider mite. UF/IFAS photo by Lyle Buss. A predator is an organism that eats multiple organisms (prey) throughout its lifetime. Predators of pests are often used in biological control. Spiders, lacewing… Read More
Above: Hover flies are useful in biological control because their young (larvae) love to eat aphids, which are a pest. UF/IFAS photo by Paul Choate. Have you ever seen something flying around that had black and yellow stripes… Read More
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Plant-parasitic nematodes can drastically suppress cotton yield, often without noticeable above-ground symptoms. For this reason, nematode management is an important part of a successful operation. Nematicides, pesticides that target nematodes, can be a useful component of a nematode… Read More
