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Category: Forests

Recognizing Florida’s Venomous Snakes

by
October 19, 2015

Florida provides many opportunities to enjoy nature. Those who like hiking, camping or swimming may have been acquainted with the many species of snakes native to the state—46 to be exact. While this number may scare some people, only six ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Forests, SFYL Hot Topic, Wildlife
Tags: Copperhead, Coral Snake, Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Environment, Environment Hot Topic, Florida's Snakes, Florida's Venomous Snakes, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Snakes, Timber Rattlesnake, Venomous Snakes, Wildlife

Fall Allergies

by
September 21, 2015

Allergies are often associated with the spring, but they are just as prevalent in the fall. In fact, during this season, plants, molds and dust mites produce allergens known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Forests, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, Work & Life
Tags: Cedar Elm, Environment, Environment Hot Topic, Fall Allergies, Hay Fever, Health, Molds, Pollen, Pollen Allergies, Ragweed, Seasonal Allergies, Tree Allergies
Figure 1. Pillbug, Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille), rolled into a ball.

Pillbug, Roly-Poly, Woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille) (Malacostraca: Isopoda: Armadillidiidae)

by Diana Hagan (she/her)
September 11, 2015

The roly poly is an isopod, a type of non-insect arthropod also known as a terrestrial crustacean. It is called a roly-poly because it rolls into ball when disturbed. This defensive behavior also makes it look like a pill, which is why it is ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
Tags: #ufbugs, Crustacea, Entomology And Nematology Department, Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, Julie A. Franklin, Morgan A. Byron, Soil Arthropods
Figure 1. Dorsal view of an adult black turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier). Its large size, trapezoidal pronotum, and rounded declivity distinguish it from all other bark beetles infesting pines in the southern United States. Credit: Adam Black and Jiri Hulcr, University of Florida

Black Turpentine Beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

by Diana Hagan (she/her)
July 31, 2015

Black turpentine beetles bore into the inner bark of stressed or injured pines, where they breed and feed on phloem tissue. Adults are strongly attracted to volatile pine odors and readily breed in fresh stumps. In typical forests, infestations ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Tags: Albert E. Mayfield, Bark Beetles, Curculionidae, Entomology And Nematology Department, Featured Creatures Collection, Jiri Hulcr, John L. Foltz
Figure 1. Adult female Xyleborus affinis. Credit: Jiri Hulcr, UF/IFAS

An ambrosia beetle Xyleborus affinis Eichhoff, 1868 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

by Diana Hagan (she/her)
July 31, 2015

Xyleborus affinis is one of the most widespread and common ambrosia beetles in the world. It is also very common in Florida. Like other ambrosia beetles, it bores tunnels into the xylem of weakened, cut or injured trees and farms gardens of ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Tags: Ambrosia Beetles, Andrea Lucky, Curculionidae, Entomology And Nematology Department, Featured Creatures Collection, Jiri Hulcr, Lanette Sobel
Figure 3. Eriotremex formosanus (Matsumura). A- antenna. B- metatibial spur. Abdomen (C) and mesonotum (D) with long golden setae (hair-like projections). Credit: You Li, University of Florida

Asian Horntail Eriotremex formosanus (Matsumura) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Siricidae: Tremicinae)

by Diana Hagan (she/her)
July 31, 2015

Since it was introduced to North America, the Asian woodwasp has become the most common wood wasp in Florida. It is not considered an economically important pest because it only attacks dying or dead trees, but the species may someday prove ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Entomology And Nematology Department, Featured Creatures Collection, Jiri Hulcr, You Li

Why is this tree leaking?

by Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman
June 12, 2015

If you see sap coming out of a tree it could be caused by many different things. Damage to a tree trunk or limb can cause sap to leak out. This is natural wound protection for the tree. The sap comes out and covers up a wound to prevent plant ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: BugWeek, Entomology, FAQ, Insects, Trees

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