Category: Invasive Species

Close-up portrait of a person seated at a desk in an office setting, wearing an orange collared shirt and facing the camera. A shelf with office supplies and a patterned cup is visible in the background, along with a light-colored cinder block wall.

IRREC Faculty Member Secures USDA Farm Bill Grant to Launch International Biological Control Program Targeting Cotton Jassid

by Joe McQueen
June 12, 2026

Nicole Quinn, assistant professor of entomology and nematology and expert in biological control at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC), was awarded a farm bill grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ... READ MORE

Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Biological Control, Insects, Invasive Species, Pests

Florida Land Steward Update, June 12, 2026

by Chris Demers
June 12, 2026

REPORT YOUR WILD TURKEY SIGHTINGS THIS SUMMER! Participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Wild Turkey Summer Brood Survey and report your wild turkey sightings from June 1 – August 31. These observations ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm, Wild Turkey, Wildlife
This image, featuring the heads of individuals from the soldier caste, is meant to highlight the similarities of appearance across both parental species, the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi), and hybrids. Visual identification of hybrid termites can only be done under magnification by experts that are familiar with identification characteristics. Submitting a sample to the UF/IFAS Termite ID Service (TermiteIDServices@ifas.ufl.edu) remains the best option to confirm any suspected samples. Credit: Thomas Chouvenc

Here’s what homeowners need to know about hybrid termites in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
June 8, 2026

Alarming reports of hybrid “super” termites have fueled misinformation, while flooding news outlets across the United States for months. University of Florida scientists are stepping in to help property owners separate fact from fiction. In ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termite, Ask IFAS, Coptotermes Formosanus, Coptotermes Gestroi, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Faith Oi, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Hybrid Termites, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Johnalyn Gordon, Nan-yao Su, News, Termite Damage, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

Florida Land Steward Update, June 5, 2026

by Chris Demers
June 5, 2026

2026 USDA FOREST SERVICE LONGLEAF CONE REPORT RELEASED The latest USDA Forest Service Longleaf Pine Cone Report shows a promising outlook for 2026. Based on green cone counts this spring, the predicted regional longleaf cone crop for this ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Florida Wildlife Corridor, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm
Caimán de anteojos (Caiman crocodilus) de cuerpo alargado y escamoso, posado sobre un tronco de madera en un entorno natural, con la cola extendida hacia atrás y la cabeza en reposo mirando hacia la izquierda.

El caimán de anteojos invasor en Florida plantea riesgos potenciales para la restauración de los Everglades

by Luz Bahder
June 4, 2026

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados Investigadores de UF recopilaron de manera exhaustiva la información existente sobre el ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: áreas Protegidas, Babilla, Caiman, Caiman Crocodilus, Caiman De Anteojos, Centro De Investigacion Y Educacion De UF/IFAS En Fort Lauderdale, CERP, Ecosistema, Español, Especie Invasora, Estudios Genéticos, Everglades, Frontiers Journal Of Amphibian And Reptile Science, Guajipal, Herramientas De ADN Ambiental, Humedales, Impactos Sobre La Fauna Nativa, IveGot1, IVEGOT1 Mobile App, Manejo De Vida Silvestre, Marismas, Mascotas Exóticas, Monitoreo, Patrones De Movimiento, Plan Integral De Restauracion De Los Everglades, Protección Contra Inundaciones, Reportes Del Publico, Restauración De Los Everglades, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Spanish, The Croc Docs, UF Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, University Of Florida, Vida Silvestre
A spectacled caiman juvenile. UF/IFAS Photo by Jemeema Carrigan

Invasive caiman may pose new challenges for Everglades restoration

by Lourdes Mederos
June 4, 2026

UF researchers pieced together the first comprehensive review of the spectacled caiman, a small invasive crocodile-like reptile. Introduced into South Florida more than 45 years ago, researchers have suspected caimans compete ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Colombia, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Crocodilians, EDDMaps, Environmental DNA Tools, Español, Exotic Pet Trade, Guayana, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, Native Wildlife, News, Research, South Florida, Spectacled Caiman, The Croc Docs, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wetland

Managing Unwanted Plants; CEU Class, Chipley 6/11/26

by Mark Mauldin
June 3, 2026

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, UF/IFAS Extension Washington County will host Managing Unwanted Plants in Rights of Way and Aquatic Sites. The class has been approved for a total of 4 FL Pesticide Applicator CEUs. The CEUs may be used for license ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aquatic, Aquatic Training, Aquatic Weeds, CEU, Herbicide, Panhandle Agriculture, Pest Management, Pesticide Training, Right-of-Way, SV Ag Update
Lake County MGVs

FIELD TRIP: Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, FL

by Maria Quirico
May 31, 2026

Fourteen Master Gardener Volunteers (and family) toured Nehrling Gardens in May 2026. Theresa Schretzmann-Myers (Board of Directors Vice President) was our excellent tour guide. Ms. Theresa fed us history, facts, stories, and anecdotes in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attract Wildlife, Botanical Garden, Conservation, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Plants, Sustainability

Florida Land Steward Update, May 29, 2026

by Chris Demers
May 29, 2026

THE RAIN RETURNS! SO DID HURRICANE SEASON. TIME TO PREPARE. A big shoutout to the return of rain! Also great to see some of the burn bans finally lifting. Keep it coming. Maybe we can get some of that much needed growing season burning in soon. Hurricane ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, Payment For Ecosystem Services, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm

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