Category: Invasive Species

Millones haciendo ciencia: cómo la participación ciudadana revoluciona la investigación global sobre biodiversidad con ayuda de la tecnología

by Luz Bahder
July 28, 2025

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Una rana croa desde un sendero. Un vacacionista toma una fotografía y la sube a iNaturalist. Este simple acto: una persona, ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alemania, Australia, Bélgica, Biodiversidad, Brittany Mason, Ciencia Ciudadana, Conservacion, Corea Del Sur, Corey Callaghan, Datos, Ecología Global, Español, Estados Unidos, Fotografías De Vida Silvestre, Grabaciones De Audio, Herramienta, Inaturalist, INaturalist App, Investigación Científica, Mapas De Rangos De Distribución, Naturaleza, Participación Ciudadana, Plataforma, Plataforma Tecnológica Global, Registros, República Checa, Spanish, Tecnología, UF-IFAS, Unión Internacional Para La Conservación De La Naturaleza, University Of Florida Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Valor Científico, Vida Silvestre

Know your Enemy: The Diseases Mosquitoes Carry Series 3

by Lisa Hickey
July 25, 2025

Understanding mosquitoes is the first step in protecting yourself from the diseases they carry. While the male mosquito buzzes around your ears, it’s the female that bites–seeking a blood meal to support egg development. Beyond being a ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease
Tags: Arboviruses, Dengue, Florida Health, Malaria, Mosquito Prevention, Mosquito-borne Diseases, Public Health, UF/IFAS Extension, Vector Control, West Nile Virus

Help Fight the Invasive Air Potato Vine in St. Lucie County

by Sara MacDonald
July 24, 2025

It’s that time of year again, air potato vines are starting to sprout, and many of us are wondering: how can we get rid of them? What is the air potato? The air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) is a fast-growing, invasive vine originally from ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Air Potato, Air Potato Leaf Beetle, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management, Invasive Species, IPM

Hillsborough County Plant Clinic Offers Free Service to Answer Lawn and Landscape Questions

by Tia Silvasy
July 23, 2025

Plant Clinic Services UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County has trained Master Gardener Volunteers and staff to answer your questions about turfgrass, vegetables, fruit trees, ornamental plants, shrubs, trees and more. We offer insect and ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Disease, Free, Garden Help, Help Desk, Hillsborough County, Insect, Plant Clinic, Soil, Tampa Bay, UF/IFAS Extension

Thrips parvispinus Management

by Caitlin Sollazzo
July 23, 2025

Thrips parvispinus: What We’re Learning About Management in Ornamentals A relatively new invasive pest in Florida, Thrips parvispinus, has quickly gained attention due to its ability to damage a wide range of ornamental and vegetable crops. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Insects, Manatee County Extension, Pesticides, Thrips, UF/IFAS Extension

Scaring neighbors and causing community tension: Study uncovers cost of invasive chameleons

by Lourdes Mederos
July 22, 2025

When exotic chameleons creep into a suburban Florida neighborhood, they bring more than their color-changing charm. They can also spark confusion, curiosity and social chaos. A new study by scientists at the University of Florida Institute ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Central Florida, Chameleon, Diane Sturgeon, Exotic Pet Market, IFAS, Invasion Science Institute, Invasive Reptiles, Invasive Species, Invasive Species Management, Lourdes Mederos, News, Non-native Species, Orange County, Panther Chameleon, Public, Residential Neighborhood, Societal Effects, Society, Species, Species Introduction, Stakeholders, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, University Of Florida, Warm Climate, Wildlife Managers, Wildlife Trade

Florida Land Steward Update, July 18, 2025

by Chris Demers
July 18, 2025

THANKS TO THOSE JOINING US YESTERDAY FOR OUR FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WEBINAR ABOUT THE GOPHER TORTOISE RECIPIENT SITE PROGRAM, RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE Mac Barrett, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gave an excellent presentation ... 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 Panther, Forest Management, Gopher Tortoise, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm, Wildlife

From itchy bites to asthma triggers: Why one scientist studies what’s bugging us

by Lourdes Mederos
July 14, 2025

From bed bugs in bedrooms and cockroaches in kitchens to the latest invasive pests spreading into new communities, the uninvited guests that sneak into our homes are more than just nuisances—they can be public health threats, economic ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Allergenic Proteins, Allergens, Bd Bugs, Bites, Bugs, Cockroaches, Data-driven, Entomology, Extension Outreach, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Health Risk, Histamine, Homes, Households, Human Immune Response, Insects, Invasive Pests, Johnalyn Gordon, Lourdes Mederos, Pest-management Solutions, Pests, Species, Structural Pests, Threats, Tropical Climate, Urban Pests

July 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
July 14, 2025

Recap of July 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector Oak trees play a vital role in our ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and beauty across the globe. In the United States, there are about 90 native oak species, with 24 found right ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Biosecurity, Early Detection, Eradication, FFD24-25, FloridaFirstDetector, Oaks, Quarantine, SeminoleCountyAg

Florida Land Steward Update, July 11, 2025

by Chris Demers
July 10, 2025

REPORT FLORIDA PANTHER SIGHTINGS If you see a Florida panther—whether in person, on a trail camera, or by signs like tracks, scat, or scratches—please report it at https://myfwc.com/panthersightings. These reports help The Florida Fish ... 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 Panther, Forest Health, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Tree Farm, Wildlife

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