Like to color but bored with mainstream coloring books lately with their vapid, merely decorative fare? Had it up to here with hosts and crowds of lovely daffodils and anodyne woodland scenes that look like something out of The Lord of the Rings? ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife
One tree I meant to mention but forgot about in my previous post trying to convince everyone to consider alternative, non-pine Christmas trees is the humble olive. The one I bought three or four years ago is still going strong despite my shockingly ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
What is that!? Wondering about the green caterpillar you found nestled in your broccoli or the manylegged creature crawling up your pants leg? Learn all about it in the Featured Creatures collection on Ask IFAS! Creatures with Stories UF/IFAS's ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
An arbovirus...? What's that? West Nile virus is one of many arboviruses in Florida. "Arbovirus" may sound like it must be related to the Latin word for tree: arbor. So it might seem like it should mean a virus that infects trees. In fact, ... READ MORE
Category: Livestock, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
In 2019, the estimated value of farmed squash and pumpkin in Florida was over $35 million. So problems with squash yields can get very expensive in this state. If your squash and pumpkin plants fail to yield the harvest you expected, the issue ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic
This guide provides assistance in selecting, purchasing, and using commercially available natural enemies and biopesticides for managing pest problems. The guide assists in the identification of pests by habitat and lists types of natural enemies ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Pests & Disease
The blue morpho butterfly, also known as the peleides blue morpho or common blue morpho, is a brightly colored butterfly abundant in tropical environments in Central and South America. It can be seen flying in open areas such as paths, trails, ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
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
The tea shot-hole borer is an Asian ambrosia beetle introduced to Florida in the early 2000s. In Florida it does not have any known economic impact, but it is a serious pest of tea around the world and is one of the few ambrosia beetles that ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Pests & Disease
The true sand flies are densely covered with setae, have long slender legs, and broad and pointed wings that are held erect at rest. Several phlebotomine species are vectors of the protozoan parasites in the genus Leishmania, that are the causal ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Work & Life