Tag: Manatee County Extension

Porterweed Rust


May 15, 2026

Sometimes nature can be quite beautiful. This is rust (Puccinia urbaniana) infecting native porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis). If you look closely, you can even see tiny fly larvae feeding on the spores of the rust fungus.Rust is a type ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Horticulture, Manatee County, Manatee County Extension

Bringing the Future of Florida’s Artificial Reefs into Focus


May 15, 2026

The 2020 Florida Artificial Reef Summit... Still on a Screen Near You. For more than three decades, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant have played a primary leadership role in the evolution of Florida’s artificial reef program. This ... READ MORE

Category: , Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Artificial Reefs, Fisheries, Fisheries Management, Florida Sea Grant, FWC, Manatee County Extension
Left to right: Larval Antlion, pupal antlion, adult antlion.

Antlion Insects as Pets?


May 15, 2026

My Story One day on a walk, I noticed a cluster of tiny funnel-shaped pits in the sand. I knew right away who made them … an antlion larva, also called a “doodlebug.” These little predators are masters at building some of the most ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, Antlions, Insects, Manatee County Extension
Families Are Coping with Financial Struggles

Families Are Coping with Financial Struggles


May 15, 2026

Families are coping with financial struggles as we move through 2025; many families across the nation are grappling with the growing weight of financial stress. From rising living costs and housing shortages to job market shifts driven by automation ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Family And Consumer Sciences, Family Money Management, Financial Assistance, Financial Management, Manatee County, Manatee County Extension, Money Management, UF/IFAS Extension
Finding Help in Hard Times

Finding Help in Hard Times


May 15, 2026

As financial challenges persist into 2025, many families are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and uncertain about where to turn and are finding help in hard times. Whether you're struggling to pay bills, keep up with rent, or find affordable childcare, ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Family And Consumer Sciences, Family Money Management, Finances With Children, Financial Management, Manatee County, Manatee County Extension, Mental Health, Money Management, UF/IFAS Extension
From left to right: aphid parasitoid wasp, whitefly parasitoid wasp larva, caterpillar parasitoid, predatory mite. Photo credits: caitlin Sollazzo

The Beneficial Insects You Don’t See


May 15, 2026

When we talk about insect conservation, the conversation usually centers on “saving the bees.” But this often overlooks an entire world of tiny, unseen creatures that are just as vital to our ecosystems. These small, often overlooked arthropods, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Conservation, Florida Friendly Landscape, Gardening, Horticulture, Insects, Manatee County Extension, Microscopic

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