Tag: Pests

UF study traces complex history of the strawberry

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

If you eat fruits or vegetables, how often do you think about their history? Former University of Florida post-doctoral researcher Zhen Fan did, as he traced the strawberry back over centuries. In a new paper published in the Proceedings ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Pests & Disease
Tags: Chromosome, Cross, Diseases, DNA, Doug Soltis, Evolution, Florida Museum Of Natural History, Genetic Diversity, Genetics, History, Hybrid, Octoploid, Pam Soltis, Pests, Plant Breeding, Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, Species, Strawberries, Strawberry, Vance Whitaker, Zhen Fan

From citrus to bamboo? Some growers might move to this crop with a multibillion-dollar worldwide market

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

With a global market valued at nearly $67 billion, bamboo may offer an alternative crop for some Florida growers reeling from a devastated citrus crop, says a University of Florida expert. “Bamboo is a good alternative crop to diversify ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Alternative Crops, Bamboo, Citrus, Citrus Research And Education Center, Clumbing Bamboo, Construction, Davie Kadyampakeni, Food, Furniture, Low Invasion, Michael Rogers, Pests, Soil, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Water

Groundbreaking for AI center part of 100th anniversary celebration of UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Agriculture isn’t just rows of citrus groves and fields of strawberries – it’s Florida’s second largest economic powerhouse, trailing only tourism. With more than 133,000 jobs riding on its success, farming fuels communities across the ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic
Tags: 100th Anniversary, Agricultural And Biological Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Center For Applied Artificial Intelligence In Agriculture, Dana Choi, Digital Twin, Diseases, Economy, Environment, Farming, Food, Fruits, Groundbreaking, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, J. Scott Angle, Jack Rechcigl, Jobs, Kevin Wang, Labor, Nathan Boyd, Ornamental Plants, Pests, Plant Breeding, Prec-ag, Precision Spraying

Florida strawberry season bursts with sweetness

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Florida’s late fall and winter don’t just bring cooler, less humid weather. The seasons bring the sweet burst of locally grown strawberries. Juicy, vibrant and fresh from the fields, these Sunshine State gems are waiting for you at your ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: Aroma, Consumers, Diseases, Ember, Encore, Flavor, Florida Strawberry Season, Genetics, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences, Pests, Pineberry, Plant Breeding, Strawberries, Strawberry Breeder, Strawberry Season, Vance Whitaker

Combining UV light and predatory mites could help manage nasty strawberry pest, but there’s a caveat

by Brad Buck
March 18, 2026

Growers can use ultraviolet light and predatory mites to help control a pest that can severely damage strawberries, but new University of Florida research adds a cautionary note. This integrated approach to managing twospotted spider mites ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Entomology And Nematology, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Integrated Pest Management, Mite Eggs, Pests, Predatory Mites, Sriyanka Lahiri, Strawberries, Twospotted Spider Mite, Ultraviolet Light, UV

AI center goal to put technology directly into growers’ hands to solve problems

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

It’s one thing to listen to a farmer describe the challenges of battling pests, unpredictable weather or dwindling resources — and quite another to hand them a tool that can tackle those problems head‑on. Imagine technology that manages ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, UF/IFAS
Tags: Agricultural And Biological Engineering, Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Center For Applied Artificial Intelligence In Agriculture, Climate, Dana Choi, Diseases, Drones, Economy, Farmers, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticutural Sciences, Kevin Wang, Nathan Boyd, Pests, Prec-ag, Precision Spraying, Prototype, Technology, Weather

A Mosquito’s Preference

by Suzanne Holloway
April 28, 2026

There always seems to be that one person who attracts all the mosquitoes, and if it’s you, you know the frustration. While scientists are still researching exactly why some people are mosquito magnets, understanding what draws them in can ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease
Tags: Disease, Human Pests, Mosquitos, Pests

Changes to the Orange County Plant Clinic

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

Did you know that UF/IFAS Extension Orange County has a group of trained volunteers to help you with your plant needs? If your plants are in need contact our Residential Plant Clinic! What exactly is a Plant Clinic? Think of it as a one-stop-shop ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Fertilizer, FFL, Florida, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits And Vegetables, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Volunteers, New Vegetable Gardener, OC MGV, Ocextension, Orange County, Pests, Plant Diagnostic, Plant Help, Plants, Trees, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Vegetable Gardening, Volunteers

Residential Plant Clinics around Orange County

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

Whether you're an avid backyard gardener or just starting your houseplant collection, the Orange County Plant Clinic is here to help! Operated by dedicated Master Gardener Volunteers, the Plant Clinic is your go-to resource for plant questions ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits And Vegetables, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Irrigation, Landscape, Landscape Management, New Vegetable Gardener, Ocextension, Orange County, Orange County Master Gardener Volunteers, Orange County MGV, Orange County Plant Clinic, Pests, Plant Clinic, Plants, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Vegetable Gardening

UF wildlife ecologists teach public to help boost bluebird population

by Brad Buck
April 13, 2026

As pest-eaters, Eastern bluebirds benefit Florida farmers. Not only that, they’re cute. Two good reasons Hance Ellington has started a program to preserve them. As a UF/IFAS assistant professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, Ellington ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Bluebirds, Eastern Bluebird, Hance Ellington, Insectivores, Katie Sieving, Nest Box, Pests, Range Cattle Research And Education Center, Teaching, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Subscribe For More Great Content