FORT PIERCE, Fla. — In Patricia Prade’s native Brazil, Brazilian peppertree is a natural tree that fruits red peppercorns. But, in Florida, the tree is the state’s most serious invasive plant, where it consumes more than 700,000 acres of the state’s natural landscapes and displaces Florida’s natural species.
This year, Prade completed a Ph.D. in entomology at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory (UF/IFAS-BCRCL) in Fort Pierce, Florida. The laboratory is one of only three that specialize in biological control of invasive species in Florida. Prade’s thesis involved biological control of the Brazilian peppertree. Its title is “The Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree in Florida.”
Biological control is a method to control invasive species with its natural enemies from the invasive species’ natural habitat. In Brazil, Brazilian peppertree (BP) is a much smaller plant that does not grow out of control as it does in Florida. The tree is a normal part of the South American landscape because its natural enemies are nearby to feed on the tree and maintain its normal size, said Prade.
“Biocontrol is a recommended technique to control Brazilian peppertree in Florida because of the extension of the areas covered with BP, the costs associated with chemical and mechanical control in such a big area are prohibitive, and some of these areas with high BP infestation are environmentally sensitive, like the Everglades National Park,” said Prade.
The laboratory in which Prade did most of her work is at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, or IRREC, one of 12 research centers throughout Florida. Directing her studies was Carey Minteer, assistant professor of entomology at IRREC. Prade completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in forestry engineering at the Regional University of Blumenau in Brazil. In Brazil, Prade’s master’s studies were co-supervised by Rodrigo Diaz, a former postdoctoral scientist working with Bill Overholt, former research leader for the BCRCL’s weed biocontrol program and now an emeritus professor of entomology. Diaz met Prade while visiting southern Brazil in 2013 in search of new potential biological control species for study at the UF lab in Fort Pierce.
All around the laboratory, and on state-owned and private lands throughout Florida, the Brazilian peppertree outcompetes natural plants for water and space. But last year, after years of extensive research and following state and federal regimentations, teams of scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the University of Florida released an insect as a biological control agent statewide against the Brazilian peppertree.
The insect is the Brazilian peppertree thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini, a tiny black insect that feeds on BP trees’ stems. The thrips were released at state parks and on ranches throughout the state in 2019.
“Work with the BP thrips started around 1994,” said Prade. “Many years of hard work and several highly skilled researchers from the U.S. and South America made the releases in 2019 possible. I did an experiment with the thrips last year.”
Other work Prade did to make the BP biological control effort successful was published in scholarly scientific journals. Prade is the lead author of one research journal article about a second biological control insect against BP, the yellow Brazilian peppertree leafgaller. Biocontrol Science and Technology published an article titled Galls induced by Calophya latiforceps. An additional journal article to which she contributed was published in Florida Entomologist. The article entitled Taxonomy of Calophya associated with Brazilian peppertree, talks about all the species of the leafgallers that damage Brazilian peppertree in Brazil. UF/IFAS scientists expect to release the leafgaller to control the BP in Florida in 2021.
Prade wrote three extension online publications for UF’s Department of Entomology Featured Creature database. The documents outline and detail the BP thrips, which was released last year and is damaging the invasive tree throughout the state, the yellow BP leafgaller, an insect soon to be released in Florida, and the salvinia weevil, a worldwide successful biological control agent of giant salvinia. All three extension documents (BP thrips, yellow BP leafgaller, and salvinia weevil) were published on UF’s Electronic Document Information System, or EDIS. Prade also co-authored with Minteer and colleagues a book for the Florida Exotic Species Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) on the integrated pest management guide for BP, a scientists’ efforts to control Florida’s most serious invasive plant with biological controls.
Prade’s awards as a UF/IFAS graduate student include the Julia Morton Invasive Plant Research Grant Program, and the Kathy Craddock Burks Education Grant, both sponsored by the FLEPPC. Each of the awards was presented to her in 2017. She received a Travel Award, sponsored by the University of Florida Graduate Student Council, to attend the Hemiptera-Plant Interactions Symposium in 2017. In 2016, Prade won a mini-grant for her research, sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Invasive Plants Section. Also, in 2016, Prade garnered two presentation awards for graduate student competitions. She placed second for an academic poster presentation at the International Congress of Entomology in 2016, and third for an oral presentation at the FLEPPC Annual Symposium. Prade also mentored students, participated in several outreach events organized by Minteer, and Skype a Scientist.
1
Comments:
October 22, 2021
Thank you for your wonderful comments! Mr. Croxton--please email me at koestoyo@ufl.edu We need a letter of support for an award nomination. Thank you!
October 4, 2021
The fungi are endemic to Central Florida. Dr. Avery has presented on this topic at the Florida Citrus Show for the last two years. Thank you for your encouraging comments. We are excited about the possibilities.
October 4, 2021
Hey there! I could have sworn I've been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it's new to me. Anyways, I'm definitely happy I found it and I'll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
October 2, 2021
Yes Good work was wondering where the fungi are found and why didn’t we know about it sooner?
October 2, 2021
Hi Rick. Did you want to comment?
October 2, 2021
September 18, 2021
Thanks much, Beth :)
September 17, 2021
Congratulations Martine
September 10, 2021
Thanks for your kind words, colega. I am also rooting for you here!! Tons of love from this beautiful strip of land :)
August 31, 2021
Dr. Minteer has graciously volunteered her time and expertise to work with an aspiring biocontrol researcher at my high school in Florida. I'm so grateful for her investment and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition. Outstanding Scientist indeed!
August 31, 2021
As a teacher in the high school that Carrie attended, North Pulaski in Jacksonville, AR, let me say how proud all of the former students and teachers are that one of their own is making such a positive impact in the world of biological science! I am also proud to see that Dr. Minteer is actively involved with the young people of today, exposing them to the fascinating world of science. Dr. Carrie Minteer, thank you for making a difference!
August 24, 2021
So grateful to meet people like you, my dear collegue. I'm pretty sure that you'll achieve all your goals. I send you a hug from Valle de Bravo, MX.
August 2, 2021
Great work on trying to keep Florida Citrus Growers economically viable. They have weathered a lot over the last decades. Congrats to UF/IFAS!
November 21, 2020
Hello. We need funding to mass raise the thrips for public distribution. Meanwhile, the insects we did raise are at work on state lands and private ranches
October 10, 2020
How can we get ahold of this thrip? I live in Jacksonville Beach, at the marsh and we have a lot of Brazilian Pepper in City of Jax Beach Cradle Creek Park ( and quite frankly at my house I too, keep hacking at it) The Parks and Rec Dept of Jax Beach would be the contact I guess for this. We did a invasive BP round up one weekend day, but we barely dented the surface of this invasive at Cradle Creek. Please help
September 29, 2020
Hi Koestoyo, Such an amazing article. It's very interesting to read more about how AI can be used in the industry. You would love to see my python course duration and fees in pune site as well. Thanks once again.
September 25, 2020
This is fantastic. I would love to see the flow of the process from original elementary product and subsequent break down and by products. Isn’t Florida rich in phosphorus over by Route 60 in western side of state? Thank you for your brilliance. - Betty Jo Starke..
September 11, 2020
Very insightful! With your wealth of experience,I trust you’ll be a great addition to IRREC
August 12, 2020
Hello Asghar, I have heard from three of our scientists and none of them know about artificial breeding of Telenomus baseola. One of the scientists did suggest that you simply add those keywords to the Google search engine. They feel the answer is somewhere online.
August 7, 2020
I will ask our entomologists and get back to you after they respond.
July 29, 2020
Hello I am an Entomology PhD student at Chamran University of Iran. I am working on artificial breeding of Telenomus baseola. If you have any information about its artificial food send me please.
July 26, 2020
Thank you very much Şahin Hocam! Being your student was a great chance and privilege!
July 22, 2020
We are proud of Egem Özbudak. It was clear to see that he is going to be a scientist in the future when he was our student in high school in Izmir, Turkey.
July 18, 2020
The naturally occurring benefits were on citrus trees growing near the canopy of oak trees. This would say to me that it must be the leaves falling from the oaks to the ground that is giving the citrus trees the oak leaf extract.Therefore, it's brown leaves off the ground that you can use to make your oak leaf tea. I've just been brewing a 5gal. bucket of brown leaves, and watering my trees with the tea once a week. I've had normal looking fruit from my kumquat tree this spring already, so it might be working!
June 16, 2020
Hello, have you seen any changes in your citrus trees?
June 11, 2020
I think this is a real great blog post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
May 16, 2020
Very good interview with lots of insight. I trust Doc. Tolu will make IRREC proud.
May 14, 2020
Bravo Doc. I know you will be a great addition to IRREC. More of those giant strides!
May 6, 2020
Darlington oak.
May 6, 2020
Mimic nature. I’m trying it myself, I have nothing to go on but instinct. I’m soaking a 5 gallon bucket full of green leaves for two days, then straining and diluting in my 50 gallon sprayer. Haven’t seen much change but it’s only been 3 weeks, once a week.
May 1, 2020
It is better if the oak leaves are green.
May 1, 2020
If I was to make oak leaf tea to spray my citrus, does it matter if the oak leaves are green or dried brown?
February 27, 2020
I have several feral citrus trees growing under oak trees in Palm City. Some may be sour oranges, but based on where my dog used to bury grapefruit I believe some are the Duncan variety. I offer these trees for a UF trial study if that would be useful.
January 28, 2020
Program and release in Brevard County will be at the Extension Service, 3695 lake /dr. Cocoa, on April 9th. Registration for the even will be on Eventbrite.
January 25, 2020
I would be curious about the rest of the layers of plants around the citrus and the varietals of oak.
January 25, 2020
What about integrating the fallen leaves into the soil? &/or using it as mulch?
January 24, 2020
Where would one import such a map please?
January 24, 2020
So is it possibly people are not seeing the forest for the trees on this one. Is it possible that the soil is healthier around oak trees than in a monoculture environment and maybe there is more beneficial bacteria and mychorizae associated with them than a field type environment. ?
January 23, 2020
Maybe this link to the video will work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtO0Pa6tD8s&t
January 23, 2020
Check out a poductive feral citrus population videotaped in an oak understory and you can see the benefit. Search youtube for the following, "Wild Citrus in a Florida Forest? Why It's a Big Deal."
January 23, 2020
If the extract of the Oak Tree leaves is effective against HLB, It would appear by developing a harvesting method for the leaves could be achieved and have the extract made into a finished spray in quanties at a processing plant like.Bayer chemicalThey being a good place to start. The challenge to Bayer et.al would be to turn this into a systemic treatment which lasts longer than spraying. Bayer et.al have technology in place which they use on the ash boer as an example.If effective systemically on HLB ,is the need to check the toxicology of the extract regarding potential human consumption.is probably required. The toxicology study would be required for sprays as well. Currently existing for other application using systemics on tree can be effective for a year with one application to the base of the tree.The average cost to do an application tree using an application of 1 ounce per 1 inch of circumference of the trunk of the tree should be affordable.
January 22, 2020
Please import 3D map of citrus + oak inter cropping method
January 22, 2020
Would mulching with oak leaves be of any benefit?
January 22, 2020
Could new groves be set up with interplanting of oak and citrus trees? It seems like the citrus trees would have to be resprayed regularly, an expensive process.
November 26, 2019
merci pour les informations
November 9, 2019
Just saw this too late. This is wonderful. Is there a way for me to release in a residential area in Indialantic?
September 12, 2019
Hello Mr. Burchianti. Thrips will be made available to the public in about a year. At this time the scientists are releases thrips during news conferences. A news conference is scheduled for October 24.
September 12, 2019
PRESS RELEASE The Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program Comes to Successful Conclusion Research and extension faculty with UF/IFAS have reached successful completion of the five-year Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program. UF/IFAS project partners are: Dr. Carey Minteer (lead) with the Indian River Research and Education Center and Ken Gioeli (co-lead) at the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County. This program began in 2014 as an initiative by the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center and the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County in collaboration with Extension offices and partner agencies throughout Florida. The focus of the project involved the introduction of a new biological control agent Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to helped teach residents how to use the insect to manage the invasive air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). Floridians struggled to control this invasive vine which can grow up to eight inches per day and smother native vegetation. This UF/IFAS research and extension program was paired with a mass rearing effort and distribution process that helped citizens throughout Florida. Researchers at USDA ARS are credited for discovering L. cheni as a viable biological control agent for air potato. The program has been highly successful with tens of thousands of L. cheni beetles provided to stakeholders for release. It significantly increased the general knowledge of invasive species of the people surveyed by an average of 227 percent and general knowledge about biocontrol by an average of 401 percent. Perception of the safety of biological control increased by an average of 434 percent and perceived effectiveness of biocontrol increased by 344 percent. The combination of a charismatic and effective natural enemy along with an educational program has significantly increased the knowledge about invasive plant species and the knowledge and acceptance of biocontrol as a safe and effective control method. The Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program was recognized with three national awards and one state award. While UF/IFAS has completed research and extension activities with this project, educational resources will continue to be made available online at http://bcrcl.ifas.ufl.edu/airpotatobiologicalcontrol.shtml. This website features information about insect availability from project partners. For additional information, please call Natural Resources and Environment Extension Agent IV Ken Gioeli with the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County at 772-462-1627 or ktgioeli@ufl.edu.
September 12, 2019
PRESS RELEASE The Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program Comes to Successful Conclusion Research and extension faculty with UF/IFAS have reached successful completion of the five-year Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program. UF/IFAS project partners are: Dr. Carey Minteer (lead) with the Indian River Research and Education Center and Ken Gioeli (co-lead) at the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County. This program began in 2014 as an initiative by the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center and the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County in collaboration with Extension offices and partner agencies throughout Florida. The focus of the project involved the introduction of a new biological control agent Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to helped teach residents how to use the insect to manage the invasive air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). Floridians struggled to control this invasive vine which can grow up to eight inches per day and smother native vegetation. This UF/IFAS research and extension program was paired with a mass rearing effort and distribution process that helped citizens throughout Florida. Researchers at USDA ARS are credited for discovering L. cheni as a viable biological control agent for air potato. The program has been highly successful with tens of thousands of L. cheni beetles provided to stakeholders for release. It significantly increased the general knowledge of invasive species of the people surveyed by an average of 227 percent and general knowledge about biocontrol by an average of 401 percent. Perception of the safety of biological control increased by an average of 434 percent and perceived effectiveness of biocontrol increased by 344 percent. The combination of a charismatic and effective natural enemy along with an educational program has significantly increased the knowledge about invasive plant species and the knowledge and acceptance of biocontrol as a safe and effective control method. The Air Potato Biological Control Extension Program was recognized with three national awards and one state award. While UF/IFAS has completed research and extension activities with this project, educational resources will continue to be made available online at http://bcrcl.ifas.ufl.edu/airpotatobiologicalcontrol.shtml. This website features information about insect availability from project partners. For additional information, please call Natural Resources and Environment Extension Agent IV Ken Gioeli with the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County at 772-462-1627 or ktgioeli@ufl.edu.
August 16, 2019
How fortunate we are to have such a 'treasure' in our community. The word is dependent upon such research.
August 13, 2019
Great article. Wish we had more researchers lik you, Jonny.
July 24, 2019
interested in acquiring the "thrips" insect for control of brazalian pepper trees
July 18, 2019
How can I get more air potato beetles? Since I released the last batch I've found three more areas separate from the original where air potatoes are taking a hold. I appreciate any direction you can give. Sincerely, Laura Stapleton
June 28, 2019
Hello. I am extremely interested in obtaining as many red beetles as possible. I have over 5 acres that is overrun by potatoe vines. They are consuming our entire property. I am willing to pay for assistance in getting rid of or atleast deterring this problem. Please let me know if you can help. Thank you so much.
April 18, 2019
Ah great initiation happening around in Florida. In Nepal our citrus groves are in the state of exhaustion. But no one giving a priority to react. https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/citrus-greening-nepals-groves-under-threat/
April 13, 2019
A very accomplished career. A gentle giant that will be greatly missed.
April 13, 2019
We didn’t know Dr. Calvert, but his son, Victor, came surely from the same mold. An honorable, hard-working man who contributes much to the lives of others. Blessings on the family, all of you. May the memories of Dr. Calvert encourage you to continue his lifestyle.
April 3, 2019
My condolences to the Calvert family and UF Ft Pierce..
October 9, 2018
I had the chance to be Mr ÖZBUDAK's teacher at high school. I am proud of him. I am sure he will be successful on his research.
March 30, 2018
正在找这个，谢谢！
December 14, 2017
I’m not that much of a online readeг to bｅ honeѕt but your sites really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your websitｅ to come back in the future. Cheers
December 8, 2017
Aw, thiѕ was an exceptionally nice ⲣost. Taking the time and actual effort to create a top notch article… but whɑt can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
September 27, 2017
Congratulations Dr. He and Dr. Wright
Comments are closed.