Category: Pests & Disease

Porterweed Rust

by Caitlin Sollazzo
November 12, 2025

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
Left to right: Larval Antlion, pupal antlion, adult antlion.

Antlion Insects as Pets?

by Caitlin Sollazzo
September 6, 2025

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
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

by Caitlin Sollazzo
August 4, 2025

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
palm tree

Palm Seedling Invasion – How to Manage this Pesky Problem

by Christine Russo
September 13, 2022

The Palm Tree: A Florida Icon Palm trees can be found in every corner of the Sunshine State, as they are a great landscape plant, are easy to maintain, and are hardy when planted in the right environment. There are over 30 types of palms ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: IPM, Palm Trees

Florida NRCS Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Signup

by Christine Russo
November 2, 2021

GAINESVILLE, Florida, November 2, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners from Florida for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Agricultural producers ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Forests, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Cost Share, CSP, NRCS

It’s getting hot out there…protect yourself!

by Michelle Atkinson
July 12, 2021

photo credit Jay Janner | American-Statesman Report shows 215 people died in Florida from heat-related causes in the last 10 years. Of the 215 people who died from heat-related reasons, the highest number of fatalities occurred in June, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Heat Injury, Heat Stress, Hot, Prohort, Swprohort
Elevated tractor applying fertilizer to a corn field.

Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources

by Christine Russo
June 22, 2021

Application deadline for financial assistance is October 1 GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 21, 2021 — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until October 1 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Forests, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Environmental Quality Incentives Program, EQIP, Farming, Financial Assistance, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NRCS, Soil Health, USDA

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