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
Thrips parvispinus (male left, female right) Photo Credit: Lyle Buss

Thrips parvispinus Management

by Caitlin Sollazzo
July 23, 2025

Thrips parvispinus: What We’re Learning About Management in Ornamentals A relatively new invasive pest in Florida, Thrips parvispinus, has quickly gained attention due to its ability to damage a wide range of ornamental and vegetable crops. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Insects, Manatee County Extension, Pesticides, Thrips, UF/IFAS Extension

It’s OK to Throw Plants Away: A Gardener’s Guide to Knowing When to Let Go

by Michelle Atkinson
October 28, 2024

As gardeners, we’re taught to nurture and protect our plants. Every seed, every stem feels like a living piece of potential, one that we can help grow into something beautiful and useful. But sometimes, plants simply outgrow their usefulness, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Tags: Indoor Plants, Invasive Plants, Old Plants, Recycling Plants, Unwanted Plants

Spring is Here, and So are the Bugs.

by Alyssa Vinson
March 30, 2023

How riotous the morning, draped in silver and pomegranate, new shoots gasping forth from soil tended carefully. Buds on branches swell and burst with leaves fresh and trembling in their newness. A haze of moisture in the morning air left staggering ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aphids, Beneficial Insects, Biocontrol, Featured Hot Topic, Florida Friendly Landscape, Florida Gardens, Insects, Ladybugs

A Landscape Guide for New Florida Residents

by Maggie Gaughan
November 8, 2022

Florida is an unique and special place. No wonder why so many folks from other states move here! If you've recently moved to Florida and are struggling to understand your yard, use the resources outlined in this guide to help you get acquainted ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Recreation, Turf, UF/IFAS, Water, Welcome, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Home Landscapes, Homeowner Resources, Irrigation, Save Water, Water Conservaton
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

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