One of the most abundant hardwood trees in the southeastern United States, American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) has a wide distribution ranging from southwestern Connecticut to central Florida. The origin of it's botanical nomenclature ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
The George Agrios Scholarship was originally founded in the spring of 2020, with the goal of supporting graduate students enrolled in the University of Florida’s Doctor of Plant Medicine Program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
Dr. Nicole Casuso was recently named the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry's 2021 Employee of the Year! Graduating from the UF Doctor of Plant Medicine program in May of 2017, she began working ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
You've embarked upon a hike to decompress, spend some much needed time outdoors, and get away from your multiple blue light emitting screens. Low and behold, you return home to later find one of the most infamous pests on the planet—a tick, ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
It is officially Fall in Florida. Temperatures are dropping, the holidays are just around the corner, and *gasp* the notorious golden rain trees have finally set fruit. Oh, you know the one. The giant, sprawling trees with their light peach, ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry and the USDA have officially announced the eradication of giant African land snails (GALS) from the state of Florida. Of interest to note, this is the ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
Did you know that Florida is home to several species of native cacti? Its true! The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) produces edible fruit with flowers that bloom a variety of warm-toned colors. These cacti also serve as important nutrient ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute (FSI) has found an alarming invasion of Blue tilapia that has replaced the native fish population in Silver Springs State Park based on a recent survey. In 2019, Blue tilapia made up 25% of the ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Pests & Disease
Recently, USDA-APHIS added 195 sections across Florida in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties to the citrus black spot (CBS) quarantine list. Citrus black spot is a disease is caused by the fungal pathogen, Guignardia cirtricarpa ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
Recently, the aphid species Sinomegoura citricola was discovered on mango fruit in a suburban area of Palmetto, Florida. Native to Asia, this aphid pest has previously only been recorded once prior, on citrus in California. As a highly polyphagous ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease