UF/IFAS Pest Alert

September First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton

September 8, 2022

Recap of September First Friday with Florida First Detector On September 2, 2022, we dove into an overview of invasive species Florida. An invasive species is a non-native species that causes economic or environmental harm or harm to humans. ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Tags: Biosecurity, Early Detection, FFD22-23, FloridaFirstDetector, Invasive Species, SeminoleCountyAg

First Fridays with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton

August 15, 2022

What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Tags: Biosecurity, Early Detection, FFD22-23, FloridaFirstDetector, Invasive Species, SeminoleCountyAg

The sweetgum inscriber: A potential new pest of American sweetgum trees

by Heather Kalaman

March 10, 2022

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

2022 George Agrios Scholarship Endowment Recipient: Shannon McAmis

by Heather Kalaman

February 21, 2022

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

FDACS-DPI 2021 employee of the year: Dr. Nicole Casuso

by Heather Kalaman

January 9, 2022

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

New hope in the fight against tick-borne diseases

by Heather Kalaman

November 19, 2021

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

The golden rain tree (Koelreuteria elegans ssp. formosana): more foe than friend.

by Heather Kalaman

November 10, 2021

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

Giant African Land Snail Eradicated in Florida

by Heather Kalaman

October 12, 2021

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

Cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) and implications for native Opuntia

by Heather Kalaman

September 27, 2021

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

Tilapia explosion at Silver Springs State Park

by Jennifer Carr

September 27, 2021

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
Tags: #fish, Invasive, Parks, Springs

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