Plants In Florida Research Articles

Identification of planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) intercepted on aquarium plants in Florida and elucidation of a potential pathway for exotic aquatic and semiaquatic pests

Identification of planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) intercepted on aquarium plants in Florida and elucidation of a potential pathway for exotic aquatic and semiaquatic pests

Climate modelling suggests a review of the legal status of Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolia in South Africa is required

Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) is a tree native to subtropical South America that was introduced into South Africa in the early 1900s as an ornamental plant. The tree has since escaped cultivation and has invaded ruderal and pristine habitats along the eastern coast of South Africa. Brazilian Pepper is also one of the most problematic invasive alien plants in Florida, USA. We modelled the climatically suitable area for this species in South Africa using MaxEnt, with five distinct datasets: incorporating both the native and the invaded range of the species, as well as different backgrounds. Data sets included: only the South African invasive range distribution points (SA-model); South African invasive range distribution points and Koppen-Geiger climate regions representative in South Africa set as the model background (SA, KG model); only the invaded range distribution points in South Africa and Florida (SA, Fl model); (d) the native range and invaded range distribution points in South African, Florida and South America (SA, Fl, SAm model); (e) only the native range distribution points (SAm model). To quantify overfitting and model performance, we evaluated the area under curve (AUC) and omission rates of the models. Models calibrated with both native and invaded range data projected larger areas (> 60,000 km2) of South Africa to be suitable to the plant when compared to when just the native range data were used to calibrate the model (29,677 km2). Model background influence the potential distribution in South Africa. Our results suggest that the species may have undergone a climatic niche extension in South Africa. Importantly the models suggested that Brazilian pepper has not yet reached its full potential distribution in South Africa and may spread into the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where the plant is currently not listed under the country's invasive species regulations. We recommend a change in the South African legislation in an attempt to pre-empt the potential invasion of this damaging invasive species into the Western Cape Province where it is not yet widespread.

Antibiotic Resistance in Marine Microbial Communities Proximal to a Florida Sewage Outfall System.

Water samples were collected at several wastewater treatment plants in southeast Florida, and water and sediment samples were collected along and around one outfall pipe, as well as along several transects extending both north and south of the respective outfall outlet. Two sets of samples were collected to address potential seasonal differences, including 38 in the wet season (June 2018) and 42 in the dry season (March 2019). Samples were screened for the presence/absence of 15 select antibiotic resistance gene targets using the polymerase chain reaction. A contrast between seasons was found, with a higher frequency of detections occurring in the wet season and fewer during the dry season. These data illustrate an anthropogenic influence on offshore microbial genetics and seasonal flux regarding associated health risks to recreational users and the regional ecosystem.

Little Leaf Notcher (suggested common name) Artipus floridanus Horn (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Artipus floridanus Horn, also known as the little leaf notcher, is a secondary pest of citrus and several ornamental plants in Florida and the Caribbean. This species is in the order Coleoptera, the beetles, and the family Curculionidae, the weevils and snout beetles. It was first described by Horn in 1876 (Poole 1996). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1264
 Also available at: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/CITRUS/Artipus_floridanus.html

A Beginner's Guide to Begonias: Classification and Diversity

Begonia is the fifth largest genus of flowering plants with over 1,800 species and hybrids. Begonias are known by their bright, full flowers and also their leaves, which vary to showcase patterns, designs or color. Begonias have a pan-tropical distribution, occupying the tropical regions of every continent except Australia. Begonias are commonly used in the landscape, although their heat tolerance makes them more desirable as a potted plant or houseplant in Florida. Begonias thrive best in partially-shaded areas, as they are sensitive to bright light and should be protected from the Florida summers in particular. Begonias grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 – 11, and are often used as hanging baskets, flowerpots, garden beds, and in the landscape (Gardening Solutions 2019). This EDIS publication is for Florida gardeners and horticulturalists hoping to learn more about the different classifications of begonias, as well as those interested in learning more about this potential landscape or houseplant.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep581

Temperature dependent survival and fecundity of Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a potential biological control agent of Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

ABSTRACTLepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is monophagous on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), an invasive floating plant in Florida. Temperature studies were conducted to determine the optimal temperature for development and reproduction for this potential biological control agent. Egg development time decreased as temperature increased from 17°C to 30°C. No eggs developed and no nymphs survived at 15°C. Adult females survived the longest at 15°C, indicating that they might be more resilient to cold temperatures. Optimal temperature for nymph development was 25°C with 29% surviving to adulthood in 18.2 ± 0.4 days.

Morphological and Cytological Comparisons of Eight Varieties of Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) Grown in Florida

Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a popular low-growing ornamental plant valued for its heat and drought tolerance and continuous purple or white flowering throughout much of the year. Recently, trailing lantana was predicted to be invasive by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida, and therefore not recommended for use. All cultivars fall under this designation unless proven otherwise. Eight trailing lantana varieties were obtained from wholesale growers and naturalized populations found in Texas and Australia. Plants were propagated vegetatively, finished in 4-inch pots, and planted under field conditions to determine morphological and cytological differences among varieties. Australian trailing lantana differed morphologically from the other varieties in its smaller habit, leaves (which had serrate-crenate leaf margins, and fewer appressed hairs), heavy fruiting, and cold sensitivity (observational reduced growth and flowering during winter months). Nuclear DNA content analysis suggests that Australian trailing lantana is likely a tetraploid and all other varieties evaluated were likely triploids with high levels of sterility. Pollen stainability of Australian trailing lantana was moderately high (58.83%), whereas pollen production was rarely observed in all other varieties. Results support that there are two forms of trailing lantana, the U.S. varieties distinguished by their leaf and flower morphology, ploidy level, and the absence of fruit and viable pollen.

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Gut Passage Can Alter Seed Germinability

Seed dispersal by animals is an important plant-animal mutualism, but saurochory, the dispersal of seeds by reptiles, is an understudied phenomenon despite its prevalence in many taxa. The effects of seed ingestion by the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) were investigated in eight central Florida plant species by comparing germination of ingested seeds to seeds that did not pass through tortoises. Seeds from both treatments were also planted with and without tortoise scat. Both the percentage of seeds germinating and the time to germination were recorded. Ingested seeds from two fleshy-fruited plant species germinated in greater proportions and in less time than control seeds. The presence of scat also increased germination proportion following gut passage and decreased time to germination in both these species. Germination proportions in five dry-fruited native species were either not affected, or lowered, and time to germination was either not affected, or slower. Similarly, the effects of scat had either no effect on germination percentage in these species or caused a decrease, and either had no effect on time to germination or caused an increase. One non-native dry-fruited species was also tested, and although germination percentage following gut passage was unaffected, time to germination decreased. Similarly, while the addition of scat increased germination percentage, there was no effect on time to germination. In summary only seeds from fleshy-fruited plant species were consistently positively impacted by passage through gopher tortoise guts and by gopher tortoise scat.

Wildflower plantings harbor increased arthropod richness and abundance within agricultural areas in Florida (USA)

AbstractIntensive agriculture has led to a reduction of overall biodiversity and ecosystem services such as pollination and biological control. To offset these economic losses, many farmers are planting native wildflowers to enhance flowering plant diversity and augment pollinator and other beneficial arthropod populations on their farms. In this study, we examined arthropod communities in Florida (USA) within wildflower plots and fallow control plots, which were primarily composed of grasses. Significantly more herbivorous insects, predatory arthropods, and pollinators were found within wildflower plots than in fallow control plots. We also implemented pollinator surveys at flowering plants. These surveys highlighted numerous plant–pollinator interactions within wildflower plots, supporting the idea that some native wildflower species are more attractive to pollinators than are others. Nevertheless, utilizing diverse flowering plants for wildflower plots may support a wide diversity of beneficial arthropod species, including native bees. Our results suggest that wildflower plantings in Florida can be a successful management tool to harbor increased overall plant and arthropod diversity (including native pollinators and other beneficial arthropods) within intensive agricultural areas.

Elongate hemlock scale, an exotic scale insect pest of Christmas trees and other conifers

Elongate hemlock scale, Fiorinia externa Ferris (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is an armored scale insect native to Japan and eastern Asia. This insect was first documented in the United States in 1908 in Queens, NY, and has since spread throughout most of the eastern United States. Though the primary hosts of the pest, hemlocks and firs, do not occur in Florida, there are concerns that elongate hemlock scale coming into the region on cut Christmas trees may disperse and establish on conifers that do occur in Florida. Of specific interest are two endangered species, Florida torreya (Torreya taxiflora) and Florida yew (Taxus floridana), which are native to a small region in northwestern Florida. Also of concern are Florida forestry species, Florida Christmas tree species, and species used for ornamental plantings in Florida. What can Florida do to protect its native conifers and farmed trees from the elongate hemlock scale? Find out in this 5-page fact sheet written by Adam Dale, Travis Birdsell, and Jill Sidebottom and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1253

2019–2020 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Root Weevils

Citrus root weevils represent a complex of species known to infest citrus trees and various alternate host plants in Florida. This 4-page fact sheet is part of the 2019–2020 Florida Citrus Production Guide. Written by Larry W. Duncan and Catharine Mannion, and published by the Entomology and Nematology Department, March 2019. ENY-611/CG006: 2022–2023 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Root Weevils (ufl.edu)

Health and establishment of highway plantings in Florida (United States)

Urban tree planting initiatives can experience high levels of mortality during establishment years. Mortality tied to the stresses of transplanting can be partially negated or exacerbated depending on the species selected, nursery materials used, site conditions present, and management practices employed. Past research has quantified post-planting survival, health, and growth. However, varying climates, species, land use types, and management practices warrant additional region-specific research. The purpose of this study is to assess the success of plantings along Florida highways and identify species, site, and management factors related to tree and palm health and establishment. Results show high establishment survival (98.5%) across 21 planting projects ranging from 9 to 58 months after installation (n = 2711). For transplanted palms, the presence of on-site irrigation significantly improved establishment from 96.2% to 99.4%. No establishment differences were detected with regard to irrigation treatment for small-stature trees, shade trees, and conifers. Additionally, there were significant differences in tree health response among tree groups given species, management, and site factors.

Mexican Rice Borer Control Tactics in United States Sugarcane

The invasive Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), expanded its range from Mexico to South Texas in the early 1980s. By 2008 the pest had moved into sugarcane- and rice-growing areas of East Texas and Louisiana, and by 2012 it was reported on noncrop host plants in Florida. Efforts to suppress E. loftini in United States sugarcane with chemicals and biological control agents were unsuccessful, so both tactics were discontinued, and E. loftini infestation of sugarcane has continued unchecked. During the last 15 years, however, research has focused on the pest’s ecology, improved insecticides and scouting methods, the identification of sugarcane resistance mechanisms, and new cultural tactics. A surveillance technique was developed that indicates when larvae are most vulnerable to insecticide sprays. Currently, registered insecticides for E. loftini control are not widely applied, although some show promise, including an insect growth regulator. A number of potentially useful cultural practices are available, including plowing under fallow stubble, judicious use of fertilizer, adequate irrigation, avoiding proximity to E. loftini-susceptible maize cultivars, and enhancement of natural enemy populations. Demonstrated and potentially useful sugarcane resistance mechanisms involve physiochemical attributes, physical characteristics, and transgenic cultivars.

Wind speed predicts population dynamics of the eriophyid mite Floracarus perrepae on invasive Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) in a shade house colony.

Lygodium microphyllum is one of the most noxious invasive plants in Florida, USA, smothering native vegetation in cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and Everglades tree islands and altering fire regimes. The eriophyid mite Floracarus perrepae was introduced from Australia to help control L. microphyllum infestations. While F. perrepae exhibits high population growth rates in its native range, its population dynamics in Florida are unknown, particularly the dynamics that occur within the leaf roll galls the mite induces on the margins of leaves. Here, we monitored a shade house colony of F. perrepae in south Florida for 2years to identify seasonal patterns and potential climate drivers of within-gall mite density. Gall dissections of mite-infested colony plants were performed monthly. Mite density within galls exhibited two cycles per year: a strong cycle that boomed in spring and busted in summer, and a weak cycle that moderately increased mite density in fall and declined in winter. Climate variables, particularly those related to wind speed, were positively associated with higher mite density. Our study sheds light on the within-gall dynamics of F. perrepae and suggests that the highest within-gall mite densities occur in the spring and fall.

Study Questions for the Certified Pesticide Applicator Examination: Natural Areas Weed Management

The following questions are intended to help prepare you for taking the Natural Areas Weed Management Certified Pesticide Applicator Examination. It should be used along with IFAS publications SP 295 Natural Area Weed Management - A Training Manual for Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators and SP 257 Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas, which can be obtained from the IFAS Extension Book store by calling 800-226-1764 (local 359-392-1764) or from http://ifasbooks.ufl.edu. For some questions you will need a copy of a Garlon 4 herbicide label, which can be obtained from http://www.cdms.net/manuf/manuf.asp. Answers to all questions can be found in these publications. You will greatly improve your ability to achieve a passing examination score by locating the answers to the study questions and writing them down. This document is SS-AGR-255, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Instituteof Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published August 2005.

The Profitability of New Citrus Plantings in Florida in the Era of Huanglongbing

The Florida citrus industry has been enduring the impact of citrus greening since 2005. The disease has been the main driver for the state’s citrus production to plummet by 80% in the past 13 years, causing the industry to downsize drastically. Planting new groves is key to ensuring a supply of fruit for processors and packinghouses to stay in business. However, a key question is whether it makes economic sense to plant a new grove in the current environment. We estimate the establishment and production costs for a new grove under endemic Huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening) conditions for three different tree planting densities under different market conditions and examine their profitability. Our results show that establishing a new grove with a tree density similar to that of the state’s average is not profitable under current market conditions. However, greater tree densities are profitable despite the greater level of investment required.

Wax Myrtle, Morella cerifera Synonym: Myrica cerifera

Wax myrtle is one the most widespread plants in Florida, and it is found in coastal states west to Texas and north to New Jersey. The wax found around seeds can be melted down to make candles. The fruits of wax myrtle are important for birds and other wildlife, and the plant is a larval host for the banded hairstreak and redbanded hairstreak butterflies (Satyrium calanus and Calycopis cecrops, respectively) (Lotts and Naberhaus 2017). Wax myrtle has been shown to contribute substantial nitrogen addition to soils via symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms residing in soils (Permar and Fisher 1983).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg176
 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Native Weedy Pests of the Deep South

By definition, an invasive plant is a non-native or alien species whose introduction causes or may cause economical or environmental harm. Due to well-documented and widespread devastating impacts of invasive plants, all exotic or introduced plant species often are erroneously referred to as invasive or considered detrimental, whereas native plants may be promoted as beneficial. Although invasive plants have been the subject of a great deal of research and discussion, less attention has been placed on native plant species that can become economically important weedy pests under certain scenarios, such as in landscape plantings or agricultural production systems. The objective of this manuscript is to synthesize current literature available on native weedy plants in Florida and other Southern United States (including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas) and discuss how their biology paired with human activities, preferences, and available management practices cause these species to proliferate and be problematic. Focus is placed on nine important native weeds in residential and commercial landscape plantings, including spurges (Euphorbia spp.), woodsorrels (Oxalis spp.), saw palmetto [Serenoa repens (Bartram) Small], bracken fern [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn], artillery weed (Pilea microphylla L.), Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch], trumpet creeper [Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. Ex Bureau], eastern poison ivy [Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze], and pennyworts/dollarweed (Hydrocotyle spp.). Reasons these species become problematic, including fast growth and reproductive rates, lack of selective management options, and ability to thrive in the landscape environment, also are discussed.

A long-term survey of spring monarch butterflies in north-central Florida

Long-term springtime counts of immature and adult monarch butterflies and their Asclepias humistrata host plants in north-central Florida reveal a close relationship between the milkweed’s phenology and the butterfly’s spring remigration from Mexico. Remigrant adults arrive after most frosts occur and as the milkweeds are flourishing but before the plants begin to senesce. The peak of adult arrival is during the first few days in April; the eggs that are laid during this peak develop through April, leading to a second peak in adult abundance in early May. These newly emerged adults continue the migration northward. In addition to assessing the phenology of annual events, our long-term survey, with regular monitoring from 1994–2017, has enabled us to evaluate long-term trends. Both adults and immatures have declined in abundance from 1985 to 2017; since 2005, both have declined by around 80%. This decline has occurred concurrently with the decline in the number of monarchs at their Mexican overwintering sites.

Help Protect Florida’s Natural Areas from Invasive Plants

This document addresses the pressing issue of invasive plants in Florida's natural areas, threatening native habitats and biodiversity. With over half of Florida's land developed for agriculture or urban use, preserving remaining natural areas is crucial for ecological balance. Invasive plants like Brazilian pepper tree and Australian pine displace native species, disrupt natural processes, and pose economic and environmental risks. Regulations exist to control these plants, but public awareness and action are essential. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and removing invasive plants from private properties to prevent their spread. It advocates for using native plants in landscaping and seeks collaboration among property owners, land managers, and officials to protect Florida's ecosystems. Sharing information and raising awareness are key to effective conservation efforts.