Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Environment Publications, December 2010 and January 2011

This email lists new and revised EDIS publications that have been released to the public in December 2010 and January 2011. They are now available on the World Wide Web at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. This mailing only includes publications in the Environment program area. Please see separate mailings for publications in other program areas.

Ecosystems & Species

Bats of Florida (WEC186/UW203)

Nocturnal habits, affinity for eerie places, and silent, darting flight have made bats the subjects of a great deal of folklore and superstition through the years. Given their ability to function in the dark when and where humans cannot, it is no wonder that bats have long been associated with the supernatural. Bats remain poorly understood even today. This revised 5-page fact sheet describes the species of bats that occur in Florida and provides simple tips for their identification. It was written by Holly K. Ober, Martin B. Main, and Ginger M. Allen and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw203

The Decline of Florida Torreya: An Endemic Conifer on the Edge of Extinction (FOR276/FR338)

FOR276, a 5-page fact sheet by Jason A. Smith and Aaron Trulock, suggests a new understanding of the cause of decline and discusses current efforts to assess the population and develop a recovery plan. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr338

Effects of Canals and Levees on Everglades Ecosystems (WEC304/UW349)

WEC304, a 20-page illustrated fact sheet by Rebecca G. Harvey, William F. Loftus, Jennifer S. Rehage, and Frank J. Mazzotti, comprehensively portrays the hydrological and ecological effects of canals and levees within the EPA landscape and considers ways their impacts may be mitigated. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw349

Evolution of water quality regulations in the United States and Florida (AE431)

Water is essential to sustain life. Not only do we all need a certain quantity of water each day, but the quality of the available water is also critical. Water quality protection in the United States evolved from initially ensuring navigability of waterways to protecting our natural ecosystems. This 5-page fact sheet provides a background for understanding water quality and how it is evaluated and regulated in the U.S. with particular focus on the state of Florida. Written by Kati W. Migliaccio, Yuncong Li, and Thomas A. Obreza. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae431

Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Arctiinae) (EENY486/IN878)

This 9-page illustrated fact sheet describes this pest whose larvae form large tents in the foliage of many ornamental trees & shrubs, and also agronomic crops — synonymy, distribution, description and life cycle, hosts, economic importance, and management. Includes references. Written by Andrei Sourakov and Thomson Paris, Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology as part of the Featured Creatures collection, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in878

Florida Invader: Cane Toad (WEC300/UW345)

Do you now how to tell the difference between a dangerous Cane Toad (a.k.a. “Bufo” Toad or Marine Toad) and a harmless native toad? This 2-page fact sheet will help you correctly identify and humanely euthanize this invasive toad that can kill pets. It was written by Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw345

Florida Invader: Tegu Lizard (WEC295/UW340)

Sightings of this large black-and-white invasive lizard, established in areas southeast of Tampa and south of Miami, should be reported immediately to 1-888-IveGot1 or www.IveGot1.org. This 2-page fact sheet, written by Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity provides pictures and information to aid identification. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw340

Forest Remnants: Conserving and Observing Bird Diversity in Urban Settings (WEC298/UW343)

WEC298, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Dan Dawson and Mark Hostetler, discusses urban forest remnant design and management as it relates to bird conservation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, September 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw343

Horned passalus, Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Passalidae: Passalinae) (EENY487/IN879)

This 6-page illustrated fact sheet describes the commonly encountered and easily recognizable beetle, also known as the “betsy beetle,” that is a beneficial decomposer of decaying wood or logs. Includes synonymy, distribution, description, life cycle and biology, feeding habitat, sounds, and selected references. Written by Christopher S. Bibbs, Amanda C. Hodges, and Rebecca W. Baldwin, Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology as part of the Featured Creatures collection, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in879

The Insect Community on the Soil Surface (ENY859/IN876)

It’s easy to find and collect insects, related arthropods, and other invertebrates from the soil surface using simple materials that are readily available. This 7-page fact sheet describes several collection methods and introduces common invertebrates that are found on the soil surface in agricultural fields and gardens in Florida. It was written by Harsimran K. Gill, Robert McSorley, and Lyle Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in876

Longleaf Pine Regeneration (SSFOR13/FR064)

SSFOR13, a 8-page fact sheet by Chris Demers, Alan Long and Patrick Minogue, provides landowners with long-term, multiple-use resource management objectives with strategies for artificial and natural regeneration of this insect-, disease- and fire-resistant species. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr064

Oak Wilt: A Potential Future Threat to Oaks in Florida (FOR274/FR336)

FOR274, a 5-page fact sheet by Kelly Peacock and Jason Smith, provides information on the diagnosis, biology, and management of the disease and should provide guidance for future efforts to identify and manage oak wilt in the state of Florida. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr336

Parasitoids of Dipteran leafminers, Diglyphus spp. (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (EENY484/IN877)

This 3-page illustrated fact sheet describes these promising biological control agents for agromyzid leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) — distribution, description, hosts, and economic importance. Includes references. Written by Jian Li and Dakshina R. Seal, Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology as part of the Featured Creatures Collection, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in877

Sharks for the Aquarium and Considerations for Their Selection (FA179)

Sharks are magnificent animals and an exciting group of fishes. And they are becoming increasingly popular as pet animals. The proper care and display of sharks requires great attention to details. This 8-page fact sheet provides critical points aquarists must consider in deciding whether or not to include sharks in their aquaria. A table of the most popular sharks kept in public and home aquariums is provided to facilitate species selection. Written by Alexis L. Morris, Elisa J. Livengood, and Frank A. Chapman, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa179

Quick Reference Guide: Introduced Constrictors in Florida (WEC302/UW347)

WEC302, a 2-page fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGarrity, is a quick reference guide to identification of the constrictors one is most likely to encounter in Florida. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw347

Understanding Soil Phosphorus Storage Capacity (SL336/SS541)

SL336, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Vimala D. Nair, Willie G. Harris, Debolina Chakraborty, and Myrlène Chrysostome, presents an approach to assessing sandy soil phosphorus (P) assimilation capacity prior to reaching a threshold of environmental concern. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss541

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Extension Programs and Faculty (WEC299/UW344)

WEC299, a 4-page fact sheet by William Giuliano and Emma Willcox, Describes the department’s extension programs and provides a directory of extension faculty. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw344

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