Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Environment Publications, May 2011

This email lists new and revised EDIS publications that have been released to the public in May 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

Checklist of Birds of the Everglades Agricultural Area (CIR1444/UW179)

This revised 10-page fact sheet features a checklist of bird species that have been found during eight years of surveys in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Most birds can be associated with a specific habitat such as sugarcane, sod, rice or flooded fields and other agricultural and human-inhabited areas. Written by Elise V. Pearlstine and Frank J. Mazzotti, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw179

Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY131/IN288)

The granulate ambrosia beetle is a minute ambrosia beetle of Asian origin that was first detected near Charleston, South Carolina. It can become abundant in urban, agricultural, and forested areas and has been reported as a pest of nursery stock and young trees in the Old World tropics and of peach trees in South Carolina. It is a potentially serious pest of ornamentals and fruit trees and is reported to be able to infest most trees and some shrubs (azalea), except for conifers. Learn more in this revised 4-page fact sheet was written by Thomas. H. Atkinson, John L. Foltz, Robert C. Wilkinson, and Russell F. Mizell, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in288

Predatory Stink Bug, Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY165/IN322)

Sometimes called the giant strong-nosed stink bug, this very large (20 mm) predatory stink bug occurs in several row crops and preys on other insects, especially lepidopterous larvae. The stages in the life cycle are presented here so that they can be identified in the field. This 3-page fact sheet was written by David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in322

Eye Gnats, Grass Flies, Eye Flies, Fruit Flies Liohippelates spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Chloropidae) (EENY485/IN884)

High concentrations of eye gnats are common in areas that have loose sandy soils, especially in the southern United States, and are a great nuisance to humans and animals in rural towns as well as agricultural, recreational, and tourist areas. While they do not bite, they can transmit several diseases to humans and livestock, including human acute conjunctivitis (pink eye). This 6-page fact sheet focuses broadly on two species that are common in the southeastern region of the United States are L. pusio and L. bishoppi (Sabrosky). Written by Erika Machtinger and Phillip E. Kaufman and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in884

Milkweed Assassin Bug (Suggested Common Name) Zelus longipes Linnaeus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae) (EENY489/IN883)

Commonly called the milkweed assassin bug, because it closely resembles the milkweed bug, it is also known as the longlegged assassin bug and the Zelus assassin bug. Members of the genus Zelus belong to the subfamily Harpactorinae and are diurnal in nature. They are generalist predators feeding on a wide range of soft-bodied prey in garden and fields, such as mosquitoes, flies, earthworms, cucumber beetles, and caterpillars (fall armyworm, rootworm, etc.) Learn more in this 7-page fact sheet written by Megha Kalsi and Dakshina R. Seal, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology Department, February 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in883

Horn Fly Haematobia irritans irritans (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Diptera: Muscidae) (EENY490/IN885)

The horn fly is one of the most economically important pests of cattle worldwide. Just in the United States, hundreds of millions of dollars in losses are attributed to the horn fly annually, while additional millions are spent annually on insecticides to reduce horn fly numbers. Learn more about this pernicious obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite in this 7-page fact sheet, written by Dan Fitzpatrick and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in885

Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY491/IN886)

Ambrosia beetles are wood-degrading insects that live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. Usually we consider ambrosia beetles beneficial because they accelerate the decay of dead trees, which is important for nutrient cycling in healthy forests. However, the redbay ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont transmit the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). They are considered a “very high risk” invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease and much is still unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. This 7-page fact sheet highlights what we do know about this important new pest. Written by Rajinder Mann, Jiri Hulcr, Jorge Peña, and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886

Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) (EENY492/IN887)

Most Drosophila flies are associated with rotten or over-ripened fruits and are nuisance pests. However, a few species such as the spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii (Matsumura), can infest un-ripened fruits and are of economic significance. First detected within the continental United States in August 2008, D. suzukii has become a serious threat to fruit crops. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Rajinder S. Mann and Lukasz L. Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in887

Saw Palmetto Control: Individual Plant and Broadcast Application (SSAGR341/AG351)

Saw palmetto is a shrubby palm species native to Florida and common throughout the state. Despite its beneficial uses, saw palmetto is a serious weed problem in pastures, forests, and non-cropland areas, and control of this common native plant is often necessary. This 4-page fact sheet provides mechanical and chemical control recommendations. Written by Brandon Fast, Jason Ferrell, and Brent Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag351

Biology and Control of Common Ragweed Along Ditch and Canal Banks (SSAGR346/AG356)

Common ragweed is a successful pioneer species widely distributed throughout the continental United States. In cultivated fields it will compete with crops for light, moisture, nutrients, and space and will result in significant yield losses. Additionally, allergenic airborne pollen from common ragweed is a primary cause of hay fever and thus a public health concern. This 3-page fact sheet describes the life cycle of the plant and provides management recommendations. Written by D.C. Odero, B. Sellers, and J. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag356

Getting Involved

Conservation Easements: Options for Preserving Current Land Uses (SSFOR21/FR149)

Many landowners have a strong connection to their land and want to ensure its protection for many generations. Conservation easements can prevent future residential and commercial development of one’s land, and reduce inheritance tax liability for one’s heirs. This 6-page fact sheet will describe conservation easements, what is involved in establishing one, some of the tax implications of such agreements, the government and non-government organizations that commonly participate in conservation easements, and important considerations for landowners before entering into such an agreement. Written by Chris Demers and Douglas R. Carter, and published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr149

Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection (WEC162/UW192)

Today, more than 50 million Americans put out a billion pounds of bird food each year. Bird feeders can be used to supplement the food provided by native plantings. They also provide a way to observe birds at close range. This 8-page fact sheet suggests useful guidelines for selecting feeders, food, feeder location, cleaning feeders, and managing for cats and squirrels. Written by Emma V. Willcox, Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main, and Maena Voigt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw192

Distillation of Essential Oils (WEC310/UW355)

Essential oils are volatile, aromatic oils obtained from plants and used for fragrance, flavoring, and health and beauty applications. Learn about the history of essential oils, plant anatomy, and basics of essential oil distillation in this 4-page fact sheet was written by Elise V. Pearlstine, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw355

Water

Strategies to Address Red Tide Events in Florida: Results of a 2010 Survey of Coastal Residents (FE891)

Residents in coastal communities might oppose programs for preventing, controlling, or mitigating the effects of these harmful algal blooms if they would increase costs to residents or would cause harm to other aspects of the marine environment. This 6-page report presents the results of a survey intended to help summarize public opinion, inform policy makers, and evaluate possible programs for use in Florida. Written by Sherry L. Larkin, Kristen M. Lucas, Charles M. Adams, and John Stevely, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe891

Catch-and-Release: Things You Can Do to Help Saltwater Fish Survive (SGEF168/SG096)

This 2-page guide offers tips on how you can properly handle and release saltwater fish. This also includes new Gulf reef fishing gear requirements implemented June 1, 2008. Written by Steve Kearl and Lee Schlesinger and published by the UF Sea Grant Program, May 2008.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg096

Circle Hooks (SGEF170/SG042)

A circle hook is a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a generally circular or oval shape. The unique shape of the circle hook keeps the hook from catching in the gut cavity or throat, resulting in higher survival rates for released fish. Learn more in this 2-page fact sheet written by Don Sweat and Steve Kearl, and published by the UF Sea Grant Program, June 2008.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg042

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