Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Environment Publications, October 2012

Environment
Ecosystems & Species
	*Tobacco Budworm, Heliothis virescens* (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (EENY219/IN376)** The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), is a native species and is found throughout the eastern and southwestern United States. It is principally a field crop pest, attacking such crops as alfalfa, clover, cotton, flax, soybean, and tobacco. Larvae bore into buds and blossoms (the basis for the common name of this insect), and sometimes the tender terminal foliar growth, leaf petioles, and stalks. This 6-page fact sheet was written by J. L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in376
	*Alligatorweed flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila* Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Halticinae) (EENY462/IN831)** Alligatorweed is an aquatic weed native to South America that began threatening Florida's waterways in the early 1900s. Alligatorweed flea beetles kill the plant by destroying its stored food and interfering with photosynthesis by removing leaf tissue. This insect has been an extremely effective biological control agent in coastal regions of the southeastern United States. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ted D. Center, James P. Cuda, Michael J. Grodowitz, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in831
	*Black-tailed Mosquito Culiseta melanura* (Coquillett) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) (EENY536/IN950)** The black-tailed mosquito is unusual because it overwinters as larvae while most mosquito species overwinter as either adults or eggs. Culiseta melanura is important because of its role in the transmission cycle of eastern equine encephalitis virus and potentially West Nile virus: because adult female Culiseta melanura primarily take their blood meals from birds, they are responsible for transmitting eastern equine encephalitis virus between birds. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Eva Buckner, Angelique Showman, and C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in950
	*Florida Scorpionfly, Panorpa floridana* Byers (Insecta: Mecoptera: Panorpidae) (EENY538/IN949)** Have you seen this insect? No living individuals of Panorpa floridana ever have been observed. Knowledge of this species of scorpionfly is limited to five specimens from Alachua and Clay counties in northern peninsular Florida, the last one collected in 1982. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Louis A. Somma and James C. Dunford, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in949
	Florida Bears and Beekeeping (ENY105/AA133) The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is a minor predator of beehives in Florida with the potential to cause major destruction. Large-scale urban and agricultural development inexorably reduces prime bear habitat each year. This habitat also contains excellent bee forage, and so bears and bees will sometimes come in contact, thus resulting in bear predation. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Malcolm T. Sanford and James D. Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa133
	Forest Management in the Interface: Reducing Fire Risk (FOR179/FR249) Wildfire is one of the most serious and publicized challenges facing interface forest management. Wildfires can change forest vegetation, affect human health, and cause millions of dollars' worth of damage to homes, businesses, timber, and tourism. This 5-page fact sheet outlines tips for the firewise community development, design of structures, landscaping and fuel reduction. Written by Bruce Hull, Sarah F. Ashton, Rien M. Visser, and Martha C. Monroe, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr249
	**Casuarina equisetifolia, Australian Pine (FOR298/FR366)** Australian pine was originally planted in Florida in the late 1800′s as a windbreak and for shade. But soon thereafter it was spreading without help from humans. Today it is considered a category I invasive species in Florida, and the Division of Plant Industry strictly prohibits possessing, transporting, and cultivating this species. For those who find this tree in close proximity to their home, it's a good idea to replace it since Australian pine is known to have a very low resistance to wind. Australian pine is commonly found growing on coastal shorelines since it thrives in salty, sandy environments. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, and Robert J. Northrop, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr366
	**Hippomane mancinella, Manchineel (FOR302/FR370)** This poisonous tree is native to southern Florida, the Keys, many of the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Central America. Though it is poisonous to humans and many animals, iguanas are eat the fruit and sometimes live among the tree's limbs. It's found along the seacoasts and in brackish swamps where it grows among mangroves. Each leaf has a small gland where the leaf joins the stem. The bark is reddish-to-grayish brown and cracked looking. Flowers inconspicuous, but the spikes or leafless stems that the flowers emerge from are visible. The fruit is bright-green and looks like a small apple. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Michael G. Andreu and Melissa H. Friedman, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr370
	Effects of Climate Change on the Eutrophication of Lakes and Estuaries (SGEF189/SG127) Recent research suggests that climate change will reinforce the negative consequences of man-made eutrophication and make it more difficult to improve water quality in lakes and estuaries. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Karl Havens, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, September 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg127
	Florida Reclaimed Phosphate Mine Soils: Characteristics, Potential Uses, and Management Considerations (SL370/SS571) A critical nutrient for plant growth, phosphate helps sustain the world's growing population. In 2010, seven mines in Florida produced approximately 10% of the world's phosphate supply and more than 65% of the phosphate for the United States. But each year in Florida thousands of acres disturbed by strip-mining for phosphate rock must be reclaimed for other productive uses. This 11-page fact sheet provides a general characterization of the various soil types resulting from phosphate mine reclamation. Written by M. Wilson and E.A. Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss571
	Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Land Ecosystems (SL373/SS574) Native and improved pastures play an important role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Because of the relatively high sequestration rates and extensive area, grazing land represents an important component of terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) offset and is a significant sink for long-term carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. This 4-page fact sheet contains information for stakeholders, students, scientists, and environmental agencies interested in enhancing ecosystems services provided by grazing lands. Written by Maria Silveira, Ed Hanlon, Mariana Azenha, and Hiran M. da Silva, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss574
Recreation
	The Economic Impact of the 2011 Florida BASS Federation Tournament to Osceola County and the Event's Economic Value to Participants (FE916) The Florida BASS Federation Nation is a chapter of a national organization whose goal is to stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major participant sport. Each the state Championship tournament attracts anglers to a competitive event in which participants seek to catch the largest cumulative weight of bass over two days. This article describes an assessment of the economic impact in Osceola County associated with the State Championship tournament. Findings from this analysis should help planners and other stakeholders of similar tournaments better estimate the economic benefits associated with such community activities. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Sherry Larkin, Jessica Georges, Alan Hodges, Michael Allen, and Dale Jones, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe916