Dr. Eric Rohrig, biological scientist with FDACS-DPI, just replied to my request regarding how to obtain air potato beetles for biological control of air potato. Please see the attached advisory and beetle request form. Please note: “We are currently only taking requests for beetles for public lands such as city, county, state, and federal parks, preserves, forests etc.” I offered to relay his response to the list-serv:
Hi Karen,
That would be great, please do send it out. We want to receive requests for public lands, the more the better. Because there is only my group and Ken Hibbard’s in Ft. Pierce, we cannot be everywhere to determine where the need for beetles are. We must rely on the public letting us know. I would love it if every land manager in the state knew of our program and requested beetles. Our goal is to control air potato throughout all of Florida so it will take a lot of people’s help in order to achieve our goal.
You can send out the request form [attached] as well so they have it when they’re ready to request beetles. They can send as many forms as they like and at any time of the year. They should submit one form for each individual infestation if the infestations are located at different sites.
Thanks for helping us get the word out, [SEE ADDITIONAL NOTE BELOW]
Eric
Eric Rohrig, Ph.D.
Biological Scientist
Methods Development & Biological Control
Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(352) 395-4744
Eric.Rohrig@freshfromflorida.com
1911 SW 34th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
Please note that Florida has a broad public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Most written communications to or from state employees are public records obtainable by the public upon request. Emails sent to me at this email address may be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida.
From: Rohrig, Eric [mailto:Eric.Rohrig@freshfromflorida.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2013 2:59 PM
To: Brown,Karen P
Cc: Hibbard, Ken; Rodrigo Diaz
Subject: air potato beetles
Hi Karen,
The project is a collaborative effort between FDACS-DPI and USDA-ARS-IPRL in Ft. Lauderdale. DPI is responsible for mass rearing and releasing beetles throughout most of Florida. We are currently only taking requests for beetles for public lands such as city, county, state, and federal parks, preserves, forests etc. We will eventually conduct releases in residential areas after we build large beetle populations on public lands. This sites will become saturated with adults which will then disperse into surrounding areas. We will then begin releasing specifically in residential areas.
Attached is the request form used to be put on a list to receive beetles. You may distribute it to anyone who fits the above profile (public and preserved lands). Once we begin the residential phase I will contact all the county extension agents and other personnel to let them know we are taking requests. There is only a small group of us rearing the beetles so people requesting beetles need to be patient. Residential releases may begin in a year or two. The demand for the beetle is extremely high.
If you need anything or have questions feel free to contact me,
Eric
Eric Rohrig, Ph.D.
Biological Scientist
Methods Development & Biological Control
Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(352) 395-4744
Eric.Rohrig@freshfromflorida.com
1911 SW 34th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
Please note that Florida has a broad public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Most written communications to or from state employees are public records obtainable by the public upon request. Emails sent to me at this email address may be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida.
I would like to know if there is any way to get beetles at this time for the common area or greenbelt of a large subdivision in Citrus County. We have a rather large problem with the Florida Air Potato. You can contact me at clm352@yahoo.com
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