Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Environment Publications, August 2014

Environment
Ecosystems and Species
	Hydrilla Integrated Management The focus of the book is on hydrilla management in Florida, although the described tactics are known and used in many of the 28 states in the United States with hydrilla infestations. Divided in seven chapters, the book guides the reader through a general introduction to the problems associated with hydrilla; identification of the plant; instructions for early detection of infestations including federal and state laws and regulations; detailed descriptions of available control tactics; proposals for integrated management plans; descriptions of insects and fish associated with hydrilla; and supplementary information including contacts for assistance when readers encounter infestations. This 144-page book was written by Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Verena-Ulrike Lietze, and Emma N.I. Weeks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1044
	*Hydrellia fly parasitic wasp Trichopria columbiana* Ashmead (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae)** Trichopria columbiana is a parasitoid of Hydrellia fly species. Depending on the ecological role of the host species, it can have a positive or negative effect on biological control. Some Hydrellia species feed on the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla. After its introduction into the U.S. by the aquarium industry in the 1950s (Langeland 1996), various control methods, including biological control, were developed and used to manage infestations. Classical biological control studies were initiated in the 1970s, which led to the release of four insects in the U.S., two of which were the leaf-mining ephydrid flies, Hydrellia pakistanae and Hydrellia balciunasi. Despite successful establishment and range expansion of the Asian hydrilla leaf mining fly, Hydrellia pakistanae, population levels of the insect and associated plant damage have remained low. One of the potentially limiting biotic factors is parasitism by the native endoparasitic wasp Trichopria columbiana. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Byron R. Coon, Nathan E. Harms, Michael J. Grodowitz, Emma N.I. Weeks, and James P. Cuda, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1040
	*Hydrilla tuber weevil Bagous affinis* Hustache (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)** Bagous affinis Hustache is a semi-aquatic weevil that feeds on the aquatic invasive plant Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. The larvae of the weevil mine hydrilla tubers, and the adults feed on the submerged stems and leaves. The weevil was discovered during surveys for biological control agents for hydrilla in Pakistan in 1980 and was first introduced to the U.S. in Florida from India in 1987. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Emma Weeks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1039
	*Grass Carp, the White Amur: Ctenopharyngodon idella* Cuvier and Valenciennes (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae: Squaliobarbinae)** The grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Cuvier and Valenciennes, was imported to the U.S. in 1963 as a biological control agent for hydrilla (Hydrilla verticilliata (L.f.) Royle) and other aquatic plants. Concerns of escape and reproduction, and the potential impacts that colonization of the fish could have on native flora and fauna led to research that developed a non-reproductive fish, which was equally effective in controlling hydrilla. In the warm waters of Florida, with abundant food, grass carp grow quickly at around 2 lbs/month or 0.91 kg/month and may achieve weights of 97 lbs (44 kg). Younger fish and female fish grow faster than older or male fish. Grass carp are the most effective biological control tool that has been identified for hydrilla. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Emma N.I. Weeks and Jeffrey E. Hill, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1038
	*Hydrilla Stem Weevil Bagous Hydrillae* O’Brien** Bagous hydrillae O’Brien is a semi-aquatic weevil that feeds on the aquatic invasive weed Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. Larvae of the weevil mine hydrilla stems and the adults feed on the stems and submerged leaves. This weevil was discovered during overseas surveys for biological control agents for hydrilla during the 1980s and was first introduced to the U.S. in Florida in 1991 after extensive host-specificity testing. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Emma Weeks, Jim Cuda, and Michael J. Grodowitz, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1036
	*Hydrilla leaf mining flies (unofficial common name) Hydrellia* spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Ephydridae)** Several native and introduced species of flies in the genus Hydrellia are important because they feed on hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle), an invasive aquatic plant that has been classified as a Federal Noxious Weed. Hydrilla has invaded aquatic ecosystems in Florida and across the U.S. Larvae of Hydrellia spp. mine the leaves of hydrilla. In Florida, there are four species that have been associated with the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla: two native species and two species that were introduced for biological control of hydrilla. The native species are Hydrellia bilobifera Cresson and Hydrellia discursa Deonier. The introduced species are Hydrellia pakistanae Deonier and Hydrellia balciunasi Bock. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Emma Weeks and James Cuda, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1034
	A Beginner's Guide to Water Management: Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakes This circular represents a summary of current knowledge on aquatic plants and aquatic plant management strategies, highlighting the Florida situation. The major focus of this circular is the management of aquatic plants as opposed to dealing with nutrients, algae, or water clarity. Included are sections on aquatic plant biology, aquatic plant management problems, and aquatic plant management techniques. This 43-page guide was written by Florida LAKEWATCH; reviewed by Mark Hoyer, and published by the UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, June 2014. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa163