Giant African Land Snail by the Numbers

Giant African land snail

Date the giant African land snail was discovered in Miami: September 8, 2011

Number of agricultural crops known to be consumed by the snail: 500

Maximum size attained by the species: 8” x 4.5”

Maximum years in life span of individuals: Nine

Number of eggs an adult can lay in one year: 1,200

Snails found since September 11, 2011: 37,000+

Number of core areas where the snail has been found in Miami-Dade County: 14

Number of properties on which snails have been found: 247

Properties within ½ mile arc of positive properties: 23,383

Number of years it took to eradicate the snail after it was found in Florida in 1966: Nine +

Total number of snails collected in the 1966-1975 eradication program: 17,000

Cost of that eradication (in 1960s dollars): $1 million

Number of successful GALS eradication programs on record: One

Number of the Division of Plant Industry toll-free helpline: 1-888-397-1517

Fresh from Florida, Fresh from You on Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and if you’re anything like the rest of America, you’re probably scrambling for some last minute gift ideas – I know I am. So let me take a moment and enlighten you on a few Florida-inspired things that will show just how much you care.

The top three Valentine’s Gifts are usually sweets, flowers and cards – often accompanied by dinner at a restaurant. These things are great and there’s no sense in breaking tradition, but there is good chance that the stores are going to be very picked-over at this point and with no reservations, you’ll have to wait an hour and a half at a restaurant. Avoid bringing home the broken candy bar and wilted posies – lets mix things up a bit using Fresh from Florida products.

“Forget love – I’d rather fall in chocolate!” 

- Sandra J. Dykes

Chocolate – The perfect treat for men and women alike. Now when most of us give our loved ones chocolate, we just run to Walmart or Target and pick up a bag of Hershey’s Treasures, right? But this Valentine’s Day, go the extra mile and try making a sweet treat for your sweetie. You can even try making it together. I promise that all of these recipes are easy – and the best part – they ALL use Fresh from Florida products! 

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries – These are easy to make and fun to decorate!
• Florida Honey Chocolate Bars – No baking, only five ingredients, super easy!
• Strawberry Valentine Pie – Complete with meringue and grated chocolate. Scrumptious!
• Blueberry Shortcakes – One of Chef Justin’s finest recipes for those who don’t prefer chocolate and it bakes in just 12-15 minutes!

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.” 

- Jim Carrey

Flowers – This is the sure key to my heart. However, I always hate to toss the flowers after they’ve wilted. The solution: Potted flowers. Buy your other half flowers that they can not only enjoy during Valentine’s Day, but some that they can enjoy all year round. People who aren’t so skilled with a garden rake can leave the flowers in their pots. Professional green thumbs can transplant them wherever they like. This is something that I do for my mom every year because she is an avid gardener and Valentine’s Day is somewhat of a gateway into Spring. Flowers get her excited for the warm weather that is (hopefully) on the way!

Remember to check regularly for plant industry updates on the pests and diseases of Florida’s plants from DPI, here at our website. For example, impatiens have recently been battling the downy mildew disease, which has the potential to spread quickly and result in rapid destruction of this very popular bedding and pot plant. It’s very important to only purchase plants from registered nurseries to ensure the health of the plants your placing at your home.

“Roses are red, violets are blue, honey is sweet and so are you.”

Cards – Valentine’s Day cards are so much more meaningful when they are from the heart. Rather than paying $5 for a card that millions of other people are giving their loved one, why not make one? Now you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to pull this off – I promise. Here are a few really simple options. The easiest option is a photo card. Print out your favorite photo of you and your Valentine and write a simple message on the back. You can even get a little wild and frame it, if you have time. This is a quick and easy way to show someone that you love them. And, rather than throwing away a typical Hallmark card, they can display their photo proudly at home or in the office. But what is more romantic than a love letter? Write your Valentine a letter to show just how much you care. Or, if you’re a bit more brave and incredibly romantic, make your Valentine an audio CD or a video of you expressing your love. Include a few of “your” songs to make it extra special.

I hope your Valentine’s Day is the best yet. If you decide to avoid the crowds and stay home tomorrow, here are some recipes for cooking dinner with the one you love using Fresh from Florida products. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Super Bowl XLVI: Feast Like A Giant (or a Patriot)

Well its countdown to kickoff for football fans across the nation who are highly anticipating one of the single most watched events on television: the Super Bowl. Last year, 111 million viewers tuned into the show down, up from 2010’s 106.5 million. Whether you’re a diehard NFL fan, a commercial enthusiast, or you just got stuck watching it because your significant other’s hand is fused to the remote, make this year’s Super Bowl one to remember. You ask, how can I do that? With excellent food of course!

Fans are pulling out all the stops to create a winning spread at their Super Bowl parties which will curb any appetite – giant or not! Here at DPI, we are preparing for our own Superbowl celebrations and our secret ingredient to accomplish this task – Florida avocado.

Let’s get this party started with some savory dip featuring our secret ingredient! But surprise – this is not guacamole. We are serving up a heaping helping of Florida Avocado Dip! This treat will turn a stuffy shindig into a feisty fiesta! You can serve traditional tortilla chips, or my personal favorite, black bean chips, to scoop this scrumptious spread. Bet you can’t eat just one.

This next treat will make your mouth water. Crunchy, salty, savory – there definitely won’t be any leftovers tonight. These Chicken Avocado Egg Rolls will keep your guests coming back for more. Guy Fieri’s famous recipe puts an American spin on a traditionally Asian cuisine – how Patriotic (wink wink). This recipe, which makes about 12 egg rolls, takes a little time so have fun with it! You can dip the eggrolls in sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce, or just savor the flavors of the eggroll alone.

Avocado Truffles - Photo belongs to whatscookingamerica.net

For those lovely ladies reading this blog or for those men who also adore a bit of something sweet, this treat is sure to win your approval: Avocado Chocolate Truffle. These bite-size morsels are rich with chocolate but are packed with the nutritional value of Florida grown avocados. A coat of powdered sugar to top them off and your guests will be sneaking these bad boys left and right!

Here is how you make delicious guacamole with Fresh from Florida avocados. And don’t forget Avocado Spinach Dip and Potato Skins with Guac. Yummy! They all sound delicious, right?

Unfortunately, avocado growers are on the defense, attempting to protect this Florida commodity from a harmful disease which is threatening avocado trees across the state: Laurel wilt. This disease is caused by a fungus that infects the sapwood of host trees, restricting the flow of water, causing the leaves to wilt and the trees to die. The fungus is carried into trees by the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle, which was first detected in the U.S. near Savannah, Georgia in 2002 and subsequently found in Duval County, Florida in 2005. The redbay ambrosia beetle usually attack stressed, dead or dying woody plants. However, some will attack seemingly healthy trees and shrubs as well. Laurel wilt not only affects avocados, but also affects the redbay, sassafrass and other trees in the laurel family. This disease can also be spread by moving trees which host the redbay ambrosia beetle. When camping or building a bonfire, don’t move firewood. Purchase local firewood only and burn it all on-site.

This small, elongate, cylindrical beetle is only about 2 mm in length but has the potential to cause significant damage to the Florida avocado industry. Florida avocado production is a significant component to Florida’s agricultural economy, ranking second only to citrus production according to UF-IFAS. The Florida avocado industry wholesale market is worth upwards of $30 million per year. But considering the fact that 85 percent of the crop is sold outside of the state, avocado production brings in a substantial amount of “new dollars” to the state, resulting in an overall economic impact of approximately $54 million per annum, according to UF-IFAS. Click here for UF-IFAS’s article detailing the economics of avocado production.

FDACS-DPI works hard to protect the 7,400 acres of avocados in the state of Florida. The Save the Guac program was launched to educate consumers about this plant disease, laurel wilt, and its potentially devastating effect on Florida avocados. To help spread the word, get your very own Save the Guac bumper sticker from DPI right here! Or, watch and share this video about laurel wilt in Florida.

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday with some Fresh from Florida avocado treats and remember, Save the Guac and Don’t Move Firewood!

The Princes’ New Virtual Palace

Coconut Palm, Cocos nucifera

Princes of the plant world have a new home…the internet!

Palms, previously referred to as “princes of the plant world” by Linnaeus, are an integral part of human culture and Florida’s ecosystem, and have been a viable food source throughout history. DPI’s own, Patti Anderson, was part of a team that developed a new website devoted to protecting this most recognizable plant group.

This all-encompassing website is called A Resource for Pests and Diseases of Cultivated Palms.

A Resource for Pests and Diseases of Cultivated was created for non-experts working in agriculture and plant sciences, especially identifiers and other staff within Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS), National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), and other national, regional, and state agricultural agencies/organizations with responsibilities associated with pest and disease survey and detection. However, the site’s easy-to-use design makes this tool applicable to anyone with an interest in palms.

This palm identification tool within Resource has anything and everything that you need to know to identify 82 palm species commonly cultivated in the US and the Caribbean. This identification is an important component for pest and disease identification, DPI’s specialty. Other tools within the Resource are easy to use, enabling more people to be on the lookout for invasive pests and diseases and protect Florida’s natural resources.

Information about Florida’s official state tree, the Sabal Palm, or any of its close relatives native to Florida, can be found on the site. Utilize the ’Key’ tool to search for a specific palm based on its features, such as the stem, leaves, inflorescence, or fruit color. If you aren’t familiar with using this type of key, there is a ‘How to Use’ section under the ‘About’ tab that lays out the software requirements, features and great navigational tips.

The Resource has many other tools to offer as well. Search for interesting facts by scientific name under the ‘List of Fact Sheets’ tab. If you are having trouble understanding the terminology throughout the website, visit the ‘Glossary’ section for definitions from abaxial to waxy bloom. The morphology section uses illustrations to showcase the form and structure of various palms.

Take a moment and learn a little bit about a plant group that’s right at home in the Sunshine State. Visit this informative site, identify some palms in your backyard and tell us what you think!

“We’ve got an app for that!”

DPI’s plant guru, Dr. Patti Anderson, recently contributed to the development of a free app available in iTunes. Anderson provided photographs of various plant species and a plethora of botanical information for the app called Nature Viewing Along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Viewing Trail. This is a perfect gadget for the nature-loving Florida resident or visitor interested in learning about the Sunshine State’s diverse wildlife.

With this app, users can identify plants and animals along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Viewing Trail, which is a 2,000 mile self-guided highway trail that connects nearly 500 birding and wildlife viewing sites throughout Florida. Whether you’re interested in black-eyed susans, hairy woodpeckers or swallowtail butterflies, this app helps its users easily identify Florida species by selecting basic characteristics, like color, size and shape. Once you identify the species that you are viewing, the app offers further information about it, like host plants for the butterflies, and invasive plants that are threatening Florida native species. And if you’re a visitor traveling through Florida and are searching for a wildlife trail, the app has a tool which can locate the birding and wildlife viewing trail nearest you.

Here are a few special features:

• Search for 200 birds by name, or filter by color, size, shape and season.
• Search for 106 butterflies by name, or filter by color, size and family. Compare to similar species and learn about their larval host plants.
• Search for 247 flowering plants by name, or filter by color, size, flower type, flower arrangement and plant form. Learn about some of Florida’s most notorious invasive plants.
• Access a list of the 491 sites along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Viewing Trail; search nearby sites by current location or any city in Florida. Find the sites on a map.
• Learn about Florida’s unique habitats and current conservation concerns.
• Bookmark favorite species and sites.

This Nature Viewing application was developed by the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with support from grants from the Florida Wildflower Foundation and Florida Museum Associates. The app has already received excellent customer reviews and five star ratings. Try it out and let us know what you think!

DPI’s 12 Days of Christmas

When you’re traveling to visit your loved ones this holiday season, remember to not pack a pest! Sneaky creatures may slip into your luggage by clinging onto agricultural products. Make sure this doesn’t happen by leaving all plants and plant material behind – including firewood. Enjoy this little jingle that highlights twelve days of “gifts” that holiday travelers often unknowingly bring DPI and Florida’s natural resources. Be sure to follow the links to learn more about the invasive pests and diseases that DPI works hard to detect and intercept.

On the first day of Christmas travelers brought to me

An aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the second day of Christmas travelers brought to me    

Two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the third day of Christmas travelers brought to me 

Three exotic beetles,two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas travelers brought to me

Five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles,two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Eight stink bugs stinking, seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas travelers brought to me  

Nine widows weaving, eight stink bugs stinking, seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Ten fruit flies flying, nine widows weaving, eight stink bugs stinking, seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Eleven beetles boring, ten fruit flies flying, nine widows weaving, eight stink bugs stinking, seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas travelers brought to me   

Twelve citrus psyllids,eleven beetles boring, ten fruit flies flying, nine widows weaving, eight stink bugs stinking, seven vines-a-creeping, six bees-a-buzzing, five giant snails, four giant whiteflies, three exotic beetles, two spider mites and an aphid for my Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Don’t pack a pest!

 

 

The Christmas Bug

It’s December 8th – 8 days into the most joyous month of the year! Have you been bitten by the Christmas bug yet?

You know what I mean – have you began the baking, decorating and humming along with all of those Christmas classics? If not, boys and girls, it is time.

Today, I’m going to give you a few baking, decorating and entertaining tips to get you well on your way. All the while, I’ll be using fresh Florida products! You can find all of these things in your own backyard, grocery store, or farmer’s market. Remember to support Florida agriculture during this holiday season. 

Eat, drink and be merry

Florida Crab Cakes with Avocado Butter

Crab, avocado and butter – how can you go wrong with this combination? These crab cakes would be the perfect appetizers at your holiday gathering. Just form into small patties and serve on small, appetizer plates. These could even be prepared as bite-size hors d’oeuvre for a larger crowd. Be sure to use Fresh from Florida Gulf Crab and Florida-grown avocados.  

Photo of Florida Citrus Meringue Pie by Taste of Home

Honey Brined Smoked Turkey

Now we’re moving into the main course. So we’ve all had honey baked ham and smoked turkey – but what about honey smoked turkey? Now there’s a combination to wow your guests. Use Florida honey to ensure perfection for this delectable dish. This bird takes about four and a half hours to prepare so plan accordingly.

Florida Citrus Meringue Pie

My favorite – dessert. At your holiday festivities, surprise your guests with this perfect balance of sweetness and tart! This pie includes Florida oranges and lemons to create a delectable treat which screams, “Fresh from Florida!” But, you may want to add 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar to the meringue to ensure that it doesn’t come out flat.

Tinsel & such

Here are a few simple ideas to try when decorating your home for the holidays! Use natural items from outside your home, like leaves, moss and pinecones, to give your home a Christmassy feel. See how!

Photo by: Ralph Anderson

Citrus Ornaments

Check out this spin on traditional holiday ornaments. If you grew up on or near a citrus grove, or are simply a citrus lover, this is a must-try. All that’s needed is a few oranges, a little glitter, and some fishing line, to create a warm glow on your Christmas tree. Fresh Florida citrus can also a beautiful component of holiday centerpieces.

Magnolia Wreath

Have a magnolia in your backyard? Scoop up some leaves and use them to create a beautiful wreath which will make your home inviting during this holiday season. This DIY craft is incredibly easy and affordable! You only need three things: florist foam wreath, magnolia leaves, and a red bow or ribbon.

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree    

Fire – What better way to warm up your holiday gathering than with a fire. Whether inside or out, a fire will add a bit of warmth and coziness to your home. Be sure to only burn local firewood. Moving firewood across national, state and even county borders can result in the spread of invasive pests and diseases. When buying firewood, make sure you receive pieces that are dry and have either little bark or bark that is loose (a sign that the wood is very dry). Not only will this reduce the threat of spreading diseases, your fire will be easier to start. For more information about firewood regulations, visit our website.

Fabric-covered pinecone ornament

Ornament Exchange – Rather than a gift exchange, why not have an ornament exchange? This would be a more economically feasible option and would be a perfect opportunity to utilize fresh Florida products. Here are a couple of cute ideas with pinecones that you can gather in your backyard:

-          Fabric fashioned

-          Simply snowy

So go ahead and let that Christmas bug nibble at ya! It’s that time of year! I sure hope these tips help you dive headfirst into your holiday festivities. And if you are traveling to someone else’s home, remember to not pack a pest. Transferring agricultural items, such as plant material, across state and national borders, can spread invasive pests and diseases as well.

 Merry Christmas!

 

 

Bee Thankful: Green Lacewings

It’s finally here: Thanksgiving, a day of full bellies and thankful hearts. In fact, I’m sure many of you are basting turkeys and filling pies already. And so comes the final component of Bee Thankful, DPI’s special blog series about the beneficial insects that we Floridians often take for granted.

Today’s subject is very peculiar. In fact, most of you are probably not even familiar with its existence. This beneficial beauty is called the green lacewing.

Green lacewings are common insects found on grass, weeds, cultivated row crops and shrubs throughout North America. These insects are ¾ inch long and have delicate, light green bodies and large, clear wings. Their eyes are significant, and usually gold or copper in color. Their larvae are small, grayish brown, and elongate with pincer-like mandibles.

But what do these tiny, green insects do for you?

Green lacewings are also known as “Aphid Lions.” This nickname arose from their distinctive appetite for soft-bodied insects, mites, insect eggs and you guessed it – aphids. This makes them incredibly useful in the biological control of these pests. Aphids, also known as plant lice, suck the sap out of plant shoots and leaves and inject their own saliva. This weakens the plants, prohibits growth, causes the leaves to wilt, and delays fruit or flower production. And the worst part, aphids spread diseases from plant to plant as they drink the sap. This pest can have a devastating impact on Florida citrus, watermelons and many other Florida cash crops. Green lacewings are so beneficial to our natural resources, they are marketed and sold to gardeners and other green thumbs who are protecting their crops from pesky pests.

No pesticides needed to control these bad guys. Green lacewings to the rescue!

Bee Thankful: Praising Parasitic Wasps

We’ve all done it – ran furiously from a gang of wasps with their stingers aimed and ready. As a child, I probably spent hours running from these stinging creatures. More prevalent and fearless than bees, wasps seem to be around every corner – lying on the top of the pool, buzzing around the flowers, sipping on my glass of sweet tea. But should we fear all wasps?

Parasitic wasps are the subject of this third component of Bee Thankful. These wasps are beneficial to agriculture and the environment because they help control the spread of harmful insects in the US. DPI uses parasitic wasps in several of their biological control operations to contain insects which spread harmful diseases throughout the plant industry. Some species feed and pupate inside their host insect, killing it and allowing another parasitic wasp to emerge from the host’s body. Other species may live on the outside of their host insect where they construct numerous small, white cocoons attaching to the body of the host, according to UF/IFAS.

There are about 16,000 species of parasitic wasps in North America. These insects are tiny, often entirely invisible to the naked eye. Most are less than 1/8 inch long – definitely not the same wasp that chased me as a child. Follow along to learn how these tiny insects help preserve Florida agriculture.

Bio-Control of Pink Hibiscus Mealybug

DPI is currently participating in a biological control program to help control the spread of pink hibiscus mealybug, an invasive insect species. Pink hibiscus mealybug, or PHM, poses a serious economic threat to the agriculture and nursery industry, in addition to residential plantings or landscapes as it attacks more than 200 species of plants.  These plant species include fruit trees, vegetables, ornamentals and forest trees. PHM is the only mealybug species to have a worldwide distribution, spanning over 52 countries and islands including the United States. This program is designed to mass produce the natural enemies of the pink hibiscus mealybug and use these natural enemies to help control the spread of PHM. Two species of parasitic wasps, along with a predatory beetle species, are the three natural enemies which DPI is working with. The two species of wasps, Anagyrus kamali and Gyranusoidia indica, are small and stingless, they use PHM as a host to complete their life cycle. This process helps control the spread of PHM while remaining harmless to people, plants and other animals.

Bio-Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid

DPI is also using parasitic wasps to help control the Asian citrus psyllid which is of the most prominent vectors of citrus greening. Citrus greening, or Huanglongbing, was found in Florida in 2005. But the Asian citrus psyllid was discovered by the Division personnel at Boynton Beach, Florida in 1998 – several years prior to the introduction of citrus greening. When greening became a significant issue impacting the Florida citrus industry, DPI and UF/IFAS partnered to eradicate the problem. DPI and UF/IFAS introduced two parasitic wasps to control the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid: Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis and Tamarixia radiata. When citrus greening was at its peak in 2006, UF professor of entomology and biological control expert Marjorie Hoy said that one of the wasps, Tamarixia radiate, was reducing the Asian citrus psyllid population by as much as 80 percent in some locations. The citrus industry in the state of Florida is a significant component of the state’s economy and provides countless jobs. In fact, in 2007-2008, Florida accounted for 70 percent of total U.S. citrus production. Protecting the citrus industry is vital in Florida.

This month, remember to Bee Thankful for all the beneficial insects in Florida. They help protect Florida agriculture!

Bee Thankful: Apiary Appreciation

 “That buzzing-noise means something. If there’s a buzzing noise, somebody’s making a buzzing-noise. And the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you’re a bee. And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey. And the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.”

– Winnie the Pooh

 If anyone in this world has a true appreciation for honeybees and the work that they do, it is Winnie the Pooh. However, Pooh’s appreciation for bees didn’t stretch beyond honey – and they do far more than just that. This installment of our Bee Thankful series is focusing on the apiary industry.

 Although honey has a net worth of $15 to $20 million in Florida, the honey bees’ economic benefits far exceed this delectable treat. Honeybees are essential to agriculture across the world. For every dollar of honey produced in Florida, approximately $150 is generated in bee pollination services. Pollination is the transfer of pollen between plants, enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction. For more information about the pollination process, click here. Without honey bee pollination, the food we eat could decrease by one-third.

With honeybee populations dwindling each year, agriculturists began working to protect these vital members of our food web. The Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services established an apiary inspection program in 1923 within the Division of Plant Industry. Florida has approximately 2,100 registered beekeepers and over 300,000 managed honeybee colonies. Beekeepers raise the honeybees and contract them out to growers for pollination purposes. Florida honeybees are used throughout the nation to pollinate agricultural crops.

The inspectors within DPI protect the apiary industry by:

• Advising Florida beekeepers on the identification and treatment of honey bee pests and diseases
• Certifying honey bees for shipment to other states for use in honey production and pollination
• Maintaining 500 bait traps around the state
• Monitoring Florida ports, the interstate highway system and other vulnerable areas to identify unusual activity that might indicate the introduction or spread of unwanted honey bee species 

Researchers at DPI work hard to protect the honey bees of the Sunshine State as they are an integral component of our economy, environment and food supply. Learn more about honey bees, the apiary industry in Florida and DPI at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/.

Got a rumbly in your tumbly?

Seventeen million pounds of honey are produced in Florida each year and enjoyed around the world. If you’ve got a rumbly in your tumbly, or a hankering for a small smackerel, here are a couple recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth – and just in time for the holidays!

Candied Butternut Squash with Cinnamon and Honey - I made this myself a few days ago and it was excellent! We had a bit left over, so I decided to use it to make pancakes the next morning. I mashed up the leftover candied squash, added a little Bisquick and milk, and fried it in the pan just as you would a pancake. It was delectable!

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, quartered lengthwise
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Scoop seeds out of butternut squash. Arrange butternut squash pieces, cut-side down, in a large baking dish. Pour hot water in the baking dish to a depth of about 1/4-inch. Bake butternut squash at 350° for 50 to 60 minutes, or until tender. Cool squash; peel.

Cut squash into 1/2-inch slices and place in a 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Pour butter and honey over squash, then sprinkle with pecans and cinnamon. Return to oven and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until butternut squash is glazed and hot.

Honey Pumpkin Pie – This recipe is the perfect twist on this Thanksgiving favorite!

Photo by: Taste of Home

Ingredients

• Pastry for a double-crust pie
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 eggs
• 1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry. Trim and flute edges; set aside. In a bowl, combine the pumpkin, honey, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Add the eggs, evaporated milk and milk. Pour into crust. Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 375° for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

From the remaining pastry, cut out three 3-in. leaves and three 5-in. x 1/2-in. strips. Using a sharp knife, cut veins in leaves. Wrap each strip of dough around the handle of a wooden spoon; place spoons upside down on a baking sheet. Place leaves, vein side up, on the rounded side of spoons. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Arrange decorations on cooled pie. Yield: 6-8 servings.

 Let us know how you enjoy these yummy recipes! The first one was a hit at my house – I’ll be trying the second very, very soon.

 Silly old bear – honeybees provide so much more than just honey. Take a moment to show a little apiary appreciation and have a wonderful Veteran’s Day weekend!