“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!

Bee Thankful: Love for the Lady Beetle

The Legend of the Ladybug

During the Middle Ages in Europe, insects were massively destroying field crops.  In hopes of resolve, the farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary.  Following their prayers, ladybugs arrived, feeding on the plant pests that were devouring the farmers’ crops.  The farmers called them “The Beetles of Our Lady” in reference to the Virgin Mary. They eventually became known as lady beetles, and lady bugs in America.  The red wings were said to represent the Virgin’s cloak and the black spots were symbolic of both her joys and her sorrows.

She’s a lady  

The ladybug, as we know it, isn’t even a bug at all – it’s a beetle. The lady beetle, or ladybird, encompasses nearly 6,000 species worldwide, 98 of them are here in Florida. Many, but not all, of these species eat plant pests – providing natural pest control for your backyard garden or Farmer Brown’s tomato plants.

The appearance of the adult lady beetle is well-known, but there are four stages of the beetle’s lifecycle – in each, the beetle looks very different. As a gardener or farmer, knowing what a ladybug looks like at each of these stages is important so that it is protected. Using pesticides on an immature ladybug is a common mistake of many growers.

Adults are winged, oval and range from about 1 mm to 10+ mm. They are brightly colored, usually red, orange or yellow, and women are often larger than the males. According to UF/IFAS, adult ladybirds are able to reflex-bleed from their leg joints. “The blood (hemolymph) is repellent by having a repulsive smell as well as containing (in some species) various alkaloid toxins (adaline, coccinelline, exochomine, hippodamine, etc.),” according to UF/IFAS. The blood is yellow, repellent and toxic. This action is believed to be a defense mechanism against predators.

The lady’s role in bio-control

Different species of ladybugs feed on different organisms. Plant species feed on squash family plants and bean plants. These species are not of benefit to the agriculture industry. Innocuous species feed on mildew and fungal growths. The species which are beneficial to Florida agriculture are many of the predatory species. The feeding habits of these beetles vary, but might include:

• Mites
• Whiteflies
• Cottonycushion scale - This is a major pest of citrus, and an important pest of several other trees and shrubs.
• Mealybugs – These pests feed on plant juices and disperse several plant diseases. DPI has worked to control several mealybug species, including the pink hibiscus mealybug, the passionvine mealybug and the bamboo mealybug.
• Armored scale insects
• Scale insects
• Aphids - These incredibly destructive plant insects have been known to put a damper on the holiday season. Read why you should thoroughly check your Christmas tree before purchasing.

Due to the diverse appetites of these critters and their ability to control the populations of their prey, many consider ladybugs a component of biological control of plant pests. Sometimes it is even recommended that gardeners purchase ladybugs for this exact reason.

Lip-smackin’ Ladybugs

Photo by: Taste of Home

If you or your children absolutely love ladybugs, here is a quick recipe for ladybug appetizers! The preparation time is just 30 minutes and the recipe makes about 12 servings. You can’t go wrong with a recipe involving cream cheese and Ritz crackers – yum!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• Black paste food coloring
• 1/2 teaspoon minced chives
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
• 36 butter-flavored crackers
• 18 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 18 large pitted ripe olives
• 72 fresh chive pieces (about 1-1/2 inches long)

Directions

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Remove 1 tablespoon to a small bowl and tint black. Place tinted cream cheese mixture in a small plastic bag; set aside.
• Add the chives, garlic salt and parsley to the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread over crackers. Arrange two tomato quarters on each for the ladybug wings.
• For heads, halve the olives widthwise; place one half on each cracker. Insert two chives into olives for antennae. Use tinted cream cheese mixture to pipe spots onto wings. Yield: 3 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (3 each) equals 86 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 7 mg cholesterol, 187 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Originally published as Ladybug Appetizers in Quick Cooking July/August 2002, p13

Enjoy these treats & remember, bee thankful!

Introducing: Bee Thankful

 

November is a month of gratitude. People all across America are reflecting on what they are thankful for. On Facebook, users are posting something that they are thankful for each day. In the Twitter world, Thanksgiving is already a top trend. The country is expressing their gratitude in numerous ways, each day of this very special month.

 

DPI is thankful for many things: agriculture, stewards of the land – you all that are reading this, and the opportunities that we have to protect Florida’s agriculture and natural resources. Each week this month, we are showing our gratitude for some individuals who often don’t receive much credit – beneficial insects of Florida. DPI works hard to educate and inform Floridians about invasive, harmful insects. However, we often fail to mention the ones who help sustain agriculture in the state of Florida.

Follow along this month as we recognize some valuable contributors to Florida agriculture.

Monsters Inc.

“Behind every tree there’s a new monster.” – Todd Rundgren

More like – behind every tree, under every rock, in every body of water, on every plant and in every beehive – there’s a new monster. Well, at least that’s how it often seems here at DPI.

Monsters are not just goblins, vampires and aliens. In fact, there are probably several monsters in your backyard alone – and no, not your in-laws. These monsters are invasive species – pests and diseases that entered our country or state from elsewhere and have no natural predators here, enabling them to take over and destroy many of our native plant and animal species.

Giant African land snail

Jaws, King Kong, Godzilla – Giant animals have been viewed as monsters since the post World War II era. Many link the genre of “giant animal vs. scientific elite humans” to the development of nuclear weapons – a connection? Possibly. But here is a giant animal that has not only made it to the big screen, but has also landed on the front pages of major news organizations across the world and may be slithering around in your backyard – the giant African land snail. Hiding in the bushes, crawling on walls, and eating your houses this pest will not blow your house down like the big bad wolf in the classic tale of the three little pigs, but it could certainly snack on it. The snails grow up to 8 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter eating up to 500 different plant species and can carry a form of meningitis.

Swarms of monsters in the air, violently attacking people below – what does this remind you of? Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” Little did you know, this nightmare could very easily become a reality. Africanized honey bees are a non-native, invasive species which is detrimental to the apiary industry in Florida – an industry which has a significant economic impact. These super defensive bees will attack for ordinary occurrences, such as vibrations from equipment and pedestrians straying into their territory. They will continue to attack for up to 24 hours within ¼ mile from their hive. Africanized honey bees can be found in hollow trees, walls, porches, sheds, attics, garbage cans and abandoned cars. Take Velma’s advice to Scooby Doo, “Beware who enters the monster hive. Inside, your fears will come alive.”

Mikania micrantha

Audrey II from the Little Shop of Horrors doesn’t have anything on this monster. Mikania micrantha is an extremely fast growing vine. In fact, it grows up to ½ meter per week. This alien species tends to smother other plants and trees as it expands across not only abandoned disturbed areas, but also agricultural and natural areas. It pulls you in with its attractive flowers, and then ZAP – it strangles the life out of surrounding plants. Mile-a-minute, as it is commonly referred to, has the ability to take over disturbed areas in only a few months. It is considered globally one of the top 100 most invasive species.

Do you have arachnophobia? Honestly, these are the “monsters” you should probably fear the least! Florida native spiders are beneficial to our environment. They reduce local disease-carrying insects by consuming them. Also, spider venom is used in neurological research and the silk produced by spiders is used in many optical devices including laboratory instruments. But these creatures do look scary! Check out some of our blog posts about spiders under the spider category. Here are a few links: ogre-faced, black widow, trapdoor, the wolf spider and the Mexican Red Rump Tarantula.  

Beware of monsters: Happy Halloween!

Oh, what a tangled web we weave: Ogre-faced

 

Photo Credit: Carl Moller

 

I was working in the lab late one night

When my eyes beheld an eerie sight.

For a monster with fangs and protruding eyes

Cast a net over me, then much to my surprise…

 

The monster slowly moved in the dark of night

With a hump on his back and a fear of the light.

Those eyes, those fangs – but eight pairs of legs…

“Are you an ogre, a spider? Please tell!” I begged.

 

 

The monster seemed to be having fun,

As if a party had just begun.

He opened his mouth and said to me,

“Just listen and you will see.”

 

 

“My eyes subdue my prey at night.

I’ve thorns on my legs for more than just fright.

I hide among twigs and sticks and vines.

You’ll never see me, until its time.”

 

 

“But that is not why I’m here tonight

It is the day that spirits take flight.

All Hallow’s Eve is among us now…

Join my fellows and I for our nightly prowl.”

 

 

We did the mash

We did the monster mash

The monster mash

It was a graveyard smash

We did the mash

It caught on in a flash

We did the mash

We did the monster mash

 

 

Now everything is cool, I’m part of the crew.

Ogre-faced spiders are no threat to me and you.

For insects, well thats another story…

For those who enjoy horror and gory.

 

 

We did the monster mash.

Please share your favorite Halloween monster! And check out this invasive species from DPI’s YouTube channel: the Mexican Red Rump Tarantula. Happy Halloween!