Memorial Day is a time to honor those who selflessly serve the United States through the nation’s military and service professions. It is also a time to reflect on our nation’s history and the efforts of others to ensure national security for all Americans. For some, Memorial Day is even a time to fellowship with friends and family and ring in the coming summer months.
Not every citizen can or will serve in the military or other public service profession, but every American can contribute to national security by staying aware of his or her impact on the environment. Invasive plant and apiary pests and diseases threaten our food supply and green spaces every day, and agencies like USDA and FDACS work together to protect our nation from those pests and diseases.
Here are a few tips from DPI to keep in mind during this weekend:
- Help stop the spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt by purchasing local firewood and burning it all on site. Unprocessed wood like firewood can harbor harmful pests and diseases that affect our state’s forests, landscape plants and agricultural trees. It attacks avocado trees and no one wants to do without guacamole – remember to Save the Guac!
- If you are in the Pompano Beach Medfly quarantine area, do not move fruit in or out of the area. By minimizing the movement of fruit or host plants (especially the fresh crop of mangos), you can help stop the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Stop by DPI’s website to learn more about protecting Florida’s environment and agriculture industry from harmful plant pests and diseases. We hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all of the military and service men and women who serve to keep our country safe!
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate for a Cause
May 5, 2011
The fifth of May is a day where people break out their taco shells, queso and guacamole to not only commemorate the Mexican victory over France in 1862, but also to celebrate Mexican pride, heritage and, let’s not forget, food. DPI employees will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo today at our annual Spring Luncheon, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating this holiday, but doing so for a cause.
Laurel wilt is a serious disease that impacts trees of the Laurel family, including redbay, sassafras and avocado. The avocado industry in Florida has a local economic impact of $13 million. This disease is spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle, an invasive insect to Florida’s environment. The redbay ambrosia beetle can be transported, often unknowingly, around the state in unprocessed wood products like firewood.
In order to educate the general public about laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, DPI launched its Save the Guac campaign. Avocados and guacamole are staple dishes during Cinco de Mayo festivities, and we encourage you to keep this campaign in mind while you celebrate. However, your participation with Save the Guac doesn’t have to end with Cinco de Mayo. You can share the message of the Save the Guac campaign by telling your friends and family about the dangers of transporting unprocessed wood products that can harbor invasive insects like the redbay ambrosia beetle. You can watch for signs of laurel wilt on your trees. You can purchase avocado and other host trees from registered nurseries only. Finally, you can purchase firewood locally and burn it all on site.
To learn more about Save the Guac, laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, please visit http://www.SavetheGuac.com. You’ll even have the opportunity check out great guac recipes and sign up to receive a free Save the Guac bumper sticker!
Happy Cinco de Mayo from all of us at DPI! We hope that you join us in celebrating for a cause.
Pledge an Act of Green: Save the Guac
April 20, 2011
Earth Day is Friday, and the theme for this year is Pledge and Act of Green. Pledging to help Save the Guac has its perks, including a free bumper sticker! Here’s the condensed version of Save the Guac:
Laurel wilt = disease threatening trees in the Laurel family, including avocado, which has a $13 million impact on Florida’s economy. (Plus, who doesn’t love avocados?)
Redbay ambrosia beetle = the insect associated with spreading Laurel wilt, which can be harbored in unprocessed wood products like firewood and transported around the state
Guacamole = tastes awesome, and largely consists of avocado
Visit http://www.savetheguac.com to learn more about how you can help Save the Guac and protect Florida’s avocado industry and environment from laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle. Plus, Cinco de Mayo is coming up, and it would be a sad celebration without guac!
For more information, view related posts on our blog, our website, or call DPI at 888-397-1517. Learn more about Earth Day at http://www.earthday.org.
With a Medfly eradication program currently underway in Pompano Beach, and a positive find of laurel wilt in Miami-Dade County, it is quite evident that FDACS and USDA trapping programs are effective and crucial to the state’s agriculture industry, environment and economy.
FDACS has positively identified the presence of laurel wilt disease, a destructive disease of redbay, avocado and other trees in the laurel family, on three swamp bay trees in south Miami-Dade County. State and federal agriculture officials are working with the industry and UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to determine procedures for enhanced trapping and disease management. Planning is also underway to conduct aerial surveys of the area, which is an effective tool for identifying additional symptomatic trees.
Laurel wilt is a fungus that is introduced to host trees by the redbay ambrosia beetle. The beetle was found in Miami-Dade County in March. It had not previously been found south of Martin County.
“The discovery of the redbay ambrosia beetle last year was a likely harbinger that laurel wilt disease was not far behind,” said Dr. Wayne Dixon, Acting Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry. “Our staff, along with our federal partners, has been conducting intensive trapping efforts throughout the state with increased trapping efforts around Florida’s economically important avocado industry.”
According to Florida Agriculture Statistics, the avocado industry represents nearly $13 million to the local economy, with more than 6,773 acres in production in Miami-Dade and Collier counties. For more information about laurel wilt, the redbay ambrosia beetle and protecting Florida’s avocados, visit http://www.savetheguac.com.
You can help prevent the spread of laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle by
-Becoming familiar with the signs of laurel with disease and redbay ambrosia beetle and looking out for symptoms of the pest/disease on your trees;
-Using local firewood only (destructive pests and diseases, such as redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt can hitchhike into and around Florida on infested firewood);
-Not transporting host trees (redbay, swamp bay, avocado, sassafrass, pondspice, pondberry and other in the Lauraceae family) unless purchased from a registered nursery; and
-Using UF/IFAS recommended methods to dispose of trees in the Lauraceae family, if necessary.
If you suspect your tree might be infected with laurel wilt or find a redbay ambrosia beetle, please call the DPI helpline at 888-397-1517.
Management recommendations for homeowners
Instructions for submitting a plant or insect sample
More info on laurel wilt
Save the Guac Campaign
“You gotta fight for your right to party.”
January 28, 2011
It looks like the Packers and the Steelers are going to duke it out during the Super Bowl on February 6. Regardless of which team you’re rooting for, every fan has to eat. Last week, we shared a post about how some of our favorite party foods, like guacamole, are at risk due to plant pests and diseases in Florida. With pests and diseases entering the sentinel state of Florida at an alarming rate, it is important for all Floridians to get involved in protecting the state’s food supply. Let’s take a look at a few recipes for game day grub that could be impacted by invasive plant pests and diseases.
7-Layer Dip
With layers of refried beans, guacamole, salsa, lettuce and tomatoes, 7-Layer Dip is always a party favorite. Between the pea leafminer and lettuce mosaic virus, lettuce is closely monitored by DPI to reduce the possibility of spreading pests throughout the state. Tomatoes are a popular fruit among pests and diseases from leaffooted bugs to tomato spotted wilt virus. If you grow your own tomatoes, keep an eye out for potential pests and seek advice from your local county extension office if you suspect a squatter on your plants.
Spicy Guacamole
DPI is an avocado’s advocate in terms of pest and disease prevention. Check out the division’s Save the Guac campaign for more information about the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt and how they affect trees of the Laurel family, like avocado. Each time you enjoy fresh guacamole, remember you can make a difference in protection avocado production in Florida.
Red and Green Quiche Bites
Florida produces its fair share of peppers. Peppers are currently in season, and make a great fresh addition to quiche. Peppers are threatened by the European pepper moth, a pest of concern at DPI.
Smoky Veggie Quesadillas
Yum! The great state of Florida is home to winter vegetable production. DPI monitors for fruit fly pests, which can also have veggies as hosts. By staying up-to-date with trappings and responding to exotic insect finds, the division helps to protect Florida’s vegetable industry to keep its produce in the grocery store and in your quesadillas.
Curry Cran-Orange Snack Mix Recipe
This dish takes a twist on snack mix. Citrus has been under attack by pests and diseases for many years, and is now faced with canker, greening, black spot and harmful insects. How can you help protect Florida’s infamous citrus industry? Don’t pack a pest, and follow quarantine and shipping regulations to reduce the spread of disease.
Mixed Berry Pizza
A healthier choice than greasy pepperoni, mixed berry pizza is the perfect addition to your game day snack list. It’s berry season in Florida, which means it’s time for DPI to inspect blueberries. Fresh, safe winter fruit is definitely a perk to living in the Sunshine State.
Sensational Campfire S ‘mores
Nothing ends a great day of football and food like a solid fire and warm s ‘mores. If you’re planning to build a fire, make sure to purchase only local firewood. Firewood and other unprocessed wood products can harbor harmful insects like the redbay ambrosia beetle and emerald ash borer. By reducing the movement of wood throughout the state, you can help fight pests and diseases that affect Florida agriculture and the environment.
Simply being aware of pests and diseases affecting agriculture and the environment can make a huge difference in keeping safe, fresh Florida foods on your table. For more information, stop by the DPI website or call the toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517.
Guac goes great with pigskins.
January 19, 2011
No, we don’t mean pork rinds, that is, unless you like them.
For great guac recipes, visit SavetheGuac.com!
While NFL fans are patiently waiting to see which teams will be battling it out in Cowboys Stadium on February 6 for Super Bowl XLV, those planning Super Bowl parties are planning menus for the hunger-inducing game. A popular party favorite is guacamole, especially when it’s made fresh. There’s nothing like the combination of creamy, zesty guacamole, tortilla chips and football.
Fresh Florida avocados are still available in grocery stores, especially in South Florida. Miami-Dade County is home to the heart of Florida’s avocado production. Unfortunately, avocados are not as good at defense as NFL players, and are under attack by a disease threatening to wipe out almost 7,000 acres in production. No avocados = no guacamole. That would put a damper on Super Bowl parties, for sure.
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle on Dime
The redbay ambrosia beetle is a tiny beetle that was first discovered in the United States in Savannah, Ga., and has since been detected just miles from areas of avocado production in South Florida. This beetle is associated with laurel wilt, a disease known to have crippling effects on trees the Laurel family, such as redbay and avocado. Trees that are diseased with laurel wilt initially have drooping foliage with a red or purple discoloration, and the foliage eventually turns brown and may remain on the tree for a year or more. Small tubes of sawdust that protrude from the tree are signs of a redbay ambrosia beetle infestation. You can help stop the spread of laurel wilt by reporting signs of the disease to the DPI Helpline at 888-397-1517.
Laurel Wilt Symptoms
A major avenue for redbay ambrosia beetles to be transported around the state is through the movement of infested firewood. The tiny beetles can go unnoticed in a bundle of firewood, and can easily hitch a ride from one campsite to another. You can help control the spread of invasive pests like the redbay ambrosia beetle by purchasing firewood near your campsite, burning all firewood (or donating it to a fellow camper), purchasing dry wood and reducing the need for firewood by cooking over charcoal or gas. Remember to buy firewood when you reach your destination and burn it all onsite.
Visit the SavetheGuac website to learn more, try out a few recipes and register for a free bumper sticker!
Keep your snack bowls and stomachs full during the Super Bowl. Help Save the Guac!
Visit www.SavetheGuac.com!
Little beetle, big problem.
November 19, 2010
Almost every month, a new exotic insect, plant or plant pathogen is detected in Florida. Some of these exotic invaders turn out to be serious agricultural pests, like laurel wilt disease and the redbay ambrosia beetle.
Pests and diseases like laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle are often spread throughout the state unknowingly by travelers. For example, the redbay ambrosia beetle can be harbored in firewood, and transporting firewood increases the spread of the beetle and laurel wilt disease.
Laurel wilt is a destructive disease of redbay, avocado and other trees in the laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) 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 (Xyleborus glabratus), which was first detected in the U.S. near Savannah, Georgia, in 2002 and subsequently found in Duval County, Florida, in 2005. Laurel wilt has caused high levels of mortality in redbay trees in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and has affected several other hosts including sassafras and avocado.
Florida’s avocado industry represents a farm gate production value of $13 million with over 6,773 production acres located in Miami-Dade County with some acreage in Collier County, according to Florida Agriculture Statistics. The spread of the tiny redbay ambrosia beetle could result in the elimination of avocado production in Florida.
The Division of Plant Industry’s Save the Guac campaign was established to educate the public about the potential devastating effects laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle could have on Florida avocado production. According to the report, Estimates of the Replacement Costs of Commercial and Backyard Avocado Trees in South Florida authored by Edward A. Evans and Jonathan H. Crane, the cost to replace commercial and backyard avocados, if the redbay-laurel wilt disease complex became established, would be $423 million. DPI established a firewood and unprocessed wood product regulation in August to protect our trees, natural environments, forest and wood material industries and, of course, avocados.
You can help stop the spread of exotic invasive species like the redbay ambrosia beetle and help Save the Guac by not transporting firewood or unprocessed wood products.
Have questions? Call DPI’s toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517 or e-mail us at dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.
Learn Before You Burn: Protect Florida’s Trees
November 16, 2010
It’s November, and for many Floridians, ‘tis the season for campfires. Florida is home to some of the nation’s most beautiful state and national parks, forests and green spaces. There are opportunities to get in touch with nature and Florida’s natural history all over the state, from the pine forests of the Panhandle to the hammocks of South Florida.
Before you hit the road to experience a new campsite or an old family favorite, we ask that you think ahead about where you are going to purchase your firewood and how to dispose of unused wood.
Almost every month, a new exotic insect, plant or plant pathogen is detected in Florida, and the unregulated movement of firewood and other unprocessed wood products create major pathways into the state for harmful pests and diseases. It costs millions of dollars to try and eradicate these pests, not to mention the tremendous loss of so many life sustaining trees.
Many states are battling infestations from wood-boring insects and tree diseases. Florida is battling laurel wilt disease, a destructive disease of redbay, avocado and other trees in the laurel family. The disease, caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) carried into trees by the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), was first detected in the U.S. near Savannah, Ga., in 2002, and subsequently found in Duval County, Fla., in 2005. Laurel wilt has caused high levels of mortality in redbay trees in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and has affected several other hosts including sassafras and avocado.
To help protect Florida’s forests and trees, the most important and easiest action you can take is to not move firewood. Make sure to use local sources of firewood, and please do not take any local firewood home from campgrounds. If you have already brought firewood from home, do not take it back home and do not leave it—burn it!
For more information, check out our video on burning local firewood.
Questions or comments can be sent to dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us
Go green with Florida avocados.
September 13, 2010
Just like almost any other fruit, avocados come in a variety of varieties. There are dark, wrinkly-skinned avocados. There are big, green shiny avocados. There are avocados of all shapes and sizes grown on trees in backyards in South Florida and commercial groves. With 56 avocado varieties grown in Florida alone, it can be difficult to decide which kind to choose when walking through your grocery store’s produce section or your local farmers market. While everyone has a preference for the types of produce they like to consume, we tend to have one suggestion when it comes to picking out avocados: go green.
Avocados are grown commercially in only two states. California is known for its dark-colored Hass avocados, whereas shiny, smooth-skinned green avocados are grown in Florida. Although avocados as a whole are considered one of the highest sources of unsaturated fat in fruits and vegetables, Florida avocados have fewer calories and grams of fat than other varieties. They are also a great source of vitamin A and potassium. Literature produced by Sarasota County Extension compares the nutritional qualities of Florida and California avocados in a 3.5-ounce serving. It shows that a 3.5-ounce serving of Florida avocado has 112 calories and 8.87 grams of fat. The same serving of California avocado has 177 calories and 17.3 grams of fat.
Florida avocado growers in South Florida not only provide a tasty product that holds its own in terms of nutrition, but also strive to meet the consumer desire for foods grown closer to home. Next time you go to the store or market to purchase avocados, remember to go green and choose Fresh from Florida avocados.
We strive to help Florida avocado growers produce exceptional fruit by working to reduce the spread of a plant disease that threatens the avocado industry. Laurel wilt is a disease caused by a fungus that is carried to trees in the Laurel family, like avocado trees, by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle. Because this beetle infests trees, it can very easily be harbored in firewood or other unprocessed wood and spread throughout the state. You can help reduce the spread of Laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle by purchasing local firewood and burning it all on site instead of bringing it home with you. Also, if you purchase avocado or other host trees, make sure to buy them from a registered nursery.
To learn more about the insect (redbay ambrosia beetle) and the disease (Laurel wilt), visit our Save the Guac website at http://www.savetheguac.com. You can even request a free Save the Guac bumper sticker! If you’d like to talk to us via telephone, call our toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517.
Have questions? You can always e-mail us at DPI-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.
