The HEAT isn’t the only thing from Miami with the potential to be the next Beast of the East

The HEAT’s performance during this NBA season has attracted attention to the team’s home city of Miami like D-Wade attracted Celtics defenders during the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Miami consistently attracts the attention of DPI, but not for its basketball heroes.

Florida’s subtropical climate and Miami’s status as an international travel hub makes the city and its surrounding areas especially susceptible to invasive plant and apiary pests and diseases. DPI is currently involved with routine trapping programs for Africanized honey bees, Mediterranean fruit flies and other insects. Also, with the redbay ambrosia beetle discovered close to avocado production in Miami-Dade County, laurel wilt surveys are underway there, too. Another pest plaguing the area is Mikania micrantha, an invasive weed found in the Redlands.

Miami might be a metropolitan superpower, but its unique natural resources and green space are especially valuable to the area’s ecosystem and the state and nation’s environmental treasures. You can help keep Miami known as home to the beast of the East because of its basketball, and not because of established invasive species. How can you help? Take a look around DPI’s website to stay informed of important pests and diseases in Florida. If you think you’ve discovered a plant or apiary pest or disease, contact DPI’s helpline at 888-397-1517. DPI works to protect Florida’s environment and agriculture industry from harmful pests and diseases, and ultimately protect you, the consumer. You can help take ownership in the state’s natural resources and leading industry by staying informed.

Don’t just plant a tree for Arbor Day. Make sure it comes from a certified nursery!

Arbor Day is this Friday, April 29, and citizens across the country will be celebrating by planting trees. We all know that trees benefit the environment, but where you purchase your tree can impact the environment, as well. Florida is a sentinel state for pests and diseases, and many of these invasive species are unknowingly transported into and around the state in food products, firewood and plant material. DPI inspects the state’s registered nurseries for harmful plant and apiary pests and diseases. By making sure to purchase your Arbor Day tree from a certified nursery, you can help stop the spread of pests and diseases in Florida. DPI maintains a list of certified nurseries organized by county in its nursery directory. For more information, visit http://freshfromflorida.com/pi/or call 888-397-1517. To learn more about Arbor Day, visit http://www.arborday.com/.

March Weed of the Month: Shoebutton ardisia

Ardisia elliptica, or shoebutton ardisia, is a shrub or small tree that was introduced as an ornamental plant. This evergreen tree or shrub with star-shaped flowers invades natural areas, forming clumps or thickets that crowd out other species.  This species is probably native to India, but certainly tropical Asia, and is now found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Documented occurrences of shoebutton ardisia are known from Pinellas, Collier, Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Brevard counties. This weed is regulated by the state of Florida on the state’s noxious weed list, and is also included on the FLEPPC Category 1 list of invasive plants. Read more…

Mikania micrantha is fast growing in environment and noxious weed lists

Mikania micrantha

The invasive weed Mikania micrantha is nicknamed mile-a-minute because of its fast growth habits, and rightly so. Also known as Chinese creeper and bittervine, this invasive weed can grow almost half a meter per week in optimal conditions. It thrives in Florida’s warm, humid environment, especially in the Redlands area where it has been detected for the first time in the continental United States.

As a rapidly growing climbing vine, it can smother and overwhelm other small plants and even large trees. Left uncontrolled, it can cover abandoned disturbed areas in only a few months, and then spill over into agricultural and natural areas. It has been documented as a pest in banana, cacao, coconut, oil palm, rubber and rice plantations. Mikania micrantha is one of the top one hundred global invasive pests.

 Check out our Flickr album for more Mikania micrantha photos. If you think you have seen this plant, please call 888-397-1517. 

Mikania micrantha Positive Finds in Florida
Mikania micrantha Pest Alert – DPI
Mikania micrantha Fact Sheet by Asia – Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network

Meet Linus.

The Division of Plant Industry has a new favorite pup. His name is Linus, and he’s an agriculture detector dog.

DPI is partnering with state and federal agencies to create a video and signage that will be used in airports and on flights to spread the message about harmful invasive species that can be unintentionally introduced into the nation by travelers. The video features Linus as a main character and portrays the perils of packing a pest through the eyes of an agriculture detector dog.

Many people are familiar with K-9 law enforcement units, but few consumers are aware of the canines that contribute to U.S. national security and protection of the nation’s food supply on a daily basis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection employs a team of beagles and human handlers, to inspect luggage at U.S. airports for agricultural products. Beagles are ideal “federal agents” because of their keen sense of smell and ability to work around both adults and children in public places like airports. Agriculture detector dogs and their handlers are intensively trained to inspect for agricultural products and work together as a team to serve as a barrier to invasive plant and animal pests and diseases. Trained detector dogs take their duties seriously, but it is important to note that the job is fun for the animals.

For Linus, being an agriculture detector dog has its perks, like being the star of a commercial. Public information officers from DPI are currently shooting the airline video in Atlanta, Ga. Stay tuned for updates on Linus and the video!

“You gotta fight for your right to party.”

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.

Farmers grow food, fiber, now fuel… Biomass permitting in Florida

With the Farm to Fuel Initiative, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports the production of renewable energy sources in Florida. The Farm to Fuel Initiative evolved from former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson’s leadership role in the national “25x’25” program, which aims to produce 25 percent of America’s energy needs from renewable resources by 2025. The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes biomass as the only clean renewable energy source that has the potential to help to significantly diversify transportation fuels. Many growers are interested in this new fuel source and are increasing biomass plantings on agricultural lands in Florida. Biomass planting refers to plant material grown and harvested for use in fuel production. DPI is responsible for regulating biomass plantings in order to control the movement of biomass plant species into or within the state. The permitting process also establishes procedures that will help confirm that there are no unintentional introductions of these plant species outside of the permitted planting areas.

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

For permit requirements, view this printable brochure.

In order to obtain a biomass permit, applicants must submit the application and required documents to the Division of Plant Industry, Methods Development, P.O. Box 147100, Gainesville, FL  32614-7100. For more information, call the DPI Helpline at 1-888-397-1517.

We’re putting a spin on citrus disease identification.

With a variety of pests and diseases affecting citrus fruits, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish the source of symptoms affecting their fruit. DPI is a collaborative partner with the Citrus Health Response Program, and therefore assists the program in regulating and protecting the citrus industry from harmful pests and diseases. DPI launched an interactive citrus disease identification tool that allows the user to view diseased or infested citrus fruit with a 360-degree rotation. When the user clicks “play,” the fruit starts to rotate to show a full view of the fruit for easier identification.

Check out the Citrus Disease Identification Tool.

Several resources for citrus disease identification and citrus industry updates are available on the CHRP website:
Citrus Canker
Citrus Greening
Citrus Black Spot
Also, you can view our blog post on shipping citrus.

For more information, you can reach the CHRP Helpline toll-free at 1-800-282-5153.

Weed of the Month: Old World or Small Leaf Climbing Fern

The Old World Climbing Fern

Similar to last month’s Weed of the Month, Japanese climbing fern, this invasive species covers native vegetation, including trees, and can serve as a ladder for fire to climb into the forest canopy. The Old World climbing fern is an agricultural pest in Asia, and is classified as a noxious weed in Florida and Alabama. It is present throughout the Florida peninsula and can usually be found in wet areas, and windborne spores from this fern remain viable for up to four years after they are released. This fern has an unusual twining habit and fronds grow to about 100 feet.

Learn more by visiting the Weed of the Month page in the Botany Section of the DPI website.

That itsy bitsy spider could be a venomous species.

(Latrodectus bishopi, the red widow)

“The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout, down came the rain and washed the spider out,
out came the sun and dried up all the rain and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.”
(The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Western nursery rhyme)

Florida is home to a plethora of spider species, as the state’s subtropical climate contributes to its biodiversity. Spiders are often discovered residing in homes, offices, barns and other places where they could come in contact with humans. Many spiders are beneficial to the environment and not harmful to humans. However, some species of spiders are venomous, and serious health problems could result from their bite. Two main types of venomous spiders occur in Florida: widow spiders and recluse spiders. Although some species of widow spiders are native to Florida, nonnative species of widow spiders and recluse spiders have been introduced into the state.

Check out this pest alert on venomous spiders in Florida from DPI’s resident spider expert Dr. G. B. Edwards. This pest alert is helpful in identifying widow and recluse spiders and their bite symptoms. Dr. Edwards recently received an e-mail from a Florida man who had been bitten by a widow spider and was able to avoid severe symptoms from the spider bite because he had read the venomous spiders pest alert. Dr. Edwards also recently assisted a car dealership manager in the Florida panhandle who called for information on how to eradicate an infestation of brown widow spiders at the dealership. Dr. Edwards’ success in assisting and educating the public is a prime example of the purpose of the division, and the dedication of DPI staff to serving Florida consumers and protecting Florida’s environment—even from itsy bitsy spiders.

For more information, see Dr. Edwards’ venomous spiders pest alert, or view these related links:
Spiders and Other Arachnids
Spiders on the Web
Black Widow Spiders
Recluse Spiders
Myths of the Brown Recluse
UF Pest Alerts

Dr. Edwards can be contacted at GB.Edwards@freshfromflorida.com, or 352-372-3505 ext. 194.

Have questions or comments? Call our toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517.