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.
Tree disease found in West Kendall
April 4, 2011
This article was published in the Miami Herald on Friday, April 1, 2011. Click the link below to read the full article.
A tree disease new to Miami-Dade County has been found.
It is called Laurel wilt, a disease of trees in the Laurel family such as redbay, swampbay, and avocado. Laurel wilt was recently confirmed on native swampbay trees between between Kendall Drive and Tamiami Trail along Krome Avenue. Swampbay trees showing symptoms of laurel wilt have also been found in the Bird Road Recharge area, which is the area west of West Kendall. Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/31/2143281/tree-disease-found-in-west-kendall.html##ixzz1IZ5uaV3G
Laurel Wilt in Florida — Video
March 29, 2011
Keeping an Eye on Laurel Wilt Disease
March 25, 2011
Laurel wilt is a deadly disease of redbay (Persea borbonia) and other tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea lauricola) that is introduced into host trees by a non-native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). Laurel wilt can have a devastating impact on Florida’s avocado industry, as avocado is a tree in the Laurel family.
DPI implemented the Save the Guac campaign to help Floridians get involved with protecting the state from laurel wilt disease and the redbay ambrosia beetle. Laurel wilt has been spreading throughout the state since its introduction in 2005, and has also been detected in Georgia and South Carolina. If you suspect laurel wilt disease in your yard, or think you have found a redbay ambrosia beetle, please submit a sample to DPI using the forms below.
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
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.
The Rundown on the New Firewood Rule
November 18, 2010
In order to protect Florida’s forests and trees, Florida established a firewood and unprocessed wood product regulation to prevent the introduction of unwanted wood pests and diseases into the state in August. This rule was developed as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other states and multiple industries.
Since 1980, more than 500 new species of insects and mites have been collected in Florida and are considered established. Florida’s list of most unwanted pests is growing, and pests in other states could spread to Florida through the movement of infested firewood. Some of these pests are:
- Asian longhorned beetle: attacks, weakens and kills healthy hardwood trees
- Emerald ash borer: kills most varieties of healthy ash trees
- European wood wasp: infects many species of pine trees with fungus which kills the trees
- Sudden oak death: weakens and kills oak trees; Rhododendron is a common host
- Redbay ambrosia beetle: infects and kills redbay trees with fungus within months
The firewood rule, Rule 5B-65 Firewood and Unprocessed Wood Products, establishes regulations to prevent the spread of these unwanted pests in Florida.
5B-65 Rule Requirements Summary:
- Commercial shipments of regulated articles will be allowed entry into Florida with a permit. Uncertified or infested shipments or regulated articles shall be quarantined, issued a Stop Sale and Hold Order, or denied entry into Florida.
- Non-commercial shipments of regulated articles entering the state through the Department’s agricultural interdiction stations without certification will be allowed entry only when issued a Report of Non-Commercial (Homeowner) Plants or Firewood Certification in Transit from Other States.
- Commercial shipments of regulated articles moving intrastate are required to be accompanied by a certificate of inspection.
- Locally produced or harvested firewood and unprocessed wood products harvested or produced within a 50-mile radius of the distribution point and not moved more than 50 miles from the point of origin are exempted and may be transported from areas contiguous to Florida without a certificate of treatment if the articles are accompanied by a proper bill of lading, proof of origin and any applicable federal certificates for shipments originating from a USDA-regulated area.
- No locally produced firewood outside Miami-Dade County may enter Miami-Dade County unless treated and certified by the Department.
Rule Exemptions:
- Cut Christmas trees may enter the state provided they are accompanied by a federal certificate required for movement from regulated areas of the United States or a certificate of inspected issued by the Department of Agriculture in the state of origin.
- Primary and secondary forest products originating from states contiguous to Florida and transported from processing at mills and plants may enter the state.
- Commercial shipments of processed mulch or processed wood chips for cooking destined for further distribution at retail outlets may enter the state.
Questions or comments can be sent to dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.
