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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
