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Florida's Invaders: Exotic Pests1
The Center for Natural Resources2Florida's natural ecosystems are increasingly coming under attack by invading exotic species which displace native species, thereby degrading the diversity of floral and faunal resources. Florida has ecosystems not found in the other 47 contiguous states, and it also has more non-native species than any state other than Hawaii. Many of these species have become sufficiently abundant or otherwise destructive to be considered pests. Faculty members at the University of Florida are conducting research and outreach programs to better understand and control these exotic invasive species.
Plants
With its plant-friendly south temperate / subtropical climate and an ongoing influx of human "transplants," Florida particularly suffers from the introduction and unchecked growth of exotic plants. Almost half (1,180) of the 3,834 plant species found in Florida have arrived here since European occupation.Because plants are the base of the food chain, exotic "takeovers" can jeopardize plant-dependent wildlife and the whole ecosystem. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) has identified 64 non-native invasive ( Figure 1 ) species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities (1999 list). Plant pests include hydrilla, old world climbing fern, and melaleuca.
Figure 1. Hyacinth Control
Management of invasive plants include mechanical removal, herbicides, fire, pathogens (often fungal plant-eaters), and biocontrol (using species-specific natural enemies -- often insects).Contacts
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Randall Stocker, Center Director and Professor----------
UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
(352) 392-6841
aqplants@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
Kenneth Langeland
UF/IFAS Agronomy Dept.
(352) 392-9614
kal@ifas.ufl.eduWeb Sites
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UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants---------
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
http://fleppc.org/
Bureau of Invasive Plant Management
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec/index.htm
Plant Protection & Quarantine
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/
Division of Plant Industries
Florida Dept. of Agriculture Consumer Services (FDACS)
http://doacs.state.fl.us/~piWildlife
In Florida, at least 60 species of exotic birds have bred in the wild. Despite this fact, the chance of persisting survival of non-indigenous birds is uncertain. Among those species which have survived and thrived as pests are muscovy ducks, rock doves, European starlings, house sparrows, and monk parakeets.Though troublesome in other respects, some species (such as feral pigs) are important as prey for native predators (Florida panthers) and serve as an attraction for hunters. However, negative impacts from invasive species include habitat destruction, competition with native species, predation, hybridization, disease and parasites. Florida mammal pests include the Norway rat, roof rat, house mouse, and feral pig.
Figure 2. The Cuban treefrog: One of thousands of species invading Florida's ecosystem. Control
While dealing with management of invasive wildlife, emphasis has been on preventing future invaders (such as the mongoose) from settling.Contacts
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Mark Hostetler, Assistant Professor----------
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ph: 352-846-0568
fax: 352-392-6984
hostetlerm@wec.ufl.edu
William Kern
Urban Entomologist
Ft. Lauderdale REC
(954) 577-6300
whk@ufl.edu
Bernice Constantin
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
(352) 377-5556Web Sites
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, http://www.fws.govInsects
Annually, insect pests cause an estimated $1 billion in damages in Florida, and many of the worst pests are non-indigenous. According to entomologist Dr. John Capinera, 12-18 invading species become established in Florida annually. These non-natives arrive by flying, walking, swimming, rafting and by stowing away on cargo (often on infested plants commercially imported).Control
Management of exotic pests includes slowing their influx by tightening inspection at the borders and finding other environmentally benign means of control.Contacts
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Howard Frank---------
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(352) 392-1901
jhf@ifas.ufl.edu
Jim Cuda
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(352) 392-1901
jcuda@ifas.ufl.edu
John Capinera, Chair
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(392) 1901
jlcap@IFAS.UFL.EDUWeb Sites
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Division of Plant Industry, FDACS----------
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/
Featured Creatures, UF & FDACS
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/index.htm
Pest Alert, UF/IFAS
http://extlab1.entnem.ufl.edu/PestAlert/
Pest Exclusion, APHIS: USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/Books & Articles
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Strangers in Paradise-------
Simberloff, Daniel, ed. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1997.
Extension Digital Information System (EDIS), UF/IFAS
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
Footnotes
1. This publication was produced by the Center for Natural Resources at the University of Florida. CNR 8 is part of a Program Summary Series. First published: September 2000. Minor revision: March 2003. 1051 McCarty Hall D. Post Office Box 110230. Tel: (352) 392-7622 Fax: (352) 846-2856 Email: cnr_mail@mail.ifas.ufl.edu Web: http://cnr.ifas.ufl.edu/2. Nancy Peterson, Program Coordinator
This publication was produced by The Center for Natural Resources (CNR). Established in 1973, CNR at the University of Florida plays a major role in the conservation, preservation and restoration of our nation's natural resources by facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations between UF faculty and external stakeholders.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.