MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

about page banner

Entomology and Nematology

The Department of Entomology and Nematology maintains tripartite priorities consistent with the mandate given to full-service landgrant universities and associated experiment stations: Research, Extension, and Academics. These programs are facilitated with state funding, extramural contract and grant funding, donations and gifts, and the collaborative efforts of cooperating agencies and institutions. The Department has coordinated faculty efforts and strengths into what could be considered major thrust areas for the Department. These areas of emphasis include: Behavior, Ecology, and Systematics; Biological Control; Medical, Veterinary and Urban Entomology; Nematology; Pest Management; and Physiology, Biochemistry, and Genetics.

Editorial Team

RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS

Management of the Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberries in Florida

IN1414/ENY2105by Marice Lopez, Patricio Munoz, and Oscar LiburdMarch 21, 2024The blueberry gall midge (BGM) is one of the most important pests of southern highbush blueberries in Florida. Monitoring for BGM using clear sticky traps or bucket traps should begin as early as November. Chemical control should be applied right before bud break and then ten days after bud break, or when at least two BGM are found on traps. Other management practices include the use of younger mulch, using potentially resistant cultivars, and chemical control such as Movento with Induce and Apta in rotation to avoid resistance development. Applications should also be timed with larval and adult emergence for optimal insecticide efficacy. Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Hibiscus Erineum Mite Aceria hibisci (Nalepa, 1906) (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

IN1419/EENY-806by Mikinley Weaver and Adam DaleFebruary 27, 2024The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): parasitoid of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

IN1420/EENY-807by Salman Al-Shami and Jawwad A. QureshiFebruary 27, 2024This publication describes the biology, distribution, behavior, and impact of the parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii Howard. This beneficial insect is known for providing significant reductions in mealybug populations in Florida and other locations. It is also intended to provide knowledge about this parasitoid to a wide range of interested audiences including growers, Extension agents, researchers, students, laypersons, and other stakeholders.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Orangedog (Papilio cresphontes)

IN1410/IN1410by L. M. Diepenbrock, K. L. Ray, and J. D. BurrowFebruary 22, 2024This publication is a brief description of the life cycle and damage of the orangedog. It is one publication in a series of quick guides to citrus pests. Each fact sheet is designed to be a quick reference of citrus pests for both residential and commercial industry audiences.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Managing Spider Mites in Florida Hops

IN1417/ENY2106by Hugh Smith and Shinsuke AgeharaJanuary 9, 2024This publication is designed to provide information on managing spider mites on hops grown in Florida to hops growers, UF/IFAS Extension agents, and other crop protection professionals. Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (Cannabinaceae), a new crop for Florida, has been studied at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) since 2016. A fall and spring crop have been cultivated each year, providing opportunity to observe pests and evaluate pest management strategies over several seasons. Spider mites (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) have been a consistent pest of hops at GCREC each season. Information on chemical and biological control is provided.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises