Invasive Species

Especies invasivas 

Especies Invasoras

Marine Ecosystems

Entorno marino

What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals. Our [&#8230;]

<h2>What is Florida First Detector?</h2>
<h2><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3695 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Florida First Detector logo" width="300" height="207" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/files/2023/06/SeminoleCo_FloridaFirstDetectorLogo_Vert_4c-300x207.png"></h2>
<p>Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals.</p>
<p>Our program is a cooperative effort between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), the University of Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program (CAPS), the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), Protect U.S. and the Sentinel Plant Network (SPN).</p>
<h2>What is our First Friday Webinar Series?</h2>
<p>On the first Friday of every month, we will have a one-hour webinar on a topic related to invasive species in Florida. An invasive species is a non-native species causing harm like economic losses, environmental damage or human/animal health hazards. The webinars are open to everyone and applicable to professionals and residents alike!</p>
<p>At each session, we will cover a different topic. We will be training you to be a First Detector, to help spot species that have not yet been introduced to Florida. We may also cover some species that are already causing issues in Florida and talk about current management strategies and methods to stop the spread. This series began in September of 2022 and will continue to at least August 2025.</p>
<h2>What is the schedule for September 2024-2025?</h2>
<p>This series began in September of 2022 and will continue to at least August 2025. We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the <strong>First Friday</strong> of every month from Sept 2024-Aug 2025*. Sign up for one, two, more, or all of them!</p>
<ul>
<li>September 6, 2024, Invasive Species in Florida
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WW0egrcKS4ui8gbkn3cqhA">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WW0egrcKS4ui8gbkn3cqhA</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>October 4, 2024, Resources for Identification of Plant Problems
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FCJGSqX_S_qbW9ssiZP2-w">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FCJGSqX_S_qbW9ssiZP2-w</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>November 1, 2024, Invasive Fruit Flies
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AlpT1JjyReqWqWhq574Pbg">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AlpT1JjyReqWqWhq574Pbg</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>December 6, 2024, Invasive Stink Bugs and More
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f99TFsQ6TceEQ5O30dZpFg">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f99TFsQ6TceEQ5O30dZpFg</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>January 3, 2025, Invasive Caterpillars on Vegetables
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4RdYRoUlT3WudQ9Jwr7kDA">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4RdYRoUlT3WudQ9Jwr7kDA</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>February 7, 2025, Invasive Scale Insects on Ornamental Plants
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1Y3MOURdTWq9j8EROJL37A">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1Y3MOURdTWq9j8EROJL37A</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>March 7, 2025, Invasive Pests on Citrus
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q9biU490TW6SY2viWHKtWA">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q9biU490TW6SY2viWHKtWA</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>April 4, 2025, Invasive Wood Boring Insects
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UkJ4HiofQv6bWNiyQS74tA">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UkJ4HiofQv6bWNiyQS74tA</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>May 2, 2025, Invasive Bark Beetles
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0uuz1knWT7WpMtMffWFMng">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0uuz1knWT7WpMtMffWFMng</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>June 6, 2025, Invasive Snails and More
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WAjoOU5_RXiSz3Z40Bw9_Q">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WAjoOU5_RXiSz3Z40Bw9_Q</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>July 11, 2025, Invasive Pests on Oaks, <strong>Note:</strong> This class was postponed to July 11th due to the 4th of July holiday falling on the first Friday in July.
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9q5nPv_eQ7i041xt6YXrNQ">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9q5nPv_eQ7i041xt6YXrNQ</a><br />
*<em>CEUs still pending FDACS approval*</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aug 1, 2025, Invasive Species on Palms
<ul>
<li>Registration: <a href="https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fLP2tD9TDWcZ-fOLp46lw">https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fLP2tD9TDWcZ-fOLp46lw</a><br />
*<em>CEUs still pending FDACS approval*</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>*Schedule subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.</p>
<h2>What is the cost?</h2>
<p>All of our First Friday Webinars are FREE! Yes, you heard that right. This is an amazing opportunity to learn and earn CEUs for free of charge.</p>
<h2>What CEUs are available?</h2>
<p>Continuing education units (CEUs) are also available for attendance for individuals that already have obtained their FDACS pesticide applicator license. Participants are also able to receive 1 CEU for FNGLA certified professionals and FL Water Star accredited professionals per webinar. To receive CEU credit, you must attend the full duration of the class and participate. Attendance will be verified. For CEU credit, <strong>each person needs to attend using their own electronic device.</strong></p>
<p>Each webinar has been approved for 1 CEU in the following FDACS Pesticide CEUs categories:</p>
<ul>
<li value="1">Ag row crop</li>
<li value="2">Ag tree crop</li>
<li value="3">Demonstration and research</li>
<li value="4">Forest pest control</li>
<li value="5">Limited commercial landscape maintenance (LCLM)</li>
<li value="6">Limited lawn and ornamental (LLO)</li>
<li value="7">Natural areas weed management</li>
<li value="8">Ornamental and turf</li>
<li value="9">Pest control operator (PCO) lawn and ornamental</li>
<li value="10">Private ag</li>
<li value="11">Right of way</li>
<li value="12">(Aquatic* available ONLY on Sept 6, 2024, Oct 4, 2024 and June 6, 2025)</li>
<li value="13">(Wood treatment* available ONLY on Apr 4, 2025 and May 2, 2025)</li>
</ul>
<p>Note: *<em>CEUs still pending FDACS approval*</em> for July 11, 2025 and August 1, 2025</p>
<h2>Questions?</h2>
<p>Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, <a href="mailto:morgan0402@ufl.edu">morgan0402@ufl.edu</a></p>
<p>Or</p>
<p>Visit the <a href="http://www.flfirstdetector.com/">Florida First Detector Website</a></p>


What is Florida First Detector?

Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals.
Our program is a cooperative effort between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), the University of Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program (CAPS), the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), Protect U.S. and the Sentinel Plant Network (SPN).
What is our First Friday Webinar Series?
On the first Friday of every month, we will have a one-hour webinar on a topic related to invasive species in Florida. An invasive species is a non-native species causing harm like economic losses, environmental damage or human/animal health hazards. The webinars are open to everyone and applicable to professionals and residents alike!
At each session, we will cover a different topic. We will be training you to be a First Detector, to help spot species that have not yet been introduced to Florida. We may also cover some species that are already causing issues in Florida and talk about current management strategies and methods to stop the spread. This series began in September of 2022 and will continue to at least August 2025.
What is the schedule for September 2024-2025?
This series began in September of 2022 and will continue to at least August 2025. We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2024-Aug 2025*. Sign up for one, two, more, or all of them!
September 6, 2024, Invasive Species in Florida

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WW0egrcKS4ui8gbkn3cqhA
October 4, 2024, Resources for Identification of Plant Problems

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FCJGSqX_S_qbW9ssiZP2-w
November 1, 2024, Invasive Fruit Flies

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AlpT1JjyReqWqWhq574Pbg
December 6, 2024, Invasive Stink Bugs and More

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f99TFsQ6TceEQ5O30dZpFg
January 3, 2025, Invasive Caterpillars on Vegetables

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4RdYRoUlT3WudQ9Jwr7kDA
February 7, 2025, Invasive Scale Insects on Ornamental Plants

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1Y3MOURdTWq9j8EROJL37A
March 7, 2025, Invasive Pests on Citrus

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q9biU490TW6SY2viWHKtWA
April 4, 2025, Invasive Wood Boring Insects

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UkJ4HiofQv6bWNiyQS74tA
May 2, 2025, Invasive Bark Beetles

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0uuz1knWT7WpMtMffWFMng
June 6, 2025, Invasive Snails and More

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WAjoOU5_RXiSz3Z40Bw9_Q
July 11, 2025, Invasive Pests on Oaks, Note: This class was postponed to July 11th due to the 4th of July holiday falling on the first Friday in July.

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9q5nPv_eQ7i041xt6YXrNQ
CEUs still pending FDACS approval*
Aug 1, 2025, Invasive Species on Palms

Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fLP2tD9TDWcZ-fOLp46lw
CEUs still pending FDACS approval*
*Schedule subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
What is the cost?
All of our First Friday Webinars are FREE! Yes, you heard that right. This is an amazing opportunity to learn and earn CEUs for free of charge.
What CEUs are available?
Continuing education units (CEUs) are also available for attendance for individuals that already have obtained their FDACS pesticide applicator license. Participants are also able to receive 1 CEU for FNGLA certified professionals and FL Water Star accredited professionals per webinar. To receive CEU credit, you must attend the full duration of the class and participate. Attendance will be verified. For CEU credit, each person needs to attend using their own electronic device.
Each webinar has been approved for 1 CEU in the following FDACS Pesticide CEUs categories:
Ag row crop
Ag tree crop
Demonstration and research
Forest pest control
Limited commercial landscape maintenance (LCLM)
Limited lawn and ornamental (LLO)
Natural areas weed management
Ornamental and turf
Pest control operator (PCO) lawn and ornamental
Private ag
Right of way
(Aquatic* available ONLY on Sept 6, 2024, Oct 4, 2024 and June 6, 2025)
(Wood treatment* available ONLY on Apr 4, 2025 and May 2, 2025)
Note: *CEUs still pending FDACS approval* for July 11, 2025 and August 1, 2025
Questions?
Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu
Or
Visit the Florida First Detector Website

What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals. Our […]

First Fridays with Florida First Detector, Coming again Sept 2024-2025!

Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually an island anymore), there are oyster-covered pilings just offshore. I explained to [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_39645" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39645" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-eggs-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-39645 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="275" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-eggs-3-300x275.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39645" class="wp-caption-text">Oyster drill egg sacs found near Pensacola Bay last week. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
<p>Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2022/07/27/weekly-what-is-it-deadmans-island/">Deadman’s Island</a> in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually an island anymore), there are oyster-covered pilings just offshore. I explained to the group that on those pilings are rings of oysters installed several years ago as an attempt to provide reef habitat. They also serve as a breakwater for a swiftly eroding piece of land. Back on the beach, a curious kid handed me a lightweight set of identical flaky, sand-colored husks that had the shape and feel of Rice Krispies cereal. Looking more closely, we saw dozens of pieces like this strewn along the beach.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39649" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39649" style="width: 238px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-texasam.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39649 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="238" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-texasam-238x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39649" class="wp-caption-text">Oyster drill snail. Photo credit: Texas A&amp;M</figcaption></figure>
<p>What he’d handed me were oyster drill egg cases. As their name implies, Oyster drills (<em>Stramonita haemastoma</em>) are predatory snails, which use a serrated <a href="https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/clambag/bio-sketch-snail-like.php#124">tonguelike radula to bore nearly perfect circles</a> into live oysters. The snails insert their proboscis, which consists of a mouth and esophagus, moving oyster tissue into the snail&#8217;s body for digestion. The proboscis may be as long as the entire oyster drill’s body. Oyster drills can attack full grown oysters, but are particularly devastating on the younger mollusks, with a <a href="https://dmr.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/oyster-drill-brochure.pdf">single drill able to eat up to 100 spat per day</a>.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39647" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39647" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-eggs-texasam.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39647 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-drill-eggs-texasam-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39647" class="wp-caption-text">A large mass of oyster drill eggs. Photo credit: Texas A &amp; M</figcaption></figure>
<p>Oyster drill snails spawn this time of year, in late spring, laying their eggs on hard surfaces just underwater. If they dislodge like the ones we found on the beach, they dry out and turn a yellowish purple color. The egg cases are produced in a consecutive string of connected tissue, extruded from the edges of the shell. The rows of egg sacs are reminiscent of long, skinny teeth. They are similar in form, but smaller, than the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2021/06/30/weekly-what-is-it-whelk-egg-cases/">circular whelk egg cases</a> also found on beaches.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39653" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39653" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-deadman-snorkel.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39653 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/oyster-deadman-snorkel-300x200.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39653" class="wp-caption-text">Local biologists snorkel on the oyster reefs at Deadman&#8217;s Island. Photo credit: Logan McDonald, Pensacola &amp; Perdido Bays Estuary Program</figcaption></figure>
<p>Almost immediately after the <a href="https://www.deadmansisland.org/">oyster reefs were installed adjacent</a> to the Deadman’s Island shoreline, they were plagued by oyster drills. In fact, many of the hermit crabs the kids collected were living in discarded oyster drill shells. The snails are native species in our coastal waters, although they are a huge nuisance for anyone doing reef restoration or oyster aquaculture. Many people associate the oyster drill with commercial oyster production and harvesting, but it is also a common predator of barnacles and razor clams. The snails don’t do well outside of the water, so barnacles positioned at higher ends of the tidal range will often avoid predation.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39655" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39655" style="width: 239px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/Japanese-oyster-drill-egg-casing-C.-Eardley-WDFW.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39655 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="239" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/06/Japanese-oyster-drill-egg-casing-C.-Eardley-WDFW-239x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39655" class="wp-caption-text">Japanese oyster drills and their eggs atop an oyster. Photo credit: C. Eardley, Washington Department of Fish and Widlife</figcaption></figure>
<p>There are two local varieties of <a href="https://txmarspecies.tamug.edu/invertdetails.cfm?scinameID=Stramonita%20haemastoma">oyster drills (also known as “rock shells”), </a><em>Stramonita haemastoma floridana and Stramonita haemastoma canaliculata. </em>The<em> canaliculata </em>variety is typically larger, with a “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beachcombers-Guide-Gulf-Coast-Marine/dp/1589790618">double row of large knob</a>s”   on its shell. There is debate among scientists whether these two are different enough to be subspecies, as snails that seem to be hybrids between the two varieties are present throughout the Gulf.  There are numerous species of snail with the same common name, including the <a href="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/atlantic-oyster-drill">Atlantic oyster drill (<em>Urosalpinx cinerea</em>)</a> and the invasive <a href="https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ocinebrellus-inornatus">Japanese oyster drill (<em>Ocinebrellus inornatus</em>)</a>. Oyster farmers and <a href="https://www.kenniscentrumtoerisme.nl/wiki/index.php/PR_00185">researchers in Washington state</a> are testing the usefulness of removing eggs vs. adult Japanese oyster drills from oyster beds. So far, results are showing that egg removal is the most effective means of controlling the predators.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Oyster drill egg sacs found near Pensacola Bay last week. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually an island anymore), there are oyster-covered pilings just offshore. I explained to the group that on those pilings are rings of oysters installed several years ago as an attempt to provide reef habitat. They also serve as a breakwater for a swiftly eroding piece of land. Back on the beach, a curious kid handed me a lightweight set of identical flaky, sand-colored husks that had the shape and feel of Rice Krispies cereal. Looking more closely, we saw dozens of pieces like this strewn along the beach.
Oyster drill snail. Photo credit: Texas A&M
What he’d handed me were oyster drill egg cases. As their name implies, Oyster drills (Stramonita haemastoma) are predatory snails, which use a serrated tonguelike radula to bore nearly perfect circles into live oysters. The snails insert their proboscis, which consists of a mouth and esophagus, moving oyster tissue into the snail’s body for digestion. The proboscis may be as long as the entire oyster drill’s body. Oyster drills can attack full grown oysters, but are particularly devastating on the younger mollusks, with a single drill able to eat up to 100 spat per day.
A large mass of oyster drill eggs. Photo credit: Texas A & M
Oyster drill snails spawn this time of year, in late spring, laying their eggs on hard surfaces just underwater. If they dislodge like the ones we found on the beach, they dry out and turn a yellowish purple color. The egg cases are produced in a consecutive string of connected tissue, extruded from the edges of the shell. The rows of egg sacs are reminiscent of long, skinny teeth. They are similar in form, but smaller, than the circular whelk egg cases also found on beaches.
Local biologists snorkel on the oyster reefs at Deadman’s Island. Photo credit: Logan McDonald, Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program
Almost immediately after the oyster reefs were installed adjacent to the Deadman’s Island shoreline, they were plagued by oyster drills. In fact, many of the hermit crabs the kids collected were living in discarded oyster drill shells. The snails are native species in our coastal waters, although they are a huge nuisance for anyone doing reef restoration or oyster aquaculture. Many people associate the oyster drill with commercial oyster production and harvesting, but it is also a common predator of barnacles and razor clams. The snails don’t do well outside of the water, so barnacles positioned at higher ends of the tidal range will often avoid predation.
Japanese oyster drills and their eggs atop an oyster. Photo credit: C. Eardley, Washington Department of Fish and Widlife
There are two local varieties of oyster drills (also known as “rock shells”), Stramonita haemastoma floridana and Stramonita haemastoma canaliculata. The canaliculata variety is typically larger, with a “double row of large knobs”   on its shell. There is debate among scientists whether these two are different enough to be subspecies, as snails that seem to be hybrids between the two varieties are present throughout the Gulf.  There are numerous species of snail with the same common name, including the Atlantic oyster drill (Urosalpinx cinerea) and the invasive Japanese oyster drill (Ocinebrellus inornatus). Oyster farmers and researchers in Washington state are testing the usefulness of removing eggs vs. adult Japanese oyster drills from oyster beds. So far, results are showing that egg removal is the most effective means of controlling the predators.

Last week, I took a group of kids on a beach walk at Deadman’s Island in Gulf Breeze. They picked up hermit crabs, watched shorebirds, and looked for interesting finds along the beach. Toward the east end of the peninsula (it’s not actually an island anymore), there are oyster-covered pilings just offshore. I explained to […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Oyster drill

Recap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look similar to a lot of other things that go wrong with plants [&#8230;]

<h2>Recap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector</h2>
<p>In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look similar to a lot of other things that go wrong with plants like water stress or nutritional deficiencies. Above ground, the symptoms of nematodes can look like yellowing, stunted growth, wilting, or thinning of plants. Below ground nematode symptoms can be stunted roots, deformed growth, dark or rotted roots, lesions or galls. To diagnose nematode issues, a nematode assay is required. the <a href="https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/nematology-assay-lab/">UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Lab</a> offers testing services if you suspect nematodes may be causing issues on your plants.</p>
<p>In this month&#8217;s first Friday webinar, we talked about a few invasive nematodes that we do not want to have in Florida including golden nematode, pale cyst nematode, chickpea cyst nematode, British root-knot nematode, and red ring nematode. All of these species could cause serious issues for Florida&#8217;s agriculture if introduced to the state. The best method of control for nematodes, like these species, is prevention. Nematodes are one of the reason that it is prohibited to move soil from other countries to the US. There are also many precautions in place to stop the spread of nematodes through the horticulture and agriculture industries. These include stringent quarantine measures, regular monitoring, use of certified nematode-free planting materials, and public awareness programs to educate growers and the public about the risks and management of invasive nematodes.</p>
<h3>Resources on Nematodes</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/nematology-assay-lab/">UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Laboratory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/golden-nematode">USDA Golden Nematode</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/pcn">USDA Pale Cyst Nematode</a></li>
<li><a href="https://download.ceris.purdue.edu/file/3042">CAPS Datasheet for Chickpea Cyst Nematode</a></li>
<li><a href="https://download.ceris.purdue.edu/file/3129">CAPS Datasheet for British Root-Knot Nematode</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/nematode_management?association=Lawn%20and%20Garden%20Care:%20Nematode%20Management&amp;audience=homeowner#LAWN_AND%20GARDEN%20CARE:%20NEMATODE%20MANAGEMENT">Ask IFAS, Nematode Management Articles</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN944">Ask IFAS, EDIS Entomopathogenic Nematodes</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Want to watch the recording?</h2>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector: Invasive Nematodes" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R1wpckBYAzA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h2>What is the upcoming schedule?</h2>
<p>We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the <strong>First Friday</strong> of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2024. Please visit <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/2023/07/17/first-fridays-with-ffd-24/">this blog</a> for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept 2023-2024. The links to our next cycle of webinars (September 2024 &#8211; August 2025) should be available soon, so be on the lookout for this in the near future!</p>
<h2>Questions?</h2>
<p>Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, <a href="mailto:morgan0402@ufl.edu">morgan0402@ufl.edu</a></p>
<p>Or</p>
<p>Visit the <a href="http://www.flfirstdetector.com/">Florida First Detector Website</a></p>


Recap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look similar to a lot of other things that go wrong with plants like water stress or nutritional deficiencies. Above ground, the symptoms of nematodes can look like yellowing, stunted growth, wilting, or thinning of plants. Below ground nematode symptoms can be stunted roots, deformed growth, dark or rotted roots, lesions or galls. To diagnose nematode issues, a nematode assay is required. the UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Lab offers testing services if you suspect nematodes may be causing issues on your plants.
In this month’s first Friday webinar, we talked about a few invasive nematodes that we do not want to have in Florida including golden nematode, pale cyst nematode, chickpea cyst nematode, British root-knot nematode, and red ring nematode. All of these species could cause serious issues for Florida’s agriculture if introduced to the state. The best method of control for nematodes, like these species, is prevention. Nematodes are one of the reason that it is prohibited to move soil from other countries to the US. There are also many precautions in place to stop the spread of nematodes through the horticulture and agriculture industries. These include stringent quarantine measures, regular monitoring, use of certified nematode-free planting materials, and public awareness programs to educate growers and the public about the risks and management of invasive nematodes.
Resources on Nematodes
UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Laboratory
USDA Golden Nematode
USDA Pale Cyst Nematode
CAPS Datasheet for Chickpea Cyst Nematode
CAPS Datasheet for British Root-Knot Nematode
Ask IFAS, Nematode Management Articles
Ask IFAS, EDIS Entomopathogenic Nematodes
Want to watch the recording?

What is the upcoming schedule?
We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2024. Please visit this blog for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept 2023-2024. The links to our next cycle of webinars (September 2024 – August 2025) should be available soon, so be on the lookout for this in the near future!
Questions?
Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu
Or
Visit the Florida First Detector Website

Recap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look similar to a lot of other things that go wrong with plants […]

June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector

Non-Native Species

Especies no nativas 

<p>Extension scientist and director, Doctor of Plant Medicine program, UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gainesville, FL 32611.<br /><a href="http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/people-directory/amanda-hodges/">department profile</a><br /><a href="http://vivo.ufl.edu/display/n54351">VIVO profile</a></p>

Hodges, Amanda C.

Bell, Emily C.

Miller, Melissa

Invasive Wildlife

Invasive Plants

Invasive Invertebrates

<p><span>Interspecific competition where native species are competing with nonnative species for resources (e.g., nutrients, space, water, etc.)</span></p>

Especies invasivas

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