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.
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Editorial Team
- Elena Rhodes - Editor
- Heather McAuslane - Chair, Approver
- Susan Gildersleeve - ICS Editor
RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS
Plant-Feeding Mites in Citrus
IN1374/ENY2082by L. M. Diepenbrock, J. D. Burrow, and D. CarrilloJanuary 24th, 2023This document discusses the identification of common citrus mites. Written by L. M. Diepenbrock, J. D. Burrow, and D. Carrillo and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department; 2 pp.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Cover Crops for Managing Root-Knot Nematodes
IN892/ENY063 by Harsimran K. Gill, Zane J. Grabau, and Robert McSorleyJanuary 2nd, 2023Cover crops are grown between cash crop cycles or incorporated with cash crops to improve soil fertility and structure, decrease soil erosion, and suppress weeds, insects, nematodes, and other plant pathogens. Cover crop residues can be incorporated as “green manure” to increase soil fertility for the next crop. Cover crops also help to enhance many beneficial organisms and may contribute to carbon sequestration. They help curtail the spread of nematodes because nematodes cannot migrate to another field if a cover crop is not a host to them. Instead, some of them may starve, which helps to manage their population. Fallow soil also helps keep nematode populations lower, but it may lead to erosion and other problems. Many different types of cover crops are adapted for cultivation in the southern United States, including cowpea, sorghum-sudangrass, sunn hemp, marigolds, jointvetch, sesame, grasses, rye, wheat, oats, crimson clover, vetch, lupine, and, of late, legumes.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
How to Obtain an Aldicarb Application Permit for Florida Cotton or Peanut
IN1388/ENY2095by Zane J. Grabau, Ethan Carter, Libbie Johnson, Jay Ferrell, Dale Dubberly, and Tamara JamesDecember 19th, 2022This publication is intended to guide growers through the process of applying for a free permit to use aldicarb, an insecticide/nematicide subject to particular restrictions because of its highly toxic nature and concerns about groundwater contamination when it is improperly applied. Aldicarb is currently labeled only for cotton and peanut in Florida. It is a restricted-use pesticide; thus applicators must have a current and valid private or commercial Florida pesticide applicator’s license with a row crop category designation and must obtain an aldicarb permit from Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services before applying this product in Florida. This publication provides a guide to the permit application process for aldicarb.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Wax Scale on Southern Highbush Blueberries in Florida
IN1387/ENY-2094by Oscar E. Liburd and Doug PhillipsDecember 19th, 2022Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis, is an insect pest causing damage on plants throughout much of the United States, including Florida, where it can be found infesting southern highbush blueberries. This publication is intended to inform Florida blueberry growers about this pest and to discuss management and control alternatives.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Common Arthropod Pests in Blackberries and Pomegranates in Florida
IN1376/ENY-2084by Chastity Perry, Hugh Smith, Zhanao Deng, and Sriyanka LahiriDecember 12th, 2022Blackberry and pomegranate are growing in importance as alternative crops in Florida. In the past decade, blackberry production in Florida increased from 64 acres in 2007 to 173 acres in 2017. The many health benefits acquired from these fruits make them good alternative options for growers in Florida to diversify their operations by planting some new and less traditional crops, providing them a niche in the Florida agriculture market. The intended audience of this publication includes blackberry and pomegranate growers in Florida as well as Extension agents providing expert recommendations to both these industries. The purpose of this publication is to share information derived from a one-year field survey on commonly encountered pests.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
