IFAS News
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - University of Florida
Archive for May, 2007
Micro Irrigation
May 25, 2007
Topic(s): CALS, Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Stand-Alone Photos
Stand Alone Photo (No Story Available)
Dissappearing Bees
May 25, 2007
Topic(s): Entomology and Nematology, Stand-Alone Photos
Stand Alone Photo (No Story Available)
Horse racing road apples might soon turn a shiny profit
May 24, 2007
Topic(s): Agriculture, Conservation, Economics, Florida Friendly, Pollution
By:
Stu Hutson 352-392-0400Source(s):
Lori Warren lkwarren@ufl.edu, 352-392-1957
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On June 9, the final horse race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, will run. But there’ll be more than confetti to pick up afterwards.
Horse tracks like Belmont Park produce up to 600 cubic feet of manure a day—with or without a race. Add to that the thousands of horse farms around the country and you have one big problem. (more…)
Floriculture
May 16, 2007
Topic(s): Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Stand-Alone Photos
Stand Alone Photo (No Story Available)
UF Researchers test natural predators to control sago palm threat
May 10, 2007
Topic(s): Biocontrols, Entomology and Nematology, Invasive Species, Pests
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Ronald Cave rdcave@ufl.edu, 772-468-3922 ext. 145
Catharine Mannion cmannion@ufl.edu, 305-246-7001 ext. 220
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a prime example of how an exotic insect can wreak havoc on landscape plants and cause millions of dollars in damage, the Asian cycad scale has invaded South Florida and quickly spread throughout the state.
The tiny pest’s only host is the cycad – also called a sago palm – and experts say the scale is probably the single most important threat to wild cycad populations around the world. (more…)
Hurricane Force Air Cannon
May 8, 2007
Topic(s): Disaster Preparedness, Stand-Alone Photos, Weather
Stand Alone Photo (No Story Available)
Finding too-small-to-see bedbugs no problem for these sniffers, UF researchers say
May 2, 2007
Topic(s): Entomology and Nematology, Families and Consumers, Household Pests
By:
Mickie Anderson (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Pepe Peruyero pepe@jkk9.com, 386-454-3647
Phil Koehler ppgk@ufl.edu, 352-392-2484
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — At the sound of a bag of treats being latched onto her handler’s waist, she bounds up and down, as if on springs.
Nine-pound Nudie’s feet skitter across the concrete floor as she speeds by, keeping her tiny nose to the ground. She scurries around the perimeter of a bed, then hops on top. (more…)
Ladybug Release
May 1, 2007
Topic(s): Biocontrols, Entomology and Nematology, Environment, Lawn & Garden, Stand-Alone Photos
Stand Alone Photo (No Story Available)
Arsenic-Absorbing Fern May Soak Up Toxic Metal to Repel Hungry Bugs, UF Researchers Say
May 1, 2007
Topic(s): Agriculture, Biocontrols, Entomology and Nematology, Environment, Pests, Research
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the struggle for survival, plants are often at the mercy of hungry animals - but one fern has turned the tables by using poisonous arsenic to reduce its appeal, say University of Florida researchers.
A UF study published online April 24 by the journal New Phytologist showed starving grasshoppers shunned Chinese brake fern - one of several fern species known to store arsenic - when the plants contained large quantities of the toxic heavy metal. It is the first published study showing that arsenic accumulated in plant tissue deters predators. (more…)
