by Brooke Saari | Mar 10, 2013
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: March 3rd – March 8th
March 10th: Palmer Amaranth (Palmer amaranth) & Nutria (Myocastor coypus):
Image courtesy of University of Illinois Extension
Palmer Amaranth: Palmer Amaranth, a type of pigweed, is invading the Southeast. It is a very troublesome weed for us because it is fast growing, produces a lot of seed and easily develops herbicide resistance. Palmer is a summer annual weed that can grow up to 10 feet tall. Each female plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds. Populations of this weed have developed resistance to 4 different classes of herbicides, including glyphosate or “Round-Up”. There are other types of pigweed in Florida, such as spiny and redroot pigweed, so you must be able to positively distinguish Palmer Amaranth from others.
Here are the main differences:
1. Petioles (or stalks joining leaves to the stem) are as long or longer than the leaf blades.
2. The plant has long terminal inflorescence (cluster of flowers on top of the stem).
3. They have prominent white veins on the lower surface of the leaves.
4. They have hairless leaves.
5. They are faster growing than other pigweeds.
If you have identified palmer amaranth in your field, treat with glyphosate. If the pigweed survives, then quickly hand-weed the female plants as soon as possible. Even if just a few plants survive this year, next year you could have thousands more. Palmer Amaranth is very difficult to control but by employing sound IPM principles it can be managed. Refer to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag346 for identification and control measures.
For more information contact the author Jennifer Bearden, Agriculture Extension Agent, 850-689-5850.
Photo Courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife National Digital Library
Nutria: This large rodent resembles a beaver but has a round tail. They are originally from South America and were brought to the United States for the fur business. Nutria are completely vegetarian and feed on both land and aquatic plants. Their small forelimbs are used to dig out roots and rhizomes and they can eat their own weight in plants each day. Feeding occurs anytime but is most often at dawn and dusk. From their initial release in Louisiana they have spread all over the Gulf coast. There are reports of them in the Chesapeake Bay area, Ohio, and along the Oregon coast. They become sexually mature very quickly (4-9 months) and have a short gestation period (130 days). Breeding year around a single female can produce 2.5 litters each year so in a short period of time high numbers of nutria can completely clear a densely vegetated area. Another problem with them is their ability to burrow into dikes and levees, making them weaker. Their occurrence in Florida has been spotty, with 45 individuals being recorded. There are records in all Florida panhandle counties except Bay.
For more information, contact the author Rick O’Connor, Sea Grant/Marine Sciences Agent 850-475-5230.
by Brooke Saari | Mar 3, 2013
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: March 3rd – March 8th
March 3rd: Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum) & Lionfish (Pterois volitans):
Tropical Soda Apple Photo Credit: Jeffrey Mullahey, UF, Bugwood.org
Tropical Soda Apple: Florida ranchers know Tropical Soda Apple (TSA) as the “Plant from Hell.” It was first noticed in south Florida, but its seeds survive in the digestive tracts of animals and it spread north through the movement of hay and cattle. TSA plants are covered with thorns and can make large sections of pasture nearly useless for livestock. Concerted efforts to lessen the population of TSA since its arrival have reduced the populations in pastures but it persists in sheltered or waste locations. Cattle, birds, deer and feral hogs ingest the mature fruits and spread the plants to loafing and browsing areas that may be inaccessible to mechanical treatment with anything larger than a hoe. According to Dr. Jeff Mullahey, who has been working on TSA since its appearance in south Florida, one plant can produce 40,000-50,000 seeds with seed germination ranging from 75%-100%. The seeds remain viable for at least three years. Be on the lookout for these while engaged in outdoor activities.
Isolated plants can be controlled by mechanical means. You won’t want to pull them up barehanded, though. Additional information and control methods are available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw097, or contact your local Extension agent.
For more information contact the author Jed Dillard, Livestock & Forages Extension Agent by phone at 850-342-0187
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Lionfish: The Red Lionfish is a non-native invasive predatory reef fish that has spread throughout Florida waters. Lionfish are members of the family Scorpaenidae; all members are venomous and the lionfish is no exception. This fish is relatively small, typically ranging from 12-15 inches in length with a zebra-like appearance and long, showy pectoral fins. They have a row of long, dorsal spines that contain venom glands. Their native range is the South Pacific and Indian Oceans and preferred habitat is on offshore reef structures. These fish are considered to be voracious eaters feeding on native fish, reducing vital native populations, and competing for food with native fish such as grouper and snapper.
Lionfish, Photo Credit: Rebekah D. Wallace, UGA, Bugwood.org
With few predators, these fish are thriving in Florida waters, even in the northern Gulf of Mexico. They reproduce often, sometimes all year, with their eggs hatching after about two days. They also consume a variety of local species, causing 80% decline in reef fish recruitment and loss of some economically important species. These fish are able to expand their stomachs for large meals and can survive starvation for over 12 weeks. These fish are an invasive species in our local waters and removal is encouraged. The most effective control of this species is removal by human. These fish are cryptic and nocturnal so locating them can be tricky. Spearfishing is the method of choice, since lionfish rarely bite a hook and line. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) changed regulations to increase harvesting opportunities. Such changes include no requirement for a recreational fishing license when using spearing devices (pole spear, a Hawaiian Sling, handheld net, or spearing devices marked for use on lionfish), and no recreational or commercial bag limit, though recreational fishing license is required for other fishing methods. Check the FWC regulations before fishing or diving for these species.
Lionfish are venomous and must be handled carefully. Venom glands occur on the dorsal, pelvic and anal spines. Lionfish sightings should be reported at 877.786.7267. If stung seek medical attention as soon as possible. Rarely are stings fatal unless the person has an allergy to the venom. The Poison Help Hotline can be reached at 800.222.1222. Sighting information is being collected to track the movement of these species. Fill out the online report on the USGS website or the REEF website. Stay up to date on research as it pertains to this species at www.flseagrant.org.
For more information contact the author Brooke Saari, Sea Grant Marine Science Extension Agent, 850-689-5850
by Rick O'Connor | Nov 26, 2012
The Invasion of the Lionfish
(Photo: Florida Sea Grant)
It is a song that has been played in our state time and again. An exotic pet or plant is brought across our borders and either intentionally or accidentally released into the environment. Tropical fish, exotic reptiles, and nonnative mammals escape and the next thing you know they are wandering the neighborhood.
In many cases these non-natives are just another part of the landscape but some species they become invasive and cause economic or environmental problems. There are many examples of invasives in Florida; iguanas, fire ants, Chinese tallow, Japanese climbing fern, and most recently – Burmese pythons. The states of Florida and Hawaii have the largest problems with these creatures thus they
have some of the toughest laws dealing with them; there is a $1000 fine for releasing in Florida. These creatures find plenty of food, few predators, and warm temperatures year round. It is no different in the Gulf of Mexico. Many tropical fish released into our waters do not survive the winters or the high salinities, but conditions are great for the lionfish.
The lionfish is from the western Pacific and range from Micronesia to the southern shores of Japan. They are cryptic and nocturnal in habit so detection difficult. They are found primarily on offshore reefs and feed on a variety of small fishes, shrimps, and crabs; they have few natural predators.
So how did they get here?
It is believed that the lionfish issue began with the aquarium trade. The most popular explanation for their release is the destruction of housing during the heavy hurricane seasons. The earliest record of a lionfish in Florida was in 1985 in the town of Dania. The first records in the northern Gulf were in 2010 when lionfish were seen in Apalachicola and Pensacola.
Are they invasive?
The answer is yes. These fish are voracious feeders consuming over 50 species of reef fishes, shrimps, crabs, and some accounts show them feeding on small spiny lobsters; many are economically important to us.
So what do we do about it?
The method of choice at the moment is removal by humans. Lionfish do not typically bite a hook so the most effective method is spearfishing. Many areas are hosting “Lionfish Rodeos” which reward divers for returning as many as possible. A rodeo held in Destin during the summer of 2012 landed 81 lionfish in a single day. On August 3, 2012 the state of Florida issued an executive order that will allow spear fishermen to capture lionfish without a saltwater license and no bag limit. This executive order will be effective for one year. Some communities consume lionfish and their flavor rating is good. However the FDA reported that lionfish live and feed on similar prey that many species of reef fish that develop ciguatera do. Though there have been no confirmed reports of ciguatera in lionfish there is a risk.
You can read more on this article at http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/marine/2012/08/17/the-invasion-of-the-lionfish or contact the Sea Grant agent at your local extension office.
by Scott Jackson | Nov 21, 2012
Forest management? Wild Life Habitat? History?
No matter what your interest, the December 6 Forest Stewardship Tour at Waukeenah Plantation in southern Jefferson County will give you an onsite vision of developing a forest on your property. Waukeenah Plantation was purchased by its current owners just a little over twenty-five years ago. Since then, pines have replaced pastures and the property is being managed for timber production and wildlife habitat. The day’s program will be hosted by the Florida-Georgia Game Management Series and the University of Florida Forest Stewardship program and will feature how habitat can be developed and enhanced in a relatively short time.
This is just the latest change in the use of this land. Long before Hernando deSoto camped here, indigenous peoples enjoyed the clear streams and fertile lands near the Cody Scarp. In the early nineteenth century, planter Robert Gamble set up the original Waukeenah Plantation. In addition to the recently planted pines, the site boasts hardwoods in the creek bottoms. Tour stops will visit both and discuss the management of each to enhance wildlife habitat. Tour leaders will include speakers from the University of Florida and University of Georgia Extension Services, the Florida Department of Forestry, National Wild Turkey Federation, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Florida Public Archeology Network.
For more information, contact Jed Dillard at dillardjed@ufl.edu or 850-342-0187. Register online at http://flgaextgamemgmt2012.eventbrite.com/# . Registration is limited and required.
