Scary Looking Creature - Owlfly Larva

This very interesting insect is a voracious predator and therefore beneficial. At this stage of its life it hides out in the bark of trees and under rocks. Its adult form is completely different looking. I think the larva is very impressive with those huge spiked mandibles.
Link to more about the owlfly and picture of the adult. Wikipedia site.

Heat Stroke Claims Life

Thirty-three year old man dies of heat stroke article

Save your life and maybe someone else's by knowing how to lessen the effects of heat, knowing the signs of heat stress, and knowing what to do if someone is in distress. See this website for more details.

GI-BMP Instructor Training Class

Do you want to be a BMP trainer so you can teach your employees or others? Now is your chance.

Charlotte County is holding a class on September 22, 2011 at the UF/IFAS Charlotte Cooperative Extension Service
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Registration Required

To register, please complete the Application Form which can be found at this website by following the eligibility criteria, and submit to Alberto Chavez by no later than Monday, September 19, 2011.

After reviewing the application and determining that you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive an email confirmation and additional class information.

Becoming a certified GI-BMP instructor is a 4 step process:

1. Attend a GI-BMP class and pass the test with a minimum score of 90%
2. Apply to become an instructor by meeting the eligibility requirements and completing the application form
3. Attend the GI-BMP Instructor Training class and pass the test with a minimum score of 75%
4. Co-train with an experienced instructor

If you have questions please contact Alberto Chavez at Alberto.Chavez@dep.state.fl.us or 239-417-6310 x222.

Class Schedule

I hope you received my brochure in the snail mail, but if you didn't...

Upcoming classes include:

1. "Roundup" Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance pesticide training class or Limited Lawn and Ornamental Review (no CEUs);

2. Green Industry (fertilizer/pesticide) Best Management Practices (4 CEUs);

3. Palm Management in the Florida Landscape (to register contact Dr. Elliott at melliott@ufl.edu, or by phone 954-577-6315) Class cost is $300.00;

4. Last Call CEU Update: Fumigation/termites/GHP/Core and Lawn/turf/ornamental CEUs offered (2 CEUs per category).

To register for classes (except Dr. Elliott's) visit this website.

Pest Alert - Passionvine mealybug

Another new pest has been found in South Florida which means we need to be on the lookout for it here too. If you purchase plants from South Florida it is important to check plants carefully for this possible pest, as well as any other pests.

Link to the site about the passionvine mealybug.

Fig Whitefly Causing Damage

The first symptoms are the leaves turn yellow, then they drop off. Ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a whitefly infestation. If the foliage is disturbed the small, white gnat-like adult whiteflies can be seen flying from the foliage.

This whitefly has been most commonly found infesting weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) but has also been seen on F. altissima, F. bengalensis (also called “banyan tree”), F. microcarpa, and F. maclellandii in Miami. Weeping figs are commony used as hedges but also grow as trees. Other hosts include the strangler fig (F. aurea), Cuban laurel (F. microcarpa), fiddle-leaf fig (F. lyrata) and banana-leaf fig (F. macllandii).

Insecticides with systemic properties may be very useful in whitefly control because they can be applied as a drench to the soil and many times provide longer lasting control. These insecticides include the neonicotinoids [Celero (clothianadin), Flagship/Meridian (thiamethoxam), Marathon/Merit (imidacloprid), and dinotefuran (Safari)]. These products also tend to be less disruptive to the natural enemies. After drenching, apply foliar sprays as needed if whiteflies are present.

In addition to the neonicotinoid insecticides listed above, insecticides that can be applied to the foliage for whitefly control include Aria (flonicamid), Avid (Abamectin), Azadirachtin, Distance (pyriproxyfen), Endeavor (pymentrozine), Endosulfan, Judo (spiromesifen), Talus (buprofenzin), and Tristar (acetamiprid). Rotation of insecticides among different modes of action is critical in the management of pests and is especially important for whiteflies that have been shown to develop resistance to insecticides. If plants have received a neonicotinoid drench, DO NOT spray with another insecticide in this group.

For more information see the DPI Pest Alert; UF/IFAS Fact Sheet