Natural Enemies of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

Is rugose spiraling whitefly making your plants look like a mess?  Insecticides are expensive and pesticide resistance can occur.  Maybe using natural enemies to control this new exotic pest is worth a try.  See this new publication from the University of Florida/IFAS:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1004

Picture taken by Kim Gabel, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County

Fall CEU Update

Need CEUs for renewal of your pesticide license?

For Aquatic CEUs sign up for our Monday, September 30, 2013 class.  Go to this link to register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/event/7845900299

We've also got CEUs for General Household Pest (GHP), Termite, Limited Structural, Fumigation, Lawn/Turf/Ornamental categories and Core.

For GHP, Termite, Limited Structural, Fumigation and Core CEUs register for our Tuesday, October 22, 2013 classes.  Go to this link to register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/event/5587719018

For Lawn/Turf/Ornamental categories and Core CEUs register for our Wednesday, October 30, 2013 classes.  Go to this link to register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/event/5587917612

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Turfgrass Pest Management Class

Foundations of Turfgrass Pest Management class is offered (Sept. 18-20).  The same agenda (see below) will be repeated on November 6-8.  Both programs will be held at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka.  There will be a Foundations of Tree and Shrub Pest Management on Oct. 2-4, and the Master's of Turfgrass Pest Management is on Dec. 18-20.  I have 14 CEUs for each of the Turf Foundation programs.  Registration for all L&O programs is through the PMU website (http://pmu.ifas.ufl.edu/courses/6).  If you know of folks who might be interested in participating in the course, you are welcome to forward them to me (352-273-3976; eabuss@ufl.edu) or the website. 

Thank you,

Eileen Buss
UF/IFAS
Associate Professor
Landscape and Turfgrass Entomology

Foundations of Turfgrass Pest Management

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Time	Activity
7:30-8:00 am	Registration
8:00-8:30 am	Introduction – Pre-test – Objectives of Training – Manuals
8:30-9:10 am	Paul Mitola, FDACS Environmental Specialist III Licensing and CEU requirements for Chapters 482 FS and 487 FS
9:10-9:50 am	Don Grant, FDACS Environmental Specialist II Vehicle inspection (outdoor) How to avoid common mistakes that may result in fines: Presence of ID card, proper vehicle identification, general vehicle safety, proper labeling and storage of pesticides and equipment,
9:50-10:05 am	Break
10:05-11:00 am	Paul Mitola, FDACS Environmental Specialist III Navigating the label, MSDS, and PPE (indoor) Labels: Merit 0.5G, Talstar P, Arena 50WDG, Allectus SC
11:00-12:00 pm	Paul Mitola Pesticide spill drill (outdoor) (Max. of 5 people per group, for four spills)
12:00-12:30 pm	Lunch (provided)
12:30-1:00 pm	Dr. Eileen Buss, Associate Professor of Entomology, UF/IFAS Turfgrass Integrated Pest Management (indoor) What it is and why we do it Consumer education about “Plant Health Care”
1:00-1:30 pm	Dr. Eileen Buss IPM scouting kit and methods of sampling (outdoor) Soil and nutrient sampling, moisture sensors, “active” vs. “passive” traps, and preserving and submitting samples
1:30-2:00 pm	Matt Lenhardt, Commercial Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Brevard Co. Extension Outdoor exercise: Equipment calibration and math
2:00-2:15 pm	Break
2:15-3:15 pm	Dr. Eileen Buss Pesticide formulations, chemical classes, & pesticide resistance management
3:15-4:45 pm	John Riley, Pumptec Eastern Region Outdoor exercises: Groups rotate through a demonstration or practice using different pieces of equipment (45 minutes/station) for granular and liquid application best practices
4:45-5:00 pm	Evaluation
5:00 pm	Dismiss
Thursday, September 19, 2013
7:45-8:00 am		Registration
8:00-9:00 am		Dr. Laurie Trenholm, Professor, Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Common turfgrass anatomy, species, varieties and maintenance requirements (mowing, thatch management, mechanical and chemical edging, etc.)
9:00-10:00 am		Dr. Laurie Trenholm Abiotic (non-living) turfgrass problems and stresses
10:00-10:15 am		Break
10:15-11:15 am		Dr. Philip Harmon, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology Common turf diseases: signs & symptoms, management
11:15-12:00		Matt Lenhardt Common weed identification and management
12:00-12:30 pm		Lunch Break
12:30-2:00 pm		Dr. Eileen Buss Common turf insect pests: identification, damage and management Observe specimens and damage with dissecting scopes “Who Am I” activity
2:00-2:15 pm		Break
2:15-4:45 pm		Dr. Don Rainey, Sarasota County Extension, GI-BMP Coordinator Green Industries Best Management Practices
4:45-5:00 pm		Evaluation
5:00 pm		Dismiss

Friday, September 20, 2013

7:45-8:00 am	Registration
8:00-8:30 am	Paul Mitola and Eileen Buss Review, Questions and Answers
8:30-9:30 am	Paul Mitola and Eileen Buss Outdoor exercise: Hand-spreader calibration
9:30-9:45 am	Break
9:45-11:00 am	Paul Mitola and Eileen Buss Case studies, discussion, and developing an IPM plan
11:00-11:30 am	Paul Mitola and Eileen Buss Post-test and Evaluation
11:30-12:00	CEU forms, Graduation and Photos