Indian River REC

Lisa Krimsky, Ed Phlips, and Karl Havens

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for General Public audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Natural resources operations and Invasive Species

Jesse Von Linden, Joshua T. Patterson, Cortney L. Ohs, and Matthew A. DiMaggio

Joshua T. Patterson, Cortney L. Ohs, yMatthew A. DiMaggio

W. A. Overholt, R. D. Cave, P. D. Pratt, P. C. Lake, and J. C. Scoles

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for General Public audience(s). This document provides a comprehensive overview of the American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii. It covers the insect's life cycle, physical characteristics, and ecological impact, particularly its role as a pest in greenhouses and vegetable crops. The article details its host plants, damage caused by leaf mining, and natural enemies, including parasitoids. Management strategies such as sampling, insecticides, biological control, and cultural practices are discussed to mitigate its impact. The document is part of the UF/IFAS Extension's Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons and academic audiences interested in entomology. First published: July 2004.

Carey Minteer, Eutychus Kariuki, and James Cuda

Invasive plants are non-native plant species that cause harm in their introduced range. Classical biological control of invasive plants is the use of natural enemies, imported insects and mites or pathogens, to control the target plants. This publication explains the strategies and rules in place to ensure that organisms released for the biological control of weeds are safe and effective.

Victor J. Blanco Marquez, Cortney L. Ohs, Nicole Rhody, yRonald Hans

Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana, is a perciform within the order Perciformes, family Carangidae; which includes jacks and pompanos. They are members of the genus Seriola, a species of interest for aquaculture diversification worldwide. Like other commercially farmed Seriola species, almaco jack (also known as longfin yellowtail and kampachi) are fast growers, have a high market value, and are increasingly well-regarded among chefs for their versatility in both cooked and raw preparations. These characteristics, among others, have made them favorable candidates for both land-based and offshore aquaculture.

Lena A. Donnarumma, Brittany J. Scharf, Jeffrey E. Hill, yCortney L. Ohs

The American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is a member of the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Chelicerata, and class Merostomata. Although there are four horseshoe crab species worldwide, the American horseshoe crab is primarily found in the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast of North America. The species ranges from Maine to Mexico, but is absent between Texas in the United States and Tabasco in Mexico. They mainly inhabit estuarine areas; however, juveniles and adults can venture into the shallow oceanic environments. Embryo development occurs in the intertidal zone of sandy beaches. Sandy or muddy bottom habitats are necessary for burrowing and benthic feeding. This publication will cover their natural history, aquaculture techniques, common diseases, and their uses and markets.  

Cortney L. Ohs, Jeffrey E. Hill, Sarah E. Wright, H. Mae Giddings, and Allison L. Durland Donahou

Arapaima Arapaima gigas, also known as paiche and pirarucu, is a large South American freshwater fish with unique biology, favorable aquaculture characteristics, and potential for production in south Florida. This publication provides Arapaima gigas biology, specific culture methods known for each stage of development, and information about diseases and parasites, markets, and the laws associated with this species to potential Florida producers.

Joshua T. Patterson, Cortney L. Ohs, yMatthew A. DiMaggio

Cortney L. Ohs, Christian L. Miller, yR. LeRoy Creswell

This publication describes these crosses between striped bass and white bass, commonly called sunshine bass and palmetto bass — geographical distribution and habitat, phases of production, pond, cage, and tank production, feeding, water quality, and marketing.

Cortney L. Ohs, Scott W. Grabe, and Matthew A. DiMaggio

Akshara Athelly, Sandra M. Guzmán, Yvette Goodiel, yYilin Zhuang

This publication provides an overview of the soil moisture sensor-related cost-share programs available in Florida, summarizing eligibility, timelines, application steps, and relative benefits to help growers navigate available financial support efficiently. Written by Akshara Athelly, Sandra M. Guzmán, Yvette Goodiel, and Yilin Zhuang, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2025.

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Mark A. Ritenour, Mercy Olmstead, Ali Sarkhosh, Jose X. Chaparro, Jerry A. Bartz, Steven Sargent, yJohn J. Vansickle

Stonefruits grown commercially in Florida include peaches, nectarines, and plums. This publication is directed to current and potential stonefruit growers, handlers, and marketers, as well as researchers, Extension agents, students, and consumers. It provides information about the Florida stonefruit industry, stonefruit cultivars that are suitable for Florida, stonefruit postharvest physiology and pathology, fruit quality, and recommended postharvest handling and marketing practices.

Eduart Murcia and Sandra M. Guzmán

This publication is intended for scientists, technicians, and decision-makers who want to start using machine learning (ML) in their projects. It provides an overview of the factors that should be considered when employing ML applications with time series (TS) data as input. Written by Eduart Murcia and Sandra M. Guzmán, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2024.

Daniel Palacios-Linares, Sandra M. Guzmán, Amir Rezazadeh, Liliana M. Cano, Lorenzo Rossi, yAlan L. Wright

This publication addresses the influence of irrigation scheduling on water use, plant growth, and development for young pongamia trees (Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi). Written by Daniel Palacios, Sandra M. Guzmán, Amir Rezazadeh, Liliana M. Cano, Lorenzo Rossi, and Alan Wright, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2023.

F. Allen Dray Jr., Octavio Menocal, Rosemary Murray, Eric Rohrig, and Carey Minteer

This publication provides an in-depth profile of the air potato bulbil beetle (suggested common name), a new biological control agent of the air potato vine. It is intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Kristen Bowers, Melissa Smith, and Carey Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

W. A. Overholt, R. Diaz, M. Hanson, D. Williams, B. A. Sellers, and J. P. Cuda

Eric Herrera, Sandra M. Guzmán, Eduart Murcia, y Daniel Palacios

Esta guía esta orientada para personal de extensión que pueda encontrar preguntas de los productores acerca del funcionamiento y precisión de sensores de humedad del suelo (SMSs) para producción de arboles frutales. La información en este documento permitirá a los especialistas de extensión responder algunas preguntas generales acerca de los SMSs. Esta publicación se enfoca en dos tipos de sensores portátiles usados actualmente en Florida para manejo de irrigación en cítricos y otros arboles: El oscilador de línea de transmisión (TLO) y el transmisometro en el dominio del tiempo (TDT) por sus siglas en ingles. Para detalles acerca de SMSs no descritos en esta publicación o alguna marca de SMS en particular, personal de extensión puede consultar los autores o un especialista de irrigación local.

Mark A. Ritenour, William M. Miller, yWilfred F Wardowski

This document is Cir 1170, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date August 2003.

Emily J. Le Falchier and Carey R. Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Jason Broach, Cortney L. Ohs, yIsaac Lee

Artemia (brine shrimp) are good food for larval fish, but they have to be removed from their shells before many species can eat them. The process can be time- and labor-intensive, especially since it is often performed every day. Fortunately, this fact sheet describes a method for storing a 7-day supply of the brine shrimp that will allow the task to be done just once a week.

Amber L. Garr, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, R. Leroy Creswell, Frank A. Chapman, Brian E. Myers, Elisa J. Livengood, and Carlos V. Martinez

A UF/IFAS numbered Curriculum. Published by Aquaculture

Frank A. Chapman, Carlos V. Martinez, Cortney L. Ohs, Brian E. Myers, Eliza J. Livengood, Craig S. Kasper, Amber L. Garr, yR. LeRoy Creswell

Elisa J. Livengood, Cortney L. Ohs, Amber L. Garr, R. Leroy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig S. Kasper, Brian E. Myers, and Frank A. Chapman

Brine shrimp live in and are harvested primarily from natural salt lakes and solar salt operations around the world. Two natural sources of brine shrimp in the United States are the Great Salt Lake in Utah and San Francisco Bay in California. Adult brine shrimp are also called "sea monkeys" and are used for entertainment or to feed aquarium fish. Brine shrimp can be used to observe, control, and manipulate a life cycle under laboratory conditions during a period of less than 2 weeks. They can be

Frank A. Chapman, Amber L. Garr, Cortney L. Ohs, Brian E. Myers, Craig S. Kasper, R. LeRoy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, yEliza J. Livengood

There are numerous fish species cultured in the world. Fish are cultured in ponds, tanks, and cages. Some are fed floating, pelleted food and some consume live algae. The types of diets used in aquaculture have been developed specifically for the feeding strategies of the cultured animal. In this lesson, students will mimic fish with different mouth positions by adopting different feeding behaviors and by trying to capture marshmallows without the use of their hands.

Frank A. Chapman, Cortney L. Ohs, Amber L. Garr, R. LeRoy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, Brian E. Myers, Craig S. Kasper, yEliza J. Livengood

This activity will provide examples of volume and area calculations of ponds of various types and shapes. The students will learn to calculate volumes and surface areas of ponds and use this information to calculate stocking densities and chemical application rates. Students will be able to make these calculations in both US and metric units. This activity has direct application to aquaculture, and these calculations are commonly used by federal and state agencies, private companies, engineers, toxicologists, and other people related to the aquatic sciences.

Cortney L. Ohs, R. Leroy Creswell, Amber L. Garr, Carlos V. Martinez, Brian E. Myers, Elisa J. Livengood, Craig S. Kasper, and Frank A. Chapman

R. Leroy Creswell, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, Carlos V. Martinez, Elisa J. Livengood, Amber L. Garr, Frank A. Chapman, and Brian E. Myers

In this activity students will use an ocular micrometer to measure the length of bivalve larvae, monitor the density of larvae in their culture system, and understand production protocols used in bivalve hatcheries. This activity will take about 15 minutes per day for approximately two weeks; this is the amount of time it will take for larvae to develop from egg to metamorphosis (setting).

R. Leroy Creswell, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, Elisa J. Livengood, Amber L. Garr, Brian E. Myers, Carlos V. Martinez, and Frank A. Chapman

Craig S. Kasper, Cortney L. Ohs, Brian E. Myers, Frank A. Chapman, Amber L. Garr, R. Leroy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, and Elisa J. Livengood

Emilie P. Demard yJawwad Qureshi

Panonychus citri is a phytophagous mite of economic importance in open citrus orchards and a major pest in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS), a new undercover production system tested in Florida. Immatures and adults feed on citrus leaves, fruits, and green twigs resulting in mesophyll collapse, shoot dieback, and fruit drop. In Florida, P. citri occurs throughout the year but is most abundant in spring or early summer and autumn or early winter. Although chemical sprays like Abamectin or Fenbutatin oxide provide some control of P. citri, resistance has been reported in different regions of the world. Several predatory insects and mites have been shown to attack the mite and could be potential natural enemies to use in biological control programs.

Jay Capasso, Lisa Krimsky, yJehangir H. Bhadha

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Water==

Eric C. Morgan, William A. Overholt, yBrent Sellers
Otros contactos: Stephen F. Enloe

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. This document discusses the invasive plant species, paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), detailing its historical significance, ecological impact, and current distribution. Originally used for paper production in ancient China, paper mulberry has become a widespread invasive species, disrupting natural vegetation across various regions, including Florida. The article highlights its ability to colonize disturbed areas, spread through fruits and root systems, and form dense thickets. It also provides identification features and recommendations for managing its spread. The document is part of the UF/IFAS Extension series on invasive plants. Publication date: March 2004.

Brandon Quinn-Ivey ySandra M. Guzmán

This publication introduces water storage strategies known as Dispersed Water Management (DWM) and Water Farms (WF) and describes the process that a private landowner should follow to obtain a permit and begin a water storage agreement with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Written by Brandon Quinn-Ivey and Sandra M. Guzmán, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2022.