Skip to main content
IFAS ExtensionUniversity of Florida
Login
Photo of Alexandra M. Revynthi

Alexandra M. Revynthi

Specialist

Send Email

Alexandra M. Revynthi

Orcid ID0000-0002-3284-3104

Specialist

TREC Profile

Publications

thumbnail for publication: Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Nicholas Haley, Alexandra M. Revynthi, Hasmeen Abu, Trent Blare, yTrent D. Blare

Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a bushy evergreen shrub or small tree native to the temperate regions of Asia and an economically significant crop in Florida. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the market value of the ornamental industry in Miami-Dade County was $697 million, and approximately 25% of the production was in hibiscus. Demand for the cultivation of plants with minimal pesticides is rising due to concerns about potential adverse environmental and health effects. Integrated pest management, or IPM, is an alternative to conventional pesticide application. A broad-based approach, it integrates both chemical and non-chemical practices for sustainable control of pests. To help growers and other stakeholders determine the best approach to changing demands for pesticide management, this publication estimates the costs and returns of producing tropical hibiscus on an established nursery in south Florida using both traditional and IPM methods.

thumbnail for publication: Thrips Management Program for Horticultural Crops

Thrips Management Program for Horticultural Crops

Alexandra M. Revynthi, Vivek Kumar, Vivek Kumar, Garima Kakkar, Garima Kakkar, Cristi L. Palmer, Cindy L. McKenzie, yLance S. Osborne

Thrips infestations present a huge problem in the regional and international trade of plant materials and products, due to the quarantine risks and damage associated with several species in the order. This fact sheet presents a program to manage important thrips pests, including western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), weeping fig thrips (Gynaikothrips uzeli), gladiolus thrips (Thrips simplex), and privet thrips (Dendrothrips ornatus) known to damage several horticultural crops of economic importance in the United States. The publication will help growers take appropriate measures to minimize economic damage.

thumbnail for publication: The Lychee Erinose Mite Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

The Lychee Erinose Mite Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

Alexandra M. Revynthi, Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Paul E. Kendra, Paul E. Kendra, yDaniel Carrillo

The lychee erinose mite is an important pest of lychee and is found in lychee-producing countries in Asia and South America and in Australia, Hawaii, and Brazil, where it has has caused an estimated 70–80% yield reduction and a 20% increase in production costs. Found in Lee County, Florida, in 2018, it has since spread to several counties in central and south Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , Division of Plant Industry established an eradication program and a quarantine in Lee county. Management in other countries includes chemical control in combination with pruning. The purpose of this publication is to provide an in-depth profile of the lychee erinose mite. It is intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

thumbnail for publication: El Picudo del Botón del Hibisco (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell, Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

El Picudo del Botón del Hibisco (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell, Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Alexandra M. Revynthi, German A. Vargas, Yisell Velazquez-Hernandez, Paul E. Kendra, Paul E. Kendra, Daniel Carrillo, yCatharine M. Mannion

El picudo del botón del hibisco es una plaga originaria de México y de Texas, visto en Florida por primera vez en 2017. El incremento de las poblaciones del picudo entre 2019 y 2020 impactó negativamente la industria del hibisco en Florida, resultando en grandes pérdidas económicas (el estado lidera la producción nacional). Esta plaga está regulada por la División de Industria Vegetal del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor, que establece que cualquier vivero que lo detecte debe seguir un acuerdo para reducir probabilidades de dispersión. El propósito de este documento es proveer información acerca de esta importante plaga a productores de viveros y al público interesado.

thumbnail for publication: El Ácaro de la Erinosis del Lichi, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

El Ácaro de la Erinosis del Lichi, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

Alexandra M. Revynthi, German Vargas, Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Paul E. Kendra, y Daniel Carrillo

El ácaro de la erinosis del lichi es una plaga nativa de Asia que ha sido reportada en varios países. En Brasil ha causado pérdidas y ha incrementado los costos de producción en un 20%. También en India se ha reportado una reducción del 80% en el rendimiento. En 2018, el LEM fue encontrado en el condado de Lee, Florida y luego en otros del centro y el sur del estado. En consecuencia, la División de Industria Vegetal del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor del estado de Florida estableció un programa de erradicación y cuarentena en el condado de Lee. Esta publicación brinda un perfil a profundidad del ácaro de la erinosis del lichi y está dirigida a personas interesadas con conocimiento de biología, así como a una audiencia académica.

thumbnail for publication: O caracol indiano (Macrochlamys indica): uma nova praga invasora na Flórida

O caracol indiano (Macrochlamys indica): uma nova praga invasora na Flórida

Alexandra M. Revynthi, Livia M. Silva Ataide, Daniel Carrillo, Dakshina R. Seal, Paul E. Kendra, E. Vanessa Vassilaros, E. Vanessa Vassilaros, yPaul E. Kendra

O objetivo deste documento é fornecer uma visão geral sobre o Macrochlamys indica Benson), popularmente conhecido como caracol indiano, bem como recomendações para otimizar sua detecção e monitoramento em viveiros de mudas. O caracol indiano foi detectado em agosto de 2020 no Condado de Miami-Dade (Talamas 2020). Este caracol está atualmente sob regime quarentenário nos Estados Unidos, devido ao seu potencial para se tornar uma praga agrícola e hospedar nematóides parasitas de importância médica (Grewal et al. 2003; Cowie et al. 2009; Jayashankar e Murthy 2015). Um programa para pesquisar, controlar e erradicar o caracol indiano foi implementado pelo Departamento de Agricultura e Serviços ao Consumidor da Flórida, Divisão da Indústria de Plantas (FDACS-DPI). No entanto, o programa de erradicação foi suspenso no final de 2021.

thumbnail for publication: El caracol cola de cuerno (Macrochlamys indica): una nueva especie invasiva en Florida

El caracol cola de cuerno (Macrochlamys indica): una nueva especie invasiva en Florida

Alexandra M. Revynthi, German Vargas, Daniel Carrillo, Dakshina R. Seal, E. Vanessa Vassilaros y Paul E Kendra

El propósito de este documento es proveer información general del estado actual del conocimiento del caracol cola de cuerno (Macrochlamys indica Benson) así como recomendaciones para su detección y monitoreo en los viveros. El caracol cola de cuerno fue detectado en agosto del 2020 en el condado de Miami-Dade (Talamas 2020). Este caracol es considerado como una plaga de importancia cuarentenaria en los Estados Unidos debido a que se puede convertir en una plaga agrícola y es potencialmente hospedero de nematodos parásitos de importancia médica (Grewal et al. 2003; Cowie et al. 2009; Jayashankar y Murthy 2015). Un programa de monitoreo, control y erradicación del caracol cola de cuerno fue implementado por la División de Industria Vegetal del Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor del estado de Florida (FDACS-DPI, por sus siglas en inglés). En la actualidad el programa de erradicación ha sido suspendido por parte de FDACS-DPI.

thumbnail for publication: Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Hugh A. Smith, Yisell Velazquez-Hernandez, yAlexandra M. Revynthi

Amrasca biguttula, Ishida (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), also known as the two-spot cotton leafhopper, became established in Florida in 2024 where it causes significant damage to a range of ornamental and horticultural crops. It is a major pest of okra (Abelmoschus esculentum L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and various types of hibiscus (Hibiscus spp. L.). It is also a major pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Asia and poses a threat to cotton production in Florida and the southeast USA. Regulatory restrictions have been imposed on the shipment of leafhopper hosts from Florida to other states because of this threat. Therefore, the pest poses a significant regulatory burden to the state in addition to damage presently inflicted on production of ornamental and vegetable crops, and the threat to cotton grown in the state’s Panhandle.