Xavier Martini

Specialist

Xavier Martini
0000-0002-0556-3465

Specialist

associate professor, insect behavior, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL

NFREC Profile

Publications

Crapemyrtle Bark Scale Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstroemiae (Kuwana) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Eriococcidae)

Matthew Borden, Matthew Borden, Xavier Martini, andAdam G. Dale

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.

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Soft-Bodied Insects Attacking Foliage and Fruit

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Lukasz L. Stelinski, Xavier Martini, andJawwad Qureshi

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals).

Insect Management for Onion, Leek, and Garlic

S. E. Webb and X. Martini

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Management for Commercial audience(s). Published by Integrated Pest Management

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Flower Thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan and Frankliniella kelliae Sakimura)

X. Martini, L. M. Diepenbrock, K. L. Ray, and J. D. Burrow

This is a quick reference guide for identifying flower thrips and the damage flower thrips causes.

Chapter 7. Cucurbit Production

Craig Frey, Nathan S. Boyd, Qingren Wang, Johan Desaeger, Jawwad Qureshi, Anna Mészáros, Nicholas S. Dufault, Pamela D. Roberts, andXavier Martini

Chapter 7 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Insect and Mite Pest Management in Florida Peanut

Isaac L. Esquivel, Xavier Martini, Ethan Carter, andSilvana Vieira de Paula-Moraes

Peanut is one of the most important cash crops grown in the United States, with an estimated production value of over $1 billion. The southeastern coastal plains harbor most of the US peanut acreage, and Florida is ranked among the top five major peanut producers in the US, with 160 thousand acres planted in 2022 and an annual production value of $130 million in 2021. The majority of peanut acreage in Florida is in the Panhandle and central Florida, in Jackson, Santa Rosa, and Levy counties. Several insect pests feed on various peanut plant parts, including foliage, roots, and fruiting structures. These pests can cause significant damage to the plant canopy and kernels and can also transmit diseases, reducing the quality and quantity of yield if they are not properly detected and managed. This publication serves as a guide for Extension agents and growers to provide an overview of proper sampling techniques and management for peanut pests found in the Florida Panhandle.

thumbnail for publication: Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida

Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida

Xavier Martini, Ioannis Karapanos, Sanju Kunwar, Scott Adkins, Jane E. Polston, Pamela D. Roberts, Oscar E. Liburd, Teresia W. Nyoike, Eugene McAvoy, Susan E. Webb, andAlicia J. Whidden

This publication lists and describes common viruses spread in cucurbit crops by whiteflies. It includes strategies for managing whiteflies, most of them originally from a similar publication on managing whiteflies in tomatoes.

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Soft-Bodied Insects Attacking Foliage and Fruit

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Lukasz L. Stelinski, Xavier Martini, andJawwad Qureshi

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Current Season Spray Guide).

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Citrus Whitefly (Dialeurodes citri)

X. Martini, L. M. Diepenbrock, K. L. Ray, and J. D. Burrow

This is an identification guide for citrus whitefly and citrus whitefly damage.

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Leafminer

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Xavier Martini, Jawwad Qureshi, andLukasz L. Stelinski

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals).

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Leafminer

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Xavier Martini, Jawwad Qureshi, andLukasz L. Stelinski

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Current Season Spray Guide).

Entomopathogenic Nematodes of Thrips Thripinema spp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida: Allantonematidae)

Danielle Sprague and Joe Funderburk

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.

Invertebrates as Biological Control Agents of Agricultural Pests

Xavier Martini andHugh A. Smith

This publication aims to help readers identify the most common beneficial insects and invertebrates found in Florida gardens and promote their populations to minimize the use of insecticides. Written by Xavier Martini and Hugh A. Smith, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, revised June 2025.

The Peanut Burrower Bug, Pangaeus bilineatus (Say) (Hemiptera: Cydnidae)

Kathi Malfa, Ethan Carter, Xavier Martini, andIsaac L. Esquivel

Managing Thrips in Pepper and Eggplant

Xavier Martini, Joseph E. Funderburk, Stuart Reitz, Ozan Demirozer, Joshua H. Freeman, Gregg Nuessly, Eugene McAvoy, Norman C. Leppla, andAlicia J. Whidden

A UF/IFAS numbered publication for Commercial audience(s).

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Bugs, Chewing Insect Pests, Caribbean Fruit Fly, and Thrips

Xavier Martini andLauren M. Diepenbrock

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals).

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Xavier Martini, Jawwad Qureshi, andLukasz L. Stelinski

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Current Season Spray Guide).

The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt

Yiyi Dong, Jiri Hulcr, Daniel Carrillo, and Xavier Martini

The redbay ambrosia beetle, harmless in its native Asia, has become a formidable pest since its introduction to the United States in 2002. The beetle spreads the fungus Harringtonia lauricola, a lethal pathogen of North American Lauraceae trees, including avocados. The fungus infection triggers a rapid onset of laurel wilt disease, which has nearly eliminated laurel trees across the southeastern United States within a few years. The beetle has spread across nearly 300 counties in the Southeast, facilitated by trade in wood products. Effective control in natural environments remains an unresolved challenge; in avocado groves, infected trees must be removed and destroyed. Introduction of X. glabratus into Mexico, California, Central America, or South America, regions with substantial avocado industries and diverse native Lauraceae species, would be disastrous. International cooperation is necessary to address this threat.

Arthropod Management for Tomato, Pepper, and Eggplant

X. Martini and H. Smith

Pest management should be based on the proper identification of pests and knowledge of their biology. This publication describes the major pests of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant in Florida and guidelines for their management. Some insects may be more important in some areas of the state than others. For each pest described, a table of management options will be found after the damage.

Chapter 12. Onion, Leek, and Chive Production

Johan Desaeger, Peter J. Dittmar, Pamela D. Roberts, Xavier Martini, andLincoln Zotarelli

Chapter 12 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Xavier Martini, Jawwad Qureshi, andLukasz L. Stelinski

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals). The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, was first detected in Florida in 1998, and it has since become the key pest of citrus due to its role as vector of the pathogen that causes citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB) detected in 2005. The HLB pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is transmitted and spread by adult ACP but acquired primarily by nymphs. ACP are sucking insects, related to aphids, that obtain most of their nutrition from phloem sap, which they access by feeding on leaves.

Insect Management for Sweet Potatoes

Xavier Martini

Sweet potatoes, both orange- and white-fleshed varieties, are widely grown in Florida. Foliar pests, leafminers, whiteflies and armyworms, are generally not difficult to manage; in fact insecticides should be avoided to conserve their natural enemies. More serious are those pests whose immature stages feed on roots: sweetpotato weevil, wireworms, banded cucumber beetles, pale-striped and sweetpotato flea beetles, and in south Florida, Diaprepes weevils and white grubs.

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: California Red Scale (Aonidiella aurantii)

Xavier Martini

This factsheet gives the general public and citrus growers basic knowledge regarding the California red scale. Written by X. Martini and J. Price, and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, November 2022.

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Bugs, Chewing Insect Pests, Caribbean Fruit Fly, and Thrips

Xavier Martini andLauren M. Diepenbrock

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Current Season Spray Guide).

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites

Jawwad Qureshi, Lukasz L. Stelinski, Xavier Martini, andLauren M. Diepenbrock

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Citrus Production Fundamentals).

Insidious Flower Bug, Minute Pirate Bug Orius insidiosus Say (Insecta: Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Danielle S. Williams, Joseph E. Funderburk, andXavier Martini

Managing Thrips and Tospoviruses in Tomato

Xavier Martini, Ioannis Karapanos, Scott Adkins, Joseph E. Funderburk, Sanju Kunwar, Joshua H. Freeman, Samuel F. Hutton, Jessica Chitwood-Brown, Hugh A. Smith, Eugene J. McAvoy, Eugene McAvoy, Mathews Paret, andNorman C. Leppla

This fact sheet describes the biology and ecology of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus, and recommends an integrated pest management program for these pests. It is intended for professionals in tomato production, horticulture, and pest management.

thumbnail for publication: Leaf-Gall Thrips of Ficus Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Leaf-Gall Thrips of Ficus Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Joseph E. Funderburk, H. A. Denmark, Laurence Mound, Tom Skarlinskky, and Catharine Mannion

Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida, 2026–2027 edition

Xavier Martini, Nicholas S. Dufault, Ramdas Kanissery, andXiaoying Li

See here for the full downloadable PDF of the 2026–2027 Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida, as well as front-matter information and links to each chapter.

Chapter 1. Commercial Vegetable Production in Florida

Xavier Martini, Nicholas S. Dufault, Ramdas Kanissery, andXiaoying Li

Chapter 1 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites

Jawwad Qureshi, Lukasz L. Stelinski, Xavier Martini, andLauren M. Diepenbrock

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide (Current Season Spray Guide).

Xavier Martini 0000-0002-0556-3465

Specialist

Publications

Crapemyrtle Bark Scale Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstroemiae (Kuwana) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Eriococcidae)

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Soft-Bodied Insects Attacking Foliage and Fruit

Insect Management for Onion, Leek, and Garlic

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Flower Thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan and Frankliniella kelliae Sakimura)

Chapter 7. Cucurbit Production

Insect and Mite Pest Management in Florida Peanut

Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Soft-Bodied Insects Attacking Foliage and Fruit

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Citrus Whitefly (Dialeurodes citri)

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Leafminer

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus Leafminer

Entomopathogenic Nematodes of Thrips Thripinema spp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida: Allantonematidae)

Invertebrates as Biological Control Agents of Agricultural Pests

The Peanut Burrower Bug, Pangaeus bilineatus (Say) (Hemiptera: Cydnidae)

Managing Thrips in Pepper and Eggplant

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Bugs, Chewing Insect Pests, Caribbean Fruit Fly, and Thrips

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid

The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt

Arthropod Management for Tomato, Pepper, and Eggplant

Chapter 12. Onion, Leek, and Chive Production

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid

Insect Management for Sweet Potatoes

Citrus Pest Quick Guide: California Red Scale (Aonidiella aurantii)

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Bugs, Chewing Insect Pests, Caribbean Fruit Fly, and Thrips

2026–2029 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites

Insidious Flower Bug, Minute Pirate Bug Orius insidiosus Say (Insecta: Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Managing Thrips and Tospoviruses in Tomato

Leaf-Gall Thrips of Ficus Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida, 2026–2027 edition

Chapter 1. Commercial Vegetable Production in Florida

2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rust Mites, Spider Mites, and Other Phytophagous Mites

Xavier Martini
0000-0002-0556-3465