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Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida

J. P. Cuda, D. H. Habeck, W. A. Overholt, J. C. Medal, J. H. Pedrosa-Macedo, M. D. Vitorino, and C. R. Minteer

Release Date: 4/23/2023

Reviewed At: 4/11/2023

DOI: 10.32473/edis-in1140-1999

Agriculture

Abstract

This document discusses the classical biological control of the invasive Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida. It highlights the tree’s aggressive spread, ecological impact, and the limitations of conventional control methods. The article details the introduction and effectiveness of various biological control agents, including thrips, sawflies, leaf rollers, weevils, and psyllids, in managing the Brazilian peppertree. The goal is to reduce the tree’s dominance and restore native biodiversity in affected ecosystems. First published 1999. 

About this Publication

This document is ENY-820, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1999. Revised July 2010, September 2013, November 2016, October 2019, and April 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

J. P. Cuda, professor; D. H. Habeck (deceased), Entomology and Nematology Department; W. A. Overholt (retired), UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; J. C. Medal, FLDACS, Division of Plant Industry; J. H. Pedrosa-Macedo (retired), Federal University of Parana, Laboratory of Forest Protection, Curitiba, Brazil; M. D. Vitorino, University of Blumenau, Blumenau, Brazil; and C. R. Minteer, assistant professor, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Cuda, J. P., Habeck, D. H., Overholt, W. A., Medal, J. C., Pedrosa-Macedo, J. H., & Vitorino, M. (2019). Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida. EDIS, 2019(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1140-1999

Authors

William Overholt
William Overholt

professor emeritus of entomology, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center

Dale Habeck
Dale Habeck

professor emeritus (deceased), UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gainesville, FL 

James Cuda
James Cuda
Specialist
University of Florida

professor emeritus, Department of Entomology and Nematology

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Julio Medal
Julio Medal
external
University of Florida

former coordinator, TSA Biological Control Team, UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL

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Carey Minteer
Carey Minteer
Contact
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor, weed biological control, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL

View Carey Minteer's Profile

Publication #ENY-820

Schinus terebinthifolia