Plant Pests

Caribbean Fruit Fly (Anastrepha suspensa)

The Caribbean Fruit Fly poses a significant threat to a variety of fruit-bearing plants in South Florida, particularly targeting citrus, mangoes, and avocados. These flies lay their eggs under the skin of the fruit, and upon hatching, the larvae feed on the fruit’s interior, causing it to rot and fall prematurely. This not only leads to a direct loss of yield but can also make the affected fruits unsuitable for sale or consumption. Managing these pests involves monitoring for their presence and employing strategies like trapping, removing infested fruits, and potentially using biological control agents to reduce their populations.

Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers (Romalea microptera)

Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers are large, conspicuous pests that can cause extensive damage to a wide range of landscape plants, including ornamental shrubs, flowers, and foliage. These grasshoppers are voracious eaters; they chew through leaves and flowers, leaving behind a trail of destruction that can significantly impact the aesthetic value and health of gardens. Their large size and chemical defenses against predators make them a challenging pest to control, often requiring physical removal or the use of specific pesticides.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars, the larval stage of moths and butterflies, are common pests in South Florida landscapes. They feed on the leaves of plants, creating holes or completely defoliating them, which can stunt growth and lead to reduced flowering and fruiting. Some species, such as the oleander caterpillar, target specific plants, while others have a broader range of hosts. Management typically involves monitoring for their presence and applying biological or chemical controls as needed to keep their populations in check.

Leaffooted Bugs

Leaffooted bugs are named for the leaf-like expansions on their hind legs. They damage plants by piercing plant tissues and sucking sap, weakening the host. These bugs can also transmit plant diseases as they feed. In South Florida, they commonly affect fruit trees, tomatoes, and nuts, causing fruit drop and blemishing that reduces the marketability of the produce. Controlling these pests often involves removing weeds that can serve as their habitat, using row covers to protect plants, and applying insecticides when necessary.

Nematodes

Nematodes, particularly root-knot nematodes, are microscopic worms that infect plant roots, causing galls or knots that interfere with the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. This damage can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and decreased yield in affected plants. In South Florida, the warm soil temperatures favor the proliferation of nematodes, making them a significant concern for both ornamental and vegetable gardens. Management strategies include using nematode-resistant plant varieties, practicing crop rotation, and employing soil solarization to reduce nematode populations.

Iguanas

Iguanas have become a notable pest in South Florida, damaging landscapes by eating a wide variety of plants, flowers, and fruits. Their digging behavior can also undermine sidewalks, foundations, and seawalls, causing structural damage. Controlling iguanas involves habitat modification to make areas less attractive to them, using barriers to protect plants, and in some cases, humane trapping and removal.

Snails and Slugs

Snails and slugs are mollusks that feed on a variety of living plants as well as decomposing material. In gardens, they are known for their destructive feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits, often leaving behind a slimy trail. They are particularly fond of young, tender plant tissues and can cause significant damage overnight. Management includes reducing moisture and hiding spots, using bait and traps, and barriers to protect plants.

Twig Girdlers (Oncideres spp.)

Twig girdlers are beetles that lay their eggs in the small branches of trees. The adult beetles then girdle, or chew through, the twig around the egg-laying site, causing the affected branch to die and break off. This not only damages the tree aesthetically but can also affect its overall health and productivity. Managing twig girdlers typically involves pruning and destroying infested branches to break the life cycle of the beetles.

White Grubs

White grubs, the larval stage of various beetles, including the Japanese beetle and the June beetle, feed on the roots of grass and other plants. This feeding can cause significant damage to lawns and landscapes, leading to yellowing, wilting, and in severe cases, the death of the grass or plant. Effective control of white grubs involves proper lawn care practices to promote healthy grass that can withstand grub damage, as well as the use of biological control agents or pesticides when necessary.