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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.

IntroductionThe flat mite Brevipalpus yothersi is the main vector of citrus leprosis in South and Central America and Mexico, where vector suppression using conventional acaricides is usually the only disease control method, leading to problems with acaricide resistance. This mite is present in Florida, where several viruses known to cause citrus leprosis were recently detected. This research builds preparedness for managing emerging viral diseases and mitigating potential problems associated with acaricide resistance by addressing the compatibility of chemical and biological control strategies against B. yothersi. The predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis has shown promise as a biological control agent of B. yothersi. However, the effects of acaricides used in citrus on this predator are unknown.MethodsThis study investigated the impact of different routes of acaricide exposure on A. largoensis, including direct contact, pesticide-contaminated prey, residual contact, and combined exposure routes in laboratory settings. Additionally, the efficacy of A. largoensis in controlling B. yothersi, alone and in combination with acaricide applications, was evaluated under greenhouse conditions.Results and discussionCommonly used acaricides like abamectin and spirodiclofen were highly effective in controlling B. yothersi and only slightly harmful to A. largoensis. Other acaricides were also effective against B. yothersi but were less compatible with the predatory mite. In the greenhouse trial, all acaricides, alone or in combination with the predators, and the predators alone, effectively suppressed B. yothersi one month after treatment application. However, B. yothersi populations significantly increased one month later in the abamectin-alone and predator-alone treatments. At the same time, the combination of abamectin and predators provided B. yothersi suppression throughout the experiment. The fenpyroximate-predator combination also provided better control than each treatment applied independently. All other acaricides provided prolonged B. yothersi control, hindering biological control probably due to the lack of prey for A. largoensis. Research findings highlight the potential for enhancing the selectivity of acaricides towards A. largoensis by manipulating their exposure route. Combining predatory mites with acaricides shows promise in improving B. yothersi management.

O objetivo deste informativo é fornecer informações detalhadas sobre o ácaro da erinose da lichia. Destina-se ao público leigo e acadêmico, dentre outros interessados em adiquirir algum conhecimento sobre a biologia deste ácaro.

Este informativo sobre do bicudo do botão do hibisco é destinado ao público leigo e acadêmico, dentre outros interessados em adiquirir algum conhecimento sobre a biologia do bicudo do botão do hibisco. Essa praga do hibisco rosa da China, é originário do nordeste do México e do sul do Texas e pode causar grandes perdas econômicas aos produtores de hibisco. O objetivo desta publicação é fornecer informações importantes sobre essa praga do hibisco aos proprietários de viveiros, proprietários de casas-de-vegetação e outros.

O objetivo deste informativo é fornecer informações detalhadas sobre o ácaro da erinose da lichia. Destina-se ao público leigo e acadêmico, dentre outros interessados em adiquirir algum conhecimento sobre a biologia deste ácaro.

Este informativo sobre do bicudo do botão do hibisco é destinado ao público leigo e acadêmico, dentre outros interessados em adiquirir algum conhecimento sobre a biologia do bicudo do botão do hibisco. Essa praga do hibisco rosa da China, é originário do nordeste do México e do sul do Texas e pode causar grandes perdas econômicas aos produtores de hibisco. O objetivo desta publicação é fornecer informações importantes sobre essa praga do hibisco aos proprietários de viveiros, proprietários de casas-de-vegetação e outros.

Passionfruits (Passiflora sp.) are widely grown throughout tropical regions of the world. Burgeoning new interest in this fruit in both its fresh and processed forms has led to an increase in planting outside of traditional growing zones. Passionfruit production has increased steadily in the United States and its territories since the 2002 US Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture; however, little is known about how the industry functions across production areas. To assess passionfruit growers’ production practices and support their needs, we conducted a survey during 2021. That survey consisted of 45 questions pertaining to various aspects of passionfruit production, including horticultural practices, pest management, cultivars grown, and industry challenges and needs. The objectives of the survey were to identify where passionfruit is currently grown in the United States, what production practices are being used, and what problems are being encountered so that researchers and extension personnel could provide remedies in the future. Forty-four surveys were complete and allowed for data analyses. Florida had the most responses (21), followed by Puerto Rico (12), California (6), Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Virgin Islands. Most of the passionfruit production in the United States comprises purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) or intraspecific red types at 68.2%. This value is driven by the high amounts of purple passionfruit and red passionfruit in Florida and other states. In contrast, nearly all farms in Puerto Rico grow yellow passionfruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) and fewer purple types. The main obstacle to obtaining optimum production was labor availability. Managing passionfruit, like many other specialty crops, is labor-intensive and includes many activities that require manual labor, such as weeding, training, pruning, pollination, and harvesting. Other obstacles that were noted were weather variability, vine decline, poor pollination, and availability of high-quality cultivars. Diseases, especially fungal diseases, are of particular concern to growers of passionfruit in the United States, although the identification of specific diseases was limited. Online delivery methods of information ranked high on the list of desired products. Online articles, such as those offered by extension services, were the most preferred, followed by webinars, which comprise a more recently developed method of information delivery. Overall, the survey provided baseline information to further develop initiatives to aid passionfruit production within the United States.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This paper explores the construction of Peruvian literature in two different language editions of Wikipedia: Spanish and Quechua. Comparing both versions I analyze the way they approach the representation and writing of a national literature in relation to two factors: region (writers from the 25 Peruvian political regions) and language (words used to provide information about writers). I argue that the exclusion of cultural contributions of Amazonian regions in both Wikipedias not only has a high correlation with the regional population and Gross Domestic Product, but also reproduces a traditional notion of Peruvian literature. However, because of its accessibility and collaborative nature, the Quechua Wikipedia innovates by enabling the user community to propose an alternative representation of national literature. The research also demonstrates the urgency of engaging and fostering the participation of indigenous communities in the creation and editing of Wikipedia.

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.

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.

Dado que Florida es uno de los tres estados de los Estados Unidos (junto con California y Hawái) que tiene las condiciones climáticas para cultivar lichi, y la creciente demanda de los consumidores de este cultivo, la producción de lichi tiene el potencial de ser un cultivo rentable para los productores floridanos. Este documento estima los costos y rendimientos asociados con la operación de un bosque de lichi en el sur y centro de Florida. Presenta los resultados de entrevistas de campo con productores de lichi y expertos de la industria. Los productores podrían esperar un promedio de casi $ 8,000 por acre por año de la producción de lichi cuando hay una cosecha, sin embargo, la variación climática que causa cosechas inconsistentes, el aumento de la presión de plagas como el ácaro erinosa de lichi y la fuerte competencia extranjera también deben considerarse al tomar decisiones de producción.

Dado que Florida es uno de los tres estados de los Estados Unidos (junto con California y Hawái) que tiene las condiciones climáticas para cultivar lichi, y la creciente demanda de los consumidores de este cultivo, la producción de lichi tiene el potencial de ser un cultivo rentable para los productores floridanos. Este documento estima los costos y rendimientos asociados con la operación de un bosque de lichi en el sur y centro de Florida. Presenta los resultados de entrevistas de campo con productores de lichi y expertos de la industria. Los productores podrían esperar un promedio de casi $ 8,000 por acre por año de la producción de lichi cuando hay una cosecha, sin embargo, la variación climática que causa cosechas inconsistentes, el aumento de la presión de plagas como el ácaro erinosa de lichi y la fuerte competencia extranjera también deben considerarse al tomar decisiones de producción.

IntroductionAmbrosia beetles maintain strict associations with specific lineages of fungi. However, anthropogenic introductions of ambrosia beetles into new ecosystems can result in the lateral transfer of their symbionts to other ambrosia beetles. The ability of a Florida endemic ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus bispinatus, to feed and establish persistent associations with two of its known symbionts (Raffaelea subfusca and Raffaelea arxii) and two other fungi (Harringtonia lauricola and Fusarium sp. nov.), which are primary symbionts of invasive ambrosia beetles, was investigated.MethodsThe stability of these mutualisms and their effect on the beetle’s fitness were monitored over five consecutive generations. Surface-disinfested pupae with non-developed mycangia were reared separately on one of the four fungal symbionts. Non-treated beetles (i.e., lab colony) with previously colonized mycangia were used as a control group.ResultsXyleborus bispinatus could exchange its fungal symbionts, survive, and reproduce on different fungal diets, including known fungal associates and phylogenetically distant fungi, which are plant pathogens and primary symbionts of other invasive ambrosia beetles. These changes in fungal diets resulted in persistent mutualisms, and some symbionts even increased the beetle’s reproduction. Females that developed on Fusarium sp. nov. had a significantly greater number of female offspring than non-treated beetles. Females that fed solely on Harringtonia or Raffaelea symbionts produced fewer female offspring.DiscussionEven though some ambrosia beetles like X. bispinatus can partner with different ambrosia fungi, their symbiosis under natural conditions is modulated by their mycangium and possibly other environmental factors. However, exposure to symbionts of invasive beetles can result in stable partnerships with these fungi and affect the population dynamics of ambrosia beetles and their symbionts.

Florida is one of three US states (the other two being California and Hawaii) that have the climatic conditions to cultivate lychee. Given the growing consumer demand for this crop, the production of lychee has the potential to be a profitable crop for Florida growers. This publication estimates the costs and returns associated with operating a lychee grove in south and central Florida. It presents the results of field interviews with lychee growers and industry experts. Growers on average can expect to earn nearly $8,000 an acre per year from lychee production when there is a harvest, but climate variation causes inconsistent harvests. When making production decisions, growers must also consider increasing pressure from pests such as the lychee erinose mite, and strong foreign competition.

Florida is one of three US states (the other two being California and Hawaii) that have the climatic conditions to cultivate lychee. Given the growing consumer demand for this crop, the production of lychee has the potential to be a profitable crop for Florida growers. This publication estimates the costs and returns associated with operating a lychee grove in south and central Florida. It presents the results of field interviews with lychee growers and industry experts. Growers on average can expect to earn nearly $8,000 an acre per year from lychee production when there is a harvest, but climate variation causes inconsistent harvests. When making production decisions, growers must also consider increasing pressure from pests such as the lychee erinose mite, and strong foreign competition.

Euwallacea perbrevis, the tea shot-hole borer (TSHB), is an invasive ambrosia beetle that vectors several fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium branch dieback in avocado trees in southern Florida. This study assessed the potential of four commercial products containing the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb) for managing adult TSHB beetles. Formulated products containing Bb strains to which adult beetles were exposed were BioCeres WP, BotaniGard WP, BotaniGard ES, and Velifer ES. Controls consisted of water only and BotaniGard ES and Velifer ES supernatant with spores removed. Acquisition of spores by adult beetles dipped in product suspensions with 2.5 ± 0.1 × 106 spores/mL was assessed. Survival time of beetles after residual exposure to the Bb-based products in an in vivo avocado bark plug bioassay was determined. Production of Bb spores on beetles after being dipped in product suspensions and placed in a moistened bark-plug assay with water only was assessed. Significantly more spores were acquired by beetles exposed to Velifer ES and BotaniGard ES than beetles exposed to the other fungal products. Beetles exposed to Velifer ES and BotaniGard ES died faster (6–8 days) compared to beetles dipped in the other fungal products (10–11 days) and controls (12 days). Percentage of mycosis was highest with beetles exposed to Velifer ES (63%). Spore production on cadavers of beetles dipped in Velifer ES (20 ± 6.4 × 105 spores/cadaver) was the highest among all treatments, whereas it was the lowest on cadavers of beetles dipped in BotaniGard ES (1 ± 0.2 × 105 spores/cadaver). All Bb-based products, especially Velifer ES, demonstrated potential to manage TSHB populations under laboratory conditions. These Bb-based fungal products should be tested under field conditions to confirm these laboratory results.

Abstract Background Lactobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive non-spore-forming rods usually found in the microbiota of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and female genitourinary tract. Also, they are commonly used in the food industry as supplements and probiotics. Lactobacilli are normally considered non-pathogenic to the human body, however, under certain circumstances such as immunosuppression, they can cause severe infections, with only a few cases of bacteremia, infective endocarditis, pneumonia, meningitis, and intra-abdominal infections reported. Among these presentations, a pyogenic liver abscess is rather rare. Case presentation We describe the case of a 59-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus and multiple abdominal surgeries with the latest being in 2014 presenting with bacteremia and multiple large pyogenic liver abscesses due to Lactobacillus gasseri, which did not appear to be related to the use of probiotics or immunosuppression. Conclusions Given the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the increased use of probiotics, it is expected that in the future we will see an increase in infections caused by Lactobacilli. Medical management with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage were successful strategies for the treatment of this unusual case of pyogenic liver abscesses and bacteremia caused by Lactobacillus gasseri.

Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) are volatile signals emitted by plants to deter herbivores and attract their natural enemies. To date, it is unknown how lychee plants, Litchi chinensis, respond to the induction of leaf galls (erinea) caused by the lychee erinose mite (LEM), Aceria litchii. Aiming to reveal the role of HIPVs in this plant-mite interaction, we investigated changes in the volatile profile of lychee plants infested by LEM and their role on LEM preferences. The volatile profile of uninfested (flower buds, fruit, leaves and new leaf shoots) and infested plant tissue were characterized under different levels of LEM infestation. Volatiles were collected using head-space-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. Fifty-eight volatiles, including terpenoids, alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes, esters, and ketones classes were identified. Using dual-choice bioassays, we investigated the preference of LEM to uninfested plant tissues and to the six most abundant plant volatiles identified. Uninfested new leaf shoots were the most attractive plant tissues to LEM and LEM attraction or repellence to volatiles were mostly influenced by compound concentration. We discuss possible applications of our findings in agricultural settings.

Since its discovery in North America in 2014, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, has become an economic, ecological, and nuisance pest there. Developing early detection and monitoring tools is critical to their mitigation and control. Previous research found evidence that SLF may use pheromones to help locate each other for aggregation or mating. Pheromone production necessitates specific conditions by the insects, and these must be investigated and described. A chemical process called photo-degradation has been described as a final step in the production of pheromones in several diurnal insect species, in which cuticular hydrocarbons were broken down by sunlight into volatile pheromone components. In this study, photo-degradation was investigated as a possible pheromone production pathway for SLF. Extracts from SLF mixed-sex third and fourth nymphs and male or female adults were either exposed to simulated sunlight to produce a photo-degradative reaction (photo-degraded), or not exposed to light (crude), while volatiles were collected. Behavioral bioassays tested for attraction to volatiles from photo-degraded and crude samples and their residues. In third instars, only the volatile samples from photo-degraded mixed-sex extracts were attractive. Fourth instar males were attracted to both crude and photo-degraded residues, and volatiles of photo-degraded mixed-sex extracts. Fourth instar females were attracted to volatiles of crude and photo-degraded mixed-sex extracts, but not to residues. In adults, only males were attracted to body volatiles from crude and photo-degraded extracts of either sex. Examination of all volatile samples using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that most of the identified compounds in photo-degraded extracts were also present in crude extracts. However, the abundance of these compounds in photo-degraded samples were 10 to 250 times more than their abundance in the crude counterparts. Results from behavioral bioassays indicate that photo-degradation probably does not generate a long-range pheromone, but it may be involved in the production of a short-range sex-recognition pheromone in SLF. This study provides additional evidence of pheromonal activity in SLF.

The tea shot hole borer, Euwallacea perbrevis, has been recently established in Florida, USA, where it vectors fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium dieback in avocado. Pest monitoring uses a two-component lure containing quercivorol and α-copaene. Incorporation of a repellent into IPM programs may reduce the incidence of dieback in avocado groves, particularly if combined with lures in a push–pull system. This study evaluated piperitone and α-farnesene as potential repellents for E. perbrevis, comparing their efficacy to that of verbenone. Replicate 12-week field tests were conducted in commercial avocado groves. Each test compared beetle captures in traps baited with two-component lures versus captures in traps containing lures plus repellent. To complement field trials, Super-Q collections followed by GC analyses were performed to quantify emissions from repellent dispensers field-aged for 12 weeks. Electroantennography (EAG) was also used to measure beetle olfactory response to each repellent. Results indicated that α-farnesene was ineffective; however, piperitone and verbenone were comparable in repellency, achieving 50–70% reduction in captures, with longevity of 10–12 weeks. EAG responses to piperitone and verbenone were equivalent, and significantly greater than response to α-farnesene. Since piperitone is less expensive than verbenone, this study identifies a potential new E. perbrevis repellent.

The horntail snail was detected, in August 2020, in Miami-Dade County. This snail is considered of quarantine importance in the United States because it can become an agricultural pest and potentially host parasitic nematodes of medical significance. A program to survey, control, and eradicate the horntail snail has been implemented by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. A version of this article has been posted on the UF/IFAS Tropical REC website prior to EDIS publication at https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/trecifasufledu/pdf-docs/Horntail-Snail-Extension-10-13-2020.pdf

The horntail snail was detected, in August 2020, in Miami-Dade County. This snail is considered of quarantine importance in the United States because it can become an agricultural pest and potentially host parasitic nematodes of medical significance. A program to survey, control, and eradicate the horntail snail has been implemented by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. A version of this article has been posted on the UF/IFAS Tropical REC website prior to EDIS publication at https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/trecifasufledu/pdf-docs/Horntail-Snail-Extension-10-13-2020.pdf

In recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to food safety and organic horticulture. Thus, people are looking for natural products to manage plant diseases, pests, and weeds. Essential oils (EOs) or EO-based products are potentially promising candidates for biocontrol agents due to their safe, bioactive, biodegradable, ecologically, and economically viable properties. Born of necessity or commercial interest to satisfy market demand for natural products, this emerging technology is highly anticipated, but its application has been limited without the benefit of a thorough analysis of the scientific evidence on efficacy, scope, and mechanism of action. This review covers the uses of EOs as broad-spectrum biocontrol agents in both preharvest and postharvest systems. The known functions of EOs in suppressing fungi, bacteria, viruses, pests, and weeds are briefly summarized. Related results and possible modes of action from recent research are listed. The weaknesses of applying EOs are also discussed, such as high volatility and low stability, low water solubility, strong influence on organoleptic properties, and phytotoxic effects. Therefore, EO formulations and methods of incorporation to enhance the strengths and compensate for the shortages are outlined. This review also concludes with research directions needed to better understand and fully evaluate EOs and provides an outlook on the prospects for future applications of EOs in organic horticulture production.

With the advent of single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq), the field of cell phenotyping is now a data-driven exercise providing statistical evidence to support cell type/state categorization. However, the task of classifying cells into specific, well-defined categories with the empirical data provided by sc/snRNA-seq remains nontrivial due to the difficulty in determining specific differences between related cell types with close transcriptional similarities, resulting in challenges with matching cell types identified in separate experiments. To investigate possible approaches to overcome these obstacles, we explored the use of supervised machine learning methods-logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, neural networks, and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM)-as approaches to classify cell types using snRNA-seq datasets from human brain middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and human kidney. Classification accuracy was evaluated using an F-beta score weighted in favor of precision to account for technical artifacts of gene expression dropout. We examined the impact of hyperparameter optimization and feature selection methods on F-beta score performance. We found that the best performing model for granular cell type classification in both datasets is a multinomial logistic regression classifier and that an effective feature selection step was the most influential factor in optimizing the performance of the machine learning pipelines.

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.

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.

Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is an invasive wood-boring pest first detected in the USA in 2002 in Georgia. The beetle’s dominant fungal symbiont, Harringtonialauricola, causes laurel wilt, a lethal disease of trees in the Lauraceae. Over the past 20 years, X. glabratus and laurel wilt have spread to twelve southeastern states, resulting in high mortality of native Persea species, including redbay (P. borbonia), swampbay (P. palustris), and silkbay (P. humilis). Laurel wilt also threatens avocado (P. americana) in south Florida, but in contrast to the situation in forests, X. glabratus is detected at very low levels in affected groves. Moreover, other species of ambrosia beetle have acquired H. lauricola and now function as secondary vectors. To better understand the beetle communities in different ecosystems exhibiting laurel wilt, parallel field tests were conducted in an avocado grove in Miami-Dade County and a swampbay forest in Highlands County, FL. Sampling utilized ethanol lures (the best general attractant for ambrosia beetles) and essential oil lures (the best attractants for X. glabratus), alone and in combination, resulting in detection of 20 species. This study documents host-related differences in beetle diversity and population levels, and species-specific differences in chemical ecology, as reflected in efficacy of lures and lure combinations.

A profile of the hibiscus bud weevil intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. The hibiscus bud weevil, a pest of China rose hibiscus, originates from northeastern Mexico and southern Texas and can cause large economic losses to hibiscus growers. This fact sheet provides nursery owners, homeowners, and other interested people with information on this serious pest.

A profile of the hibiscus bud weevil intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. The hibiscus bud weevil, a pest of China rose hibiscus, originates from northeastern Mexico and southern Texas and can cause large economic losses to hibiscus growers. This fact sheet provides nursery owners, homeowners, and other interested people with information on this serious pest.

Chemical ecology studies on ambrosia beetles are typically conducted with either wild or laboratory-reared specimens. Unlike laboratory-reared insects, important aspects that potentially influence behavioral responses, such as age, physiological state, and prior experience are unknown in wild specimens. In this study, we compared the electroantennographic (EAG) responses of laboratory-reared and wild X. affinis and X. ferrugineus to 70% ethanol and bark odors (host kairomones) of Bursera simaruba, Mangifera indica, and Persea schiedeana aged for 2, 24, and 48 h. Chemical analyses of each odor treatment (bark species x length of aging) were performed to determine their volatilome composition. EAG responses were different between laboratory-reared and wild X. ferrugineus when exposed to ethanol, whereas wild X. affinis exhibited similar EAG responses to the laboratory-reared insects. Ethanol elicited the strongest olfactory responses in both species. Among the bark-odors, the highest responses were triggered by B. simaruba at 48 h in X. affinis, and P. schiedeana at 24 and 48 h in X. ferrugineus. Volatile profiles varied among aged bark samples; 3-carene and limonene were predominant in B. simaruba, whereas α-copaene and α-cubebene were abundant in P. schiedeana. Further studies are needed to determine the biological function of B. simaruba and P. schiedeana terpenes on X. affinis and X. ferrugineus, and their potential application for the development of effective lures.

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit is a recent crop in South Florida; it belongs to the Cactaceae family, and its scientific name is Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose. This fruit crop has grown rapidly and shows a good potential for commercialization. This fact sheet contains some of the pests and beneficial insects associated with it.

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit is a recent crop in South Florida; it belongs to the Cactaceae family, and its scientific name is Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose. This fruit crop has grown rapidly and shows a good potential for commercialization. This fact sheet contains some of the pests and beneficial insects associated with it.

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit is a recent crop in South Florida; it belongs to the Cactaceae family, and its scientific name is Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose. This fruit crop has grown rapidly and shows a good potential for commercialization. This fact sheet contains some of the pests and beneficial insects associated with it.

Laurel wilt (LW) is a vascular disease caused by a fungal pathogen transmitted to avocado trees by several ambrosia beetle species and through root grafts among adjacent avocado trees. A critical part of preventing and controlling plant diseases is determining the causal agent so that the appropriate management practices can be implemented to eradicate or contain the outbreak. Proper sampling is a critical step in disease diagnosis and in the determination of the causal agent of disease. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department was written by Jonathan Crane, Romina Gazis, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edward Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1394

Laurel wilt (LW) is a vascular disease caused by a fungal pathogen transmitted to avocado trees by several ambrosia beetle species and through root grafts among adjacent avocado trees. A critical part of preventing and controlling plant diseases is determining the causal agent so that the appropriate management practices can be implemented to eradicate or contain the outbreak. Proper sampling is a critical step in disease diagnosis and in the determination of the causal agent of disease. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department was written by Jonathan Crane, Romina Gazis, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edward Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1394

Laurel wilt (LW) is a vascular disease caused by a fungal pathogen transmitted to avocado trees by several ambrosia beetle species and through root grafts among adjacent avocado trees. A critical part of preventing and controlling plant diseases is determining the causal agent so that the appropriate management practices can be implemented to eradicate or contain the outbreak. Proper sampling is a critical step in disease diagnosis and in the determination of the causal agent of disease. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department was written by Jonathan Crane, Romina Gazis, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edward Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1394

This is the Spanish translation of HS1358, Recommendations for the Detection and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado and Related Tree Species in the Home Landscape. Avocado trees are a popular choice for homeowners in Florida, with over 600,000 growing in Florida home landscapes. However, avocado trees as well as others in the Lauraceae family are susceptible to laurel wilt disease, which can kill a tree in as few as three weeks. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides home owners recommendations for identifying and mitigating laurel wilt disease in the home landscape. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edwards Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1384

This is the Spanish translation of HS1358, Recommendations for the Detection and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado and Related Tree Species in the Home Landscape. Avocado trees are a popular choice for homeowners in Florida, with over 600,000 growing in Florida home landscapes. However, avocado trees as well as others in the Lauraceae family are susceptible to laurel wilt disease, which can kill a tree in as few as three weeks. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides home owners recommendations for identifying and mitigating laurel wilt disease in the home landscape. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edwards Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1384

This is the Spanish translation of HS1358, Recommendations for the Detection and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado and Related Tree Species in the Home Landscape. Avocado trees are a popular choice for homeowners in Florida, with over 600,000 growing in Florida home landscapes. However, avocado trees as well as others in the Lauraceae family are susceptible to laurel wilt disease, which can kill a tree in as few as three weeks. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides home owners recommendations for identifying and mitigating laurel wilt disease in the home landscape. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edwards Evans. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1384

Many real-world applications have been suggested in the swarm robotics literature. However, there is a general lack of understanding of what needs to be done for robot swarms to be useful and trusted by users in reality. This paper aims to investigate user perception of robot swarms in the workplace, and inform design principles for the deployment of future swarms in real-world applications. Three qualitative studies with a total of 37 participants were done across three sectors: fire and rescue, storage organization, and bridge inspection. Each study examined the users' perceptions using focus groups and interviews. In this paper, we describe our findings regarding: the current processes and tools used in these professions and their main challenges; attitudes toward robot swarms assisting them; and the requirements that would encourage them to use robot swarms. We found that there was a generally positive reaction to robot swarms for information gathering and automation of simple processes. Furthermore, a human in the loop is preferred when it comes to decision making. Recommendations to increase trust and acceptance are related to transparency, accountability, safety, reliability, ease of maintenance, and ease of use. Finally, we found that mutual shaping, a methodology to create a bidirectional relationship between users and technology developers to incorporate societal choices in all stages of research and development, is a valid approach to increase knowledge and acceptance of swarm robotics. This paper contributes to the creation of such a culture of mutual shaping between researchers and users, toward increasing the chances of a successful deployment of robot swarms in the physical realm.

The lethal laurel wilt epidemic affecting avocado trees in Florida is caused by a fungal pathogen-ambrosia beetle complex (LW-AB). The death of over 120,000 commercial avocado trees in Florida may be attributed to LW-AB. Recommendations for control and mitigation of this epidemic are needed to guide commercial producers in their decision-making process. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department outlines the LW-AB epidemic, provides information on the pathogen and ambrosia beetle vectors, provides a brief outline of current research findings, and offers recommendations for the control and mitigation of LW-AB. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo, Edward A. Evans, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski. Correction as of 3/30/2020: Under "Prophylactic Fungicide Injections," this document previously said that when using Tilt, growers needed to have in their possession a Section 18 special local needs label (SLN). This has been corrected to read that they need a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label.

The lethal laurel wilt epidemic affecting avocado trees in Florida is caused by a fungal pathogen-ambrosia beetle complex (LW-AB). The death of over 120,000 commercial avocado trees in Florida may be attributed to LW-AB. Recommendations for control and mitigation of this epidemic are needed to guide commercial producers in their decision-making process. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department outlines the LW-AB epidemic, provides information on the pathogen and ambrosia beetle vectors, provides a brief outline of current research findings, and offers recommendations for the control and mitigation of LW-AB. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo, Edward A. Evans, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski. Correction as of 3/30/2020: Under "Prophylactic Fungicide Injections," this document previously said that when using Tilt, growers needed to have in their possession a Section 18 special local needs label (SLN). This has been corrected to read that they need a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label.

The lethal laurel wilt epidemic affecting avocado trees in Florida is caused by a fungal pathogen-ambrosia beetle complex (LW-AB). The death of over 120,000 commercial avocado trees in Florida may be attributed to LW-AB. Recommendations for control and mitigation of this epidemic are needed to guide commercial producers in their decision-making process. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department outlines the LW-AB epidemic, provides information on the pathogen and ambrosia beetle vectors, provides a brief outline of current research findings, and offers recommendations for the control and mitigation of LW-AB. Written by Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo, Edward A. Evans, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski. Correction as of 3/30/2020: Under "Prophylactic Fungicide Injections," this document previously said that when using Tilt, growers needed to have in their possession a Section 18 special local needs label (SLN). This has been corrected to read that they need a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label.