-

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~ ~ Florida Exotic Pest ~lant CounCll 1

15 th Annual ConfenCtnce - . May 16-19, 2000 \,

Westin Beach Resort -A. Key Largo, Florida

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1:00·3 '00 3:00·600

7:30·12:30

800·5:00

FLEPPC Committee Meetings

Florida EluCie Ilcst Pia at Council Firttenlh Annual COI(eruC'C'

May 16·19,2000

Westin Bench Resort Key Largo, Florida

Tutsday. "'ay 16111

Founh quancr FLEPPC Board of Directors Meeting Early Registration Field Trip- Night fishing trip uhoard the Sailors Choice II

Wednesday,May 17'"

Rcgi~rt1tion

Opening Session, Moderator: Doria Gordon

800·8: JO 8:111·9:00

9.30·10011

Call to Order. Tony Pemus. FlEPPC Chair Keynolc Address Controlling Invasive Plants: Win (3 few), Lose (many), Draw (a few more) RiclHlrd N. Mack. School of Oiological Sciences. Washington State University. Pullman. WashinG-ton. Exotic Ncwconu.'f'S to South Florida. Roger Hammer. Resource ManngcrYk.'tu Supervisor. Minmi·Dndc Counly Parks and Recreatiun Ocpan­ment. Miami, Florida. Break

Moderalor; Randall Stocker

11100·10:10 10'10·10'40 10.40·11 :00 I 100·1 110

11 '20·1 lAO 11.40·12.00

1100·1 :00

The Federal Invasive Species Council . Gordon Brown. Acting CO-(;1(cculive Director InvUSlVe Spcci..:s Council. Washingtun. DC. Invasivl! 1'13nl Summil :WOO - Overview and Update. Bill Torres. Bureau Chief. DEP Bureau of Invasive Plants. Tallahass,-'1:. Florida. Invasive Speci,-'S Around the Country. Tim Playford. NUlionullnva.~ive Species Coordinator. Dow Agrosciences USD,\ :'/.PH!S iPPQ rn!ici::.; ;m'J P;'{).: .. :Jurc~ to Pre\"-!lt Introducti: . .'n5 tlrE~ctic P,-'$~:': . NcI:.::1lc~Qn. Pu~lic f\ITuirs ~pccia!isL USOA. API liS, Gain...'Svilie. Florida. USDA IAI'I·IIS IPPO Miami Intemntional Airpoc1 Ins""'"'Ction CenH ..... L'-'ovtddo Castaneda. USDA. API·IIS, Miami. HOfida. FLEPPCIFNGA tiason Commiul'C: Wot'L:ing Togethl.'f. Ben BoIusky. EXl'Cutive Director. Florida Nurserymen and GnlWcrs Association. Or­lando. Florida. Lunch

Landscapes and Gardens, Moderator: Mike Bodle

1.00·1.20

1:10·1 :40

1:40·2 '00

2:00-2.20 1'20·2:40

1:40·3 .00

Natuf"Jlization Patterns of Horticultural Plants in Florida . Rohert W. Pl.:mbcrton Invasive weed Resl.:arch. Agriculturol Rl.:sl!arch Service, United Statc..'S Ocpartmcnt of Agriculturl.:. FI Lauderdale. Florida. 'nle Efforts of the Floridu Yards & Neighborhoods Program 10 Educate Stakeholdl.:fS About the Danb't:fS of Invasive Plants. Christine Kl.:Ily· Bet;azu. Statewide COOfl.1inntOf fOf the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (Fr&,v) Prosrom. UFItFAS. Gainl'SviUe. florida, Alternative Landscaping for the Progressively Minded. Andreas Dachnick and Amy Fl'fJitl'f. Director ofHoniculture McKl'C BOlunical Gar­den. Vero Beuch. Florida and Environmental Scientist. South Florida Water Management Dislrict. Wesl Palm Beach. respectively. Responsible Landscaping. Sl.:uing an Example, Dr. Julia Kornegay. Director. Fairchild Tropical Garden. Coral Gublcs, Florida. That IFAS Assessment Tlung ---. Alison Fox. Assistant Professor. UF}WAS Agronomy Department Cenler for AquUlic nnd Invasive Plants. Gainesville. Floridu. Break

Lygodium Panel Discussion, Moderator: Amy Fcrritl.:r

7;00· ,!'!'!

8.00·11:00

Climbing Ferns. L)'gocilllm mlcroph)'lIl1m and L.japon;cmw Whc:re did Ihey come from, whcre arc they going. and what do we do about them?" Pnnl.:lists. Tom Fucigna. Rnndull Stocker, Kathy Craddock Burks, Tony Pernus. Dick Roberts. Bob Pemberton. Bill Thomas, George Gunn. Elroy Timmer. Mark Zc1kr. Social. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Field Trips (All day) EV1.'Jling field trip

Registration

Thursday. May 18111

I

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Fifteenth Annual Conference

May 16-19,2000

Westin Beach Resort Ke!l Largo, Florida

TUESDAY, MAY 16 1:00-3:00

3:00-6:00

FLEPPC Committee Meetings

Fourth quarter FLEPPC Board of Directors Meetinl\.

EvenIng FIshing Cruise Sailors Choice II. 65-foot aluminum vessel. air-conditioned cabin. BYO refreshments. Night Fishing (Hours: 3:30 p.m. - 12;30 a.m.). Trip fee includes an applicable fishing license (for that trip only). gear & bait. S33{each (49 passengers max). Boat docks in canal on north side of the Holiday Inn at (MM 100).

WEDNESDAY. MAY 17

8:00-5:00 Registration

Opening Session: Doria Gordon, Moderator 8:00-8:10

8:10-9:00

Call to Order. Tony Pernas. FLEPPC Chair

Keynote Address: Controlling Invasive plants: Win (a few). Lose (many). Draw (a few more).

Richard N. Mack. School of Biological Sciences. Washington State University. Pullman. Washington.

9:00-9:30 Exotic Newcomers to South Florida. Roger Hammer. Resource Management Supervisor. Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department.

9:30-10:00 Break

10:00-10:20 Noxious Exotic Weed Task Team of the South Florida Everglades Restoration Task Force. Bob Doren. National Park Service. Boca Raton. Florida.

10:20-10:40 Invasive Plant Summit 2000 - Overview and Update. Bill Torres. Bureau Chief. DEP Bureau of Invasive Plants. Tallahassee.

10:40-11 :00 Invasive Species Around the Country. Tim Playford. National Invasive Species Coordinator. Dow Agrosciences

II :00-11 :20 USDA {APHIS {PPO Policies and Procedures to Prevent Introductions of Exotic Pests. Nolan Lemon. Public Affairs Specialist. USDA. APHIS. Gainesville. FL.

II :20-11 :40 USDA {APHIS {PPO Miami International Airport Inspection Center. Leovaldo Castaneda. USDA. APHIS. Miami.

II :40-12:00 FLEPPClFNGA Liaison Committee: Working Together. Ben Bolusky. Executive Director. Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association. Orlando.

12:00-1 :00 Lunch

Landscapes and Gardens, Moderator: Mike Bodle 1:00-1:20

1:20-1:40

1:40-2:00

2:00-2:20

2:20-2:40

2:40-3:00

3:00-5:00

6:00 -??

Naturalization Patterns of Horticultural Plants in Florida. Robert W. Pemberton Invasive Weed Research. Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Ft. Lauderdale. Florida.

The Efforts of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program to Educate Stakeholders About the Dangers of Invasive Plants. Christine Kelly-Begazo. Statewide Coordinator for the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FY&N) Program. UFIIFAS. Gainesville.

Alternative Landscaping for the Progressively Minded. Andreas Daehnick. Director of Horticulture and Amy Ferriter. Senior Environmental Scientist. McKee Botanical Gardens. Vero Beach. Florida and South Florida Water Management District. West Palm Beach. respectively.

Responsible Landscaping: Setting an Example. Dr. lulia Komegay. Director. Fairchild Tropical Garden. Coral Gables. Florida.

That IFAS Assessment Thing ---------. Alison Fox. Assistant Professor. UFIIFAS Agronomy Department Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Gainesville.

Break

Lygodlum Panel Discussion, Moderator: Tom Fuclgna Climbing Ferns. Lygodium microphyllum and L. japonicum: Where did they come from. where are they going. and what do we do about them? Panelists: Randall Stocker. Kathy Craddock Burks. Tony Pernas. Dick Roberts. Bob Pemberton. Bill Thomas. George Gann. Elroy Timmer. Mark Zeller.

Dinner Social. lohn Pennekamp State Park. $20.00. Sunset dining including live music. grilled seafood. beer. wine and soft drinks .

THURSDAY. MAY 18

FIeld Trips: Field Trips (half day and full day trips): Florida Keys destination locations are given by mile marker (abbreviated as MM). Park entrance fees waived for conference field trip. All trips via carpooling In private vehicles. arrangements to be made at depar­ture point. Be Prepared: Walking shoes. hat. sunscreen. bug repellent. canteen. birding gear. masks/snorkel.

Deerln, Estate/Cape Florida State Recreation Area (full day). Guide/Hosts: George Gann or Keith Bradley/Alice Warren-Bradley. Liz Golden). Capacity: 25. Level of DIfficulty: Easy walking on well maintained trails. Cost: $15 will cover entrance fees. box lunch. and drinks. Hours: 9 - 5.

T~is is an taSl/ walking fitId lrip 10 one counlg pari and one slale pari. tach 1IIi1li amoilious exotic species conlrol programs. BoI~ silts Igpicallg provide inleresling Dirding opportunilies. and especiallg al Deering. some unusual exolic Dirds. Cape Florida 90 minults nort~ 0{ Keg Largo. In 1992. Hurricane Andrew /fallened 410 acres 0{ Casuarina foresl on Ihe tasllip of Keg Biscagne and crtaled Ihe needed caialysl and funding 10 oegin one of I~e largesl resloralion projecls in I~e slale. Serious problems remain wil~ Ihe conlrol of Sc~inus. Ceslrum. Coluorina. Scaevola . Negraudia and Lanlana hybrids. Lunc~ willoe on your own allhe pari concession or al reslauranls enroule 10 Ihe Deering Eslale. A/ler lunch we will visillhe Deering Eslale. a 420·acre Miami-Dade Counlg Hisloric Sile. halfwag back 10 Key Largo. A diverse mosaic of pinelands. hammocks. mangroves. and sail marsh wilh exolic conlrol issues Ihroug~oul. Schinus. Neymudia. Leucaena. Thespesia. lasminum. and Sanseveiria are particularly proolemalic. Time permilling. a oritf slop will De made 10 see Fain:hild Tropical Garden Reseanh etnler's Herbarium. willi a lour guided by Gerald ' SI ringer" Guala.

Key Lar,o Hammocks State Botanical Site (half-day trip), Guide (and host): Blolo,lst Janice Duquesnel (with Ran,er Josef Nemec). Capacity: 25. Level of DIfficulty: Moderate. Cost: $10 covers box lunch. soft drinks. water. Hours: 9 - 5. 2.500-acre KLH conlains Ihe largesl remaining examples of rockland hammock in Ihe Uniled Sialts. Rare and tisled species include Ihe Schaus swal-10Wiailoulierfly (onlg observaole May - lulg). Keg largo woodral and collon mouse. and a long lisl ofWesllndian lrees (/ignumvilae. mahogany) rarely seen north of I~e Keys . A/ler visiling exolic conlrol siles and pristine ~ammock. Ihe morning will end al a hammock infesled by sapodilla (Maniliara ZIIpola). a species recogniwi oy Ihe counly. oul nol gelog FLEPPC. as an invader of undisluroed hammock. Those wishing 10 remain afler lunc~ for a sapodilla seedling pull.

Deerln, Estate/Cape Florida State Recreation Area (full day). Guide!Hosts: George Gann or Keith Bradley/Alice Warren-Bradley. Liz Golden). Capacity: 25. Level of DIfficulty: Easy walking on well maintained trails. Cost: $15 will cover entrance fees. box lunch. and drinks. Hours: 9 - 5.

T~is is an easy walking field lrip 10 one counlg pari and one slale pari. each wilh ambilious exolic species conlrol programs. Bolh siles Iypically pro­vide inleresling birding opportunilies. and especially al Deering. some unusual exolic oirds. Cape Florida 90 minules north of Keg Largo. in 1992.

Florida botle Pest Plant Co_cD

Hurricane Andrew /IIItuned 410 acres of Cosuarina fomt on the east tip of Kty Biscayne and created the needed catalllSt and funding to begin one of the largest mtoration projects in the state. Serious problems remain with the control of Schinus, Cestrum, Colubrina, Scaevola, Neyraudia and Lantana hybrids. Lunch will be on your own at the par* concession or at restaurants enroute to the Dtering Estate. After lunch we will visit the DUring Estate, a 420·acre Mlami·Dade County Historic Site, halfway back to Kty Largo. A diverse mosaic of line lands, hammocks, mangroves, and salt marsh with exotic control issues throughout. Schinus, Neyraudia, Leucaena, Thespesia, lasminum, an Sanseveiria are particularly prob­lematic. Time permitting, a brief stop will be made to see Fainhild Tropical Garden Reseanh Center's Herfiarium, with a tour guided by Gerald "Stringer" Guala. Key Larco Hammocks State Botanical Site (half-day trip). Guide (and host): Biologist lanice Duquesnel (with Ranger losef Nemec). Capacity: 25. Level of DIfficulty: Moderate. Cost: $10 covers box lunch, soft drinks, water. Hours: 9 - 5.

2,500-acre KLH contains the largest remaining exomp/es of rockland hammock in the United States. Rare and listed species include the Schaus swallowtail butterfly (only observable May -Iuly), Key largo woodrat and cotton mouse, and a long list of West Indian trees (Iignumvitae, mahogany) rarely seen north of tile Ktys. After visiting exotic control sites and pristine hammock, the morning will end at a hammock infested by sapodilla (Manilkara zapata) , a species recognized by the county, but not yet by FLEPPC, as an invader of undisturfied hammock. Those wishing 10 remain after lunch for a sapodilla seedling pull.

Long Key State park (MM 68) (full-day trip). Field Trip Coordinator: lim DuquesneJ. Capacity: 15. Level of DIfficulty: Moderate (up to 4 hours of canoe paddling). Cost: $20 will cover canoe, box lunch, and drinks. Hours: 9 - 4:30.

This is a canoe trip that is expedtd to last 5 to 6 hours. The trip departs from Long Key's canoe dock at 9:00 a.m. and proceeds through mangrove lined Zane Grey Creek. After crossing tile expansive turtle grass fiats of Long Kty Bight (small shaoo, rags and bone/ish), the group will stop at Long Key Point for lunch (and to fish or snorkel), and to see a rare plant reintroduction site and habitat restoration efforts which include a contract­ed Casuarina and Colubrina control projects. The canoes should return to the dock by 3:00 p.m.

Crane PoInt Nat. Hlst. Museum (MM 50)/Bahla Honda State Park (MM 38) (full-day trip). Field Trip Coordinator: TBA. Capacity: 20. Level of DIfficulty: Easy walking on hard packed sand trail and on beach. Cost: Bring food or money lor meals on your own. Hours: 9 - 5.

Up to 2 hours will be spent in the Ktys Museum of Natural History and on Hammock trails there observing a low canopy rockland hammock and invasions by several problem spectes. After lunch at a local restaurant, the trip will re·group at 2:00 p.m. at Bahia Honda State Par*, where the sandy nature trail features rare plants, including dune liIy·thorn, satinwood, and silver thatch palms, and one of America's best beaches.

Everglades National ParkIFlorlda Bay (MM 74, Lower Matecumbe Key) (full-day). Guide: Everglades National Park's (and EPPC's) Tony Pemas. Capacity: minimum 30, maximum 86 (Corinthian vessel capacity: 43 passengers). Cost: $20 per person will cover boat, box lunch, soft drinks, water. Level of DIfficulty: easy. Hours: 8 - 5.

Boat(s) depart Sea Base at 9:00 a.m. (sharp) for a hack-country trip to Cape Sabel and or Flamingo. Depending mostly on rainfall in the weeks prior, this trip can produce extreme mosquito and fiy densities or almost none at all. Inquire at the conference the day before, and be prepared. The National Par*'s remove islands are especially vulnerable to invasion by drift seeds, including Scaevola and eolubrina, and perhaps to a lesser extent, wind-and bird· dispersed seeds such as Casuarina and Schinus. Birding may also be interesting 9eagles, spoonbills, /IIImingos, and other waders). The boat(s) should return to the dock by 5:00 p.m.

West Summerland Key/Key Deer WIldlife Refuge (MM30) (full-day trip). Guide/Host): Alison HigginS/Phil Frank. Capacity: 25. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (up to 4 hours of canoe paddling). Cost: lunch at the (in) famous No Name Pub and wliatever you spend in Key West. Hours: 9 - 5???

West Summerland Kty is the largest invasive species control project by Ihe Florida Keys Invasive Exotic Task Fone. Coordinating local donations of labor, equipment, materials, and publicity, the working group has removed invasive plants and started replanting natives on an island comprised of fwo adjoining scout camps. After lunch, Task Fone representative Alison Higgins, with Refuge Biologist Phil Frank, will present a brief slide show on the task fone activities, including a county-wide mapping project at the refuge office. Site visits will include the Blue Hole and Watson's Hammock, with likely sightings of Key deer and rare endemic plants.

WIndley Key State Fossil Reef State EcologIcal SIte (MM 84) (Half-day trip) . Field Trip Coordinator (and Host): FPS Park Ranger TBA. Capacity: 24. Level of DIfficulty: Very easy walking on well maintained, unpaved trails. Be Prepared: Comlortable shoes, hat and sunscreen, mosquito repellent. Cost: No costs. Lunch on your own. Departure TIme: 9:00 a.m. Estimated Return TIme: 12:00 p.m.

Windley Key high topography invited rock quarrying. Large blocks of Key Largo limestone were removed, sliced and shaped, and used in construc­lion all over the eastern U.S. Visit this site's new visitor center and hammock trails, learning about the West Indian tree species found in the island's ne rockland hammock.

Ugnumvltae Key State Botanical SIte (MM 78) (half·day trip). Field Trip Coordinator/Host: TBA. Capacity: 25. Level of DIfficulty: Very easy walking on well maintained, unpaved trails. Cost $10 covers boat trip to and from Lignumvitae Key (or pay $5 and stay). Hours: I - 5.

ltep back to the I 920s while visiting Lignumvitae Key's Matheson House. See minor infestations and control of Thespesia, Schinus, and ~anjlkara . Then tour the island's pristine hammock with Par* Ranger. If rainy season arrives early (hy May 8), Lignumvitae Key could be tremely mosquito infested.

3

Florida Exotic Peat Plant Council

Thursday Evenlnc Sunset Cruise Sunset cruise to Porjoe Key (soft drinks sold on board, beer and wine - b.y.o.b.). Capacity: minimum of 25, maximum of 49. Cost: $20. Vessel departs Pennekamp (or Westin?) for a late afternoon/evening cruise to Florida Bay's remote mangrove island Porjoe Key. With cooperation from weather and birds, the setting sun can create a stunning image as double-crested cormoran roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds return to the little green islands for the night.

FRIDAY, MAY 19 8:00-12:00 Registration

7:50-8:00 Announcements

Local and Regional Programs, Moderator: Hillary Cherry 8:00- 8:20 The Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force: Progress through Partnership. Chris Bergh, Regional land Stewar

and Chairman of the Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force, The Nature Conservancy of the Florida Keys, Big Pine Key.

8:20-8:40 The Florida Keys Green Sweep Initiative: Pulling Weeds and Planting Natives. Alison Higgins, Florida Keys Stewardship Assistant and coordinator of the Florida Keys GreenSweep Initiative, The Nature Conservancy of the Florida Keys, Big Pine Key.

8:40-9:00 Generating Community Awareness and Support for Invasive Exotic Removal Programs in Urban Nature Parks. Steven Vann and Denise Sauerbrey, City of Gainesville, Gfville, Florida.

9:00-9:20 Establishing the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. Brian Bowen, Tennessee Natural Areas Administrator, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation\Division of Natural Heritage, and SE-EPPC Coordinator Nashville.

9:20-10:00 FlEPPC Annual Business Meeting

10:00-10:20 Break

Blocontrol, Moderator: Jim Cuda 10:20-10:40 Australian Biological Control laboratory: Contributions to Biological Control of Florida Weeds. lohn Goolsby,

Director and Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Australian Biological Control laboratory, Indooroopilly, Australia, I.R. Makinson, M.F. Purcell, A.D.Wright, and R. Zonneveld, CSIRO.

10:40-11:00 Update on ARSIUSDA Projects in the Gainesville Quarantine. Gary R. Buckingham ARSIUSDA, Gainesville, Florida.

11 :00-11 :20 FergulOnina spp. and Fergusobia spp: A Unique Gall-forming Mutualism for the Biological Control of Melaleuca quin­quenervia. Ted D. Center, Robin Giblin-Davis, Barbara I. Center, Matthew Purcell, Sonya Scheffer, and lohn Goolsby. USDA-ARS, Aquatic Plant Control Research Unit, Fort lauderdale, Florida.

11:20-11:40 Is Biological Control of Tropical Soda Apple Feasible? I. Medal. D. Gandolfo, and R. Pitelli, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, USDA-ARS-Biological Control laboratory, Argentina and Universidad Estadual Paulista, labotista, Sao Paulo, Brazil. respectively

II :40-12:00 Host Specificity Studies of the Thrips, Pseudophiltftrips iehini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripae), a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Brazilian Peppertree. I.P. Cuda, I.C. Medal. D.H. Habeck, and 1.1. Gillmore. Entomology and Nematology Department, UFIIFAS, Gainesville.

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1 :20

1:20-1:40

2:00-2:20

2:20-2:40

3:00-3:20

General Session, Moderator: Dan Clark The Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval Service (APIRS): How to Find What You're looking for. Karen Brown, Information Specialist, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

Shoebutton Ardisla, Ardisia eliptita, in Everglades National Park. lean and Rick Seavey, Program volunteers, National Park Service, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida.

A Research Agenda leading to Cost-Effective Management of Chinese Tallow (5apium sebiferum) in Coastal Southern Georgia. Cheryl M. McCormick, Doctoral Student, Institute of Ecology, UGa, Athens, Georgia 30602-2022.

The effect of simulated herbivory on the growth of Ardisia ef/iptica an invasive non-indigenous species in South Florida. Tony Koop, University of Miami, Dept. of Biology, Coral Gables, FL.

Break

4

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

General Session, Moderator: Tony Pernas 3:20-3:40 Mapping Invasive Plants with Hyperspectral Data. Marcus Borengasser. Midwest Research Institute.

Palm Bay. Florida.

3:40-4:00 Panther's Plethora of Plant Pests. Dennis I. Giardina. Biologist. US Fish and Wildlife Service Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuges.

4:00-4:20 Comparison of Herbicide Mixtures and Application Methods for the Chemical Control of Bowstring Hemp (Snake Plant. Mother-in-Iaw's tong). Sansevieria hyacinthoides. Jim Burney. Aquatic Vegetation Control. Inc. Allison Holzhausen. Palm Beach County Dept.. of Environmental Management. and Phil Waller. American Cyanamid.

4:20-4:40 Performance Based Vegetation Management Systems. Christopher S. Dray. Centrogen. Holly Springs. North Carolina.

4:40-5:00 Toxicity of Florida's Non-Native Flora. Bobby Hattaway. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Division of Recreation and Parks. Osprey.

5:00 Adjourn Fifteenth Annual Conference. Ken Langeland

Alternate Presentations: Results of 18 Herbicide Treatments on Lygodium microphyllum in Three Ecologically Different Sites. C. Elroy Timmer and Vernon V. Vandiver Ir.

Poster Presentations: ~actors That Affect the Distribution of Paederia foe/ida in Four Natural Areas. D.M. Brazis and R.K. Stocker. Graduate Research \ssistant and Professor. respectively. UFIIFAS. Agronomy. Department Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

:valuation of the Native Leaf Beetles Leplinota~ defttta and L. /exana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as Potential Biological Control .gents for Three Exotic Solanum spp. (Solanaceae) in Florida. I. P Cuda'. B. R. Coon'. I. L. Gillmore'. I. M. Harrison'. PE. Parker'

JFIIFAS Department of Entomology & Nematology. 'Florida UFIIFAS Department of Statistics Gainesville. 'USDA. APHIS. lission plant Protection Center. Mission. Texas. respectively.

:ology of an Invasive Florida Shrub: Downy Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) . I. E. Possley and R. K. Stocker. Graduate ~search Assistant and Professor. respectively. UFIIFAS. Agronomy Department. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

3ter uptake patterns of the invasive exotic S,hinus terebinthifolius in Southwest Florida. aron M. L. Ewe. L. de la Sternberg. University of Miami. Department of Biology. Coral Gables. FL.

ology of an invasive Florida shrub: Downy rose myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa).Jennifer E. Possley and R.K. Stocker. iversity of Florida. Agronomy Dept.. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Gainesville. FL.

~gerhead sea turtle (Carella ,arella) nesting before and after Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) removal. Ryder. D. Addison and M. Shirley. Rookery Bay NERR. Naples. FL.

Island restoration. hany Storm and K. Tremper. Rookery Bay NERR. Naples. FL.

lIovlsual: Mike Bodle and Steve Smith, South Florida Water Management District

5

www.fleppc.org www.sfwmd.gov

7:50-8:00 Announcements

Local and Regional Programs. Modcmlor: Hillary Cherry

8:00- 8.20

8:20-8;40

8:40-9:00

9:00-9:20

9:20-10·00 10:00-10:20

The Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force: Progress through Pnrtnership. Chris Bergh. Regional Land Steward and Chairman of the Flor­ida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force, The Nature Conservancy orthe Florida Keys, Big Pine Key, Florida. The Florida Keys Green Sweep Iniliativc: Pulling Weeds and Planling Natives. Alison Higgins, Florida Keys Stewardship Assislunt and Co­ordinator orlhe Florida Keys GreenSweep Initialive. The Nature Conservancy orlhe Florida Keys, Big Pine Key, Florida. Generating Community Awareness and suppon for Invasive Exotic Removal Programs in Urban Nature Parks. Sleven Vann and Denise Sauer­brey. City of Gainesville. Gainesville. Florida. Establishing the Southeast Exotic Pest Planl Council. Brian Bowen, Tennessee Natural Areas Administrator, Tennessee Department of Envi­ronment and Conservation\Division of Natural Heritage, and SE-EPPC Coordinator. Nashville, Tennessee. FLEPPC Annual Business Meeting Brenk

Biocontrol. Moderator: Jim Cuda

10:20- \0:40

10:40-11 :00 11 :00-11 :20

11 :20-11 :40

11 :40-12:00

1200-1 :00

Australian Biological Control Laboratory: Contributions to Biological Control of Florida Weeds. John Goolsby, Director and Research Ento­mologist. USDA-ARS Australian Biological Conlrol Laboratory, lndooroopilly, Australia, lR. Makinson. M.F. Purcell, A.D. Wright. and R. Zonneveld, CSIRO, Australia. Update on ARS/USDA Projects in the Gainesville Quarantine. Gary R. Buckingham ARS/USDA, Gainesville, Florida. Fergusonina spp. and Fergusobia spp: A Unique Gall-forming Mutualism for lhe Biological Control of Alelaleuca qUinquenen>ia. Ted D. Center, Robin Giblin-Davis, Barbara J. Center. Matthew Purcell, Sonya Scheffer, and John Goolsby. Ted Center, Research Entomolog.ist. USDA-ARS, Aquatic Plant Control Research Unit, Ft . Lauderdale, Florida. Is Biological Control of Tropical Soda apple Feasible? J. Medal. D. Gandolfo, and R. Pitelli. University of Florida. Entomology and Nematol­ogy Department, USDA-ARS-Biological Control Laboratory, Argentina and Unn'ersldad ESladuai Pauilsla, Jabollsta. Sao Paulo, Brazil. re­spectively. Host Specificity Studies of the Thrips. PselidoplJiltltrips eI,ini (Thysanoptera~ Phlaeothripae), a I}otential Biocontrol Agent for Brazilian Pep­pertree. J.P. Cuda. J C. Medal , D.H. Habeck, and JJ Gillmore. Jim Cuda is Assistant Professor. Entomology and Nematology Department, UFIIFAS. Gainesville, Florida. Lunch

General Session, Moderator: Dan Clark

1 :00-1 "20

1 :20-1.40

1:40-200

2:00-2;20

2:20-2:40

2:40-3:00

3:00-3:20

The Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval Service (APIRS): How to Find What You' re Looking for. Karen Brown,lnformation Specialist, UFI IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Gainesville, Florida Shoehuuon Ardisia. Ardisia eliptica. in Everglades National Park. Jean and Rick Seavey, Program volunteers. National Park Service, Ever­glades National Park, Homestead. Florida. Noxious Exotic Weed Task Team ofthe South Florida Everglades Restoration Task Force. Bob Doren, National Park Service, Boca Raton, Florida. A Research Agenda Leading to Cost-Effective Managemenl of Chinese Tallow (SapiJlnl sebiferwn) in Coastal Southern Georgia. Cheryl M. McCormick, Doctoral Student, Institute of Ecology. UGA, Athens, Georgia. Nandina domeslica in Florida's Natural Areas: Life History and Ecophysiology. l'lillary Cherry. Botany Department nnd Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, UF/IFAS, Gainesville. Florida. The Importance of Life History Studies and the Case of Ardisia crenala. Gretchen Lindstrom and Alison Fox, Graduate Research Assistant and Assistant Professor, respectively. UFJIFAS, Agronomy. Department Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plnnts, Gainesville. Florida. Break

General Session, Moderator: Tony Pernas

3:20-3:40 3:40-4:00

4·20-4:40 4;40-5:00

Mapping Invasive Plants with Hyperspectral Data. Marcus Borengnsser, Midwest Research Institute, Palm Bay, Florida. Panther'S Plethora of Plant Pests . Dennis J. Giardina. Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands Na­tional Wildlife Refuges Comparison of Herbicide Mixtures and Application Methods for Ihe Chemical Control of Bowstring Hemp (Snake Plant. Mother-in-Iaw's tong). Sansevieria hyacinthoides. Jim Burney. Aquatic Vegetation Control. Inc. Allison Holzhausen, Palm Beach County Dept. of Environ­mental Management. and Phil Waller. American Cyanamid Perfonnance Based Vegetation Management Systems Christopher S. Dray. Centrogen. "lolly Springs, North Carolina. Toxicity to Humans of Florida's Non-Native Flora. Bobby Hattaway. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, Osprey, Florida. Adjourn Fifteenth Annual Conference, Ken Langeland

FIEI.DTRIPS

Fjeld Trim ' half day and full day trins!: Florida Keys destination locations are given by mile marker (abbreviated as MM). Park entrance fees waived for conference field trip. All trips via carpooling in private vehicles. arrangements to be made . Prepared: walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bug repellent,

canteen. birding car, masks/snorkel.

Tuesday. May 16'11

Evening Field Trip Sailors Choice II, 65" aluminum vessel , air-conditioned cabin. BYO refreshments. Night Fishing (Hours: 7:30pm- 12:30am) Trip fee includes and applicable fish­ing license (for that trip only), gear & bait. $33'each (49 passengers max). Boat docks in canal on north side oflhe Holiday Inn at (MM 100).

Thursday. May 18111

• Deering Estate ICape FloridA State Recreation Area (full day), GuidclHosts): George Gann or Keith Bmdley IAlice Warren-Bmdley ,Liz Golden}Capacity: 2S Level Of Difficulty; Ensy walking on well maintained tmils. Cost: SIS will cover entrance fees, box lunch, and drinks. Ilours: 9- S

111is is an easy walking field trip to one county park and one state park, each with ambitious exotic species control programs. Both sites typically provide interesting birding opportunities, and especially at Deering, some unusual exotic birds. Cape Florida 90 minutes north of Key Largo. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew flattened 410 acres of Casuarilra forest on the enst lip of Key Biscayne, and created the needed catalyst and funding 10 begin one of the largest restomtion projects in the state. Seri­ous problems remain with the control of SchinllS, Cesrnun. Co/ubrina. Scaevo/a, Neyralldia and Lanlana hybrids. Lunch will be on your own at the park concession, or at restaumnts eoroute to the Deering Estate Aficr lunch we will visit the Deering Estate, a 420-acre Miami-Dade County Historic Site, hallway back to Key Largo. A divcrse mosaic of pinclands. hammocks, mangroves and salt marsh. with exotic control issues throughout. Scllinlls. Neyra"dia, Lellcaena, rllespesia, Jasmin"l1I, and Sal1sew!iria are particularly problematic. Time pennitting a brief stop will be made to SL'C Fairchild Tropical Garden Research Center's Hcrbarium, wuh a tour guided by Gcrald "Stinger" Guala.

• Key Lllrgo lIammocks State Botanical Site (half-day trip), Guide (and host): Biologist Janice Duquesncl (with Ranger Josef Nemec) Cnpncity; 25. Level Of Difficulty: Modemte. Cost SIO covers box lunch, soft drinks, water. nours: 9-S

2S00-acre KLH contains the largest remaining examplcs of rockland hammock in the United States. Rare and listed species include the Schaus swallowtail bunerfly (only observable May-July). Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse, and a long list of West Indian trees (lignumvitae, mahogany) rarely seen nonh of the Kcys Afier visiting exotic control sites and pristine hammock, the morning will end at a hammock infested by sapodilla (!dani/kara =apota). a species recognized by the county, but not yet by FLEPPC, as an invadcr of undisturbed hammock. Those wishing to remain afier lunch for a sapodilla seedling pull .

• Long Key Slate rnrk (MM 68) (full-day trip). Field Trip Coordinator; Jim Duquesnel Capacity; IS . level or Difficully: Moderate (up to 4 hours of canoe paddling). Cost $20 will cover canoe, box lunch, and drinks. "ours· 9- 4:30

-* This is a canoe trip that is expected to last S 10 6 hours. The trip depans from long Key's canoe dock at 9.00am and proceeds through mangrove lincd Zane Grey Cn.'Ck. Afier crossing. the expansive tunic grass flats of Long Key Bight (small sharks, rays and bonefish) the group will stop at Long Key Point for lunch (and to fish or snorkel), and to sec a rare plant reintroduction site and habitat restoration eITons which include a contracted CaslIarina and CO/llbrina control projects. The canoes should return to the dock by 3 00 pm.

• Crane Point Nat.llist.1\tuseum (MM 50) I Babin Hondll State Park. (MM 38) (full-day trip). Field Trip Coordinator: TBA. CapacUy: 20. Level Of Dlfficully: Easy walking on hard packed sand trail nnd on bench. Cost: Bring lbod or moncy for meals on your own. lIours: 9-S

Up to 2 hours will be spent in the Keys Museum of Naturul I·hstory and on hammock trails there, observing a low canopy rockland hammock and invasions by several problem species. Afier lunch at a local restaurant, the trip will re-group at 2.00pm at Bahia Honda State Park, where the sandy nature trail features rare plants inclw.ling dune lily-thorn, satinw(lod, and silver thatch palms, and one of Amenca's best beaches.

• Everglndes NlltioDlIII)nrklFlorida Bay (MM 74, Lower Matccumbe Key) (Full~day) Guide; Everglades National Park's (and EPPC's) Tony Pernas Capacity: minimum 30. maximum 86 (Corinthian vessel ellpacity: 43 passengers) Cost: S20 per person will cover boal, box lunch, soft drinks, water. Level Of Difficulty. easy Hours : 8-S

Boat(s) dcpart Sea Base at 9;OOAM (sharp) for a back-country trip to Cape Sable and or Flamingo. Depcnding mostly on rainlull in the weeks prior, this trip can pro­duce extreme mosquito and fly densitics or almost not at aiL Inquire at the conference the day before and be prepared.11le National Park 's remote islands arc espe­cially vulnerable to invusinn by drifi secds. including Scacvo/a and Co/"bril1a, and perhaps to a lesser extent, wind- and hird~dispersed seeds such as Casllarina and ~hilJlIs . Birding may also be interesting (eagles, spoonbills. llamingos, and other waders). The boat(s) should relurn to the dock by S;OOPM.

• West Summerland Keyl Key Deer Wildlife Refuge (MM 30) (full-day trip). Guidc/Host); Alison Higgins/Phil Fmnk Capacity. 25. level Of Difficulty. Modcrute (up to 4 hours of canoe paddling). Cost lunch at the (in) lumous No Name Pub and whatever you spend in Key West . lIours; 9-S'?'n

West Summerland Key is the largest invasive species control project by the Florida Keys Invasive Exotic Task Force. Coordinating local donations of labor, cquip­mcnt. materials and publicity, the working group has removed invasive plants and started replanting natives on an island comprised of two adjoining scout camps. Afier lunch, Task Force representative Alison 1·liggins, with Refuge Biologist Phil Fmnk, will present a brief slide show on the task force activities, including a county­wide mapping project, at thc rcfuge office. Site visits will include the Blue Hole and Watson's Hammock, with likely sightings of Key deer and rare endemic plants.

• Windlcy Key Slate Fossil RecrSlllte Geological Sile (MM 84) (half-day trip). Field Trip Coordinator (and 1·lost): FPS Park Ranger TBA Capncit)': 24. lC\'cl Of Difficulty: Vcry easy walking on well maintained, unpaved tmils. Bc Prcpared: comfortable shoes, hat and sunscreen, mosquito repellent. Cost No costs, lunch on your own, Deparlure Time: 9.00am Estimated Return Time: 12:00pm

Windley Key high topography invitcd rock quarrying. large blocks of Key Largo limestone were removcd, sliced and shaped and used in construction all over the east­ern US. Visit this site's new visitor center and hammock trails. learning about the West Indian (ree species found in the island 's fine rockland hammock.

~ Lignum\itae Key Siale Bolanlcill Sitc (MM 78) (half-day tnp). Field Trip Coordinator/Host · TBA Capacity. 2S. Level Of Difficulty Very easy walking on

well mamtamed, unpaved, tmlls. Cost ' $10 co\'crs boat trip to and from Lignumvitac Key (or pay $S and stay). lIours I-S

Step back to the 1920s whde visitmg Lignumvuae Key's Matheson house. See minor mfestations and control of rltespesla. SchimlS, and Mam/leara . Then tour the island 's pristine hammock \\lIh Park Ranger. If rainy season arrives early (b) May 8), Lignumvilae Key could be extremely mosquito infested.

-Evening Ficld Trip

• Sunsct at Porjoc Key (sofi drinks sold on board. beer and wine - b.y.o.h.) Capacity: minimum of2S. maximum of 49 Cost $20 Vcssel depans Pennekamp (or Westin?) lor a latc afiernoon/evening cruise to Florida Bay's remote mangrove island Porjoe Key. With cooperation from weather and hirds, the setting sun can create a stunning image as double-crested cormorants, roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds return to the little green island for the night.