Brazilian Peppertree on the Menu

November, 2019
 Lindsey Wiggins, UF/IFAS Extension Hendry County, LaBelle

Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) is one of the most troublesome, invasive weeds on the central and south Florida landscape.  Recognizable by its flashy display of red berries every winter – some may even call it pretty, which is likely how it got introduced to Florida as an ornamental plant in the 1840’s (Barkley 1944).  Dense Brazilian peppertree colonies have invaded native woodlands, roadsides, ditch banks, and valuable grazing land.  This tree can reach heights as high as 33 feet tall making chemical control difficult and costly, leaving many land managers desiring additional control methods; such as biological control. 

UF/IFAS researcher and entomologist Dr. Carey Minteer has recently received clearance to release a sap sucking insect (Pseudophilothrips ichini), which will be detrimental to Brazilian peppertrees.  These insects are host specific – meaning they will only feed on Brazilian peppertree.  According to UF/IFAS Entomologist Dr. James Cuda and colleagues, the sapsuckers damage the tree from the time they hatch through adulthood.  The larvae cluster around the stem of a new tender shoot and feed by sucking the plant sap; ultimately killing the growing tip.  The adults can be found on the new leaves feeding, mating, and laying more eggs.  Adults will also feed on the flowers and reduce berry/seed formation.  Dr. Cuda points out that the damage caused by the feeding insects will reduce the growth rate of young plants and promote infections by plant pathogens contributing to the death of new shoots/growth.

Dr. Minteer and UF/IFAS county extension agents will begin releasing these sap sucking insects this month and next.  The project is supported by a Florida Cattle Enhancement Board grant.  Biological Control is certainly not a “cure all”, but a great opportunity to broaden integrated pest management practices and reduce pesticide use and expenses.

Dr. Carey Minteer and Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Takeaways:

  1. The University of Florida Entomology Department is releasing an insect that only feeds on Brazilian peppertrees. 

  2. This sap sucking insect damages Brazilian peppertrees by feeding on new plant growth. 

  3. The Cattle Enhancement Board is financially supporting this project, which leads to reduced herbicide expenses for ranchers and provides a service to the Florida ecosystem.

Sources: J. P. Cuda, D. H. Habeck, W. A. Overholt, J. C. Medal, J. H. Pedrosa-Macedo, and M. D. Vitorino. 2016. Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida. Available at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in114  

K. T. Gioeli, S. F. Enloe, C. R. Minteer, and K. A. Langeland. 2018. Brazilian Peppertree Control. Available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa219

 

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