Dispersal and establishment of new populations of the biological control agent Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) on Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae)

Authors: Lake, Ellen; Smith, Melissa; Pratt, Paul; BOUGHTON, ANTHONY - University Of Florida; PEMBERTON, ROBERT - Florida Museum Of Natural History

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2014
Publication Date: 6/1/2014
Citation: Lake, E.C., Smith, M., Pratt, P.D., Boughton, A.J., Pemberton, R.W. 2014. Dispersal and establishment of new populations of the biological control agent Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) on Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae). Florida Entomologist. 97(2):827-829.

Interpretive Summary: The mite Floracarus perrepae is a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum, Old World climbing fern. The mite was released in south Florida from 2008-2010 but did not readily establish in the field. In 2013, the original release sites were resurveyed. The mite has established within Jonathan Dickinson State Park and has dispersed to L. microphyllum patches outside the park at a rate of 3.5 ± 0.6 km/yr. The mite has also dispersed to the Cape Sable region of Everglades National Park.

Technical Abstract: The mite Floracarus perrepae, a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum, Old World climbing fern, was released in south Florida from 2008 to 2010 but did not readily establish in the field. The original release sites were resurveyed in 2013 and the mite has established within Jonathan Dickinson State Park and has dispersed to L. microphyllum patches outside the park at a rate of 3.5 ± 0.6 km/yr. The mite has also dispersed to the Cape Sable region of Everglades National Park.