Another Invasive Mosquito Species Arrives in Florida
The mosquito species Aedes scapularis had been previously detected in Florida just once, in 1945, but a new study of mosquitoes collected in 2020 has discovered that Aedes scapularis is now established on mainland Florida in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Did Two Florida Populations of Conehead Termites Arise From a Single Colonization Event?
Native to Central and South America, the conehead termite has been found in just two places in the United States: Dania Beach and Pompano Beach, Florida. A new genetic analysis of these two populations suggests they arose from a single invasion.
Early Detection, Collaboration Key to Invasive Fruit Fly Eradication in Florida
The largest-ever outbreak of the invasive oriental fruit fly in Florida in 2015 was successfully quelled through a six-month eradication program that combined outreach, control, science, technology, and regulation.
Fighting Flies With Flies: An In-Depth Look at the 2016 Screwworm Outbreak Response in Florida
The return of the screwworm to Florida in 2016 was a surprise, but entomologists with the USDA and local, state, and international partners were prepared to respond. A new, in-depth report in the Journal of Medical Entomology shares a detailed account of their work re-eradicating the pest via the sterile insect technique—plus new lessons learned along the way.