Save Florida's native Bromeliads

[Jackson74]

Florida has 16 species of native bromeliads, many of which are erstricted to the southern porton of the state. Florida is at risk of loosing some of its most unique plants forever, as an invasive, exotic pest weevil (Metamasuis callizona) is destroying populations of 5 of these native bromeliad species at an alarming rate. Six additional species of rarer bromeliads are also vulnerable.

The weevil entered Florida in a shipment of bromeliads from Mexico, and by the time it was discovered in a nursery in 1989, it had become established in Broward County. It is now found in 16 counties in south Florida and is fast approaching the state's most rare, and endangered bromeliad populations in the Everglades area.

The Mexican bromeliad weevil kills the plant through the tunneling action of its immature stage (larve), which eats out the entire base, causing the plant to fall from the tree thats supports it. The weevil prefers large, mature plants, and the death of many of the breeding indivduals quickly wipes out entire populations. Two species of once-abundant bromeliads (Tillandsia utriculata and Tillandsia fasciculata) have been placed on the state's list of endangered plant species as a direct result of destruction from the weevil.

The Save Florida's Native Bromeliads project is an attempt by the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, the University of Florida, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to manage the weevil and conserve the bromeliad species at risk before the weevil is able to completely destroy them. The project's goals include both the immediate reduction in the damage being done by the weevil and the long-term protection of Florida's native bromeliad populations.

If you would like to know more on this threat, please visit the University of Florida's website, if nothing else but a great read, its worth a click. Thanks, Jack.....



http://savebromeliads.ifas.ufl.edu/