DOCSLIB.ORG

Lygodium Management Plan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

OLD WORLD CLIMBING FERN (Lygodium microphyllum) MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR FLORIDA Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Lygodium Task Force 2006 Second Edition i OLD WORLD CLIMBING FERN (Lygodium microphyllum) MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR FLORIDA Editors: Jeffrey Hutchinson, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32611 Amy Ferriter, Boise State University, Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725 Kristina Serbesoff-King, The Nature Conservancy, Blowing Rocks Preserve, 574 South Beach Road, Hobe Sound, FL 33455-2804 Ken Langeland, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32611 LeRoy Rodgers, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 A Report from the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s Lygodium Task Force 2006 Second Edition The Second Edition of the Lygodium Management Plan for Florida has been revised to focus primarily on Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), recognizing the need for a separate management plan for Japanese climbing fern, which is currently more problematic in northern and central Florida. Thus, this revised plan is designed to provide the most up-to-date information for integrated management of the highly invasive Old World climbing fern infesting natural areas in southern and central Florida. Management of this fern in Florida is still in the early to mid-stages of development of a landscape approach to control the fern, both on public conservation and private lands. The plan will be updated every five years to reflect changes in management philosophies. Mention of trade or product names does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the Lygodium Task Force or the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. There is no expressed or implied warranty as to the fitness of any product discussed. Any product name discussed is listed solely for the benefit of the reader, and not all products may be listed. i Contributors Mike Bodle Lauren Linares South Florida Water Management District Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, Roadway Maintenance Environmental Kathy Craddock Burks Florida Natural Areas Inventory Chris Lockhart Florida Natural Areas Inventory Jim Burney Aquatic Vegetation Control, Inc. Philip Myers Florida Park Service Amy Ferriter Boise State University, Environmental Bob Pemberton Science and Public Policy Research United States Department of Agriculture Institute Agricultural Research Service Tom Fucigna R. Scott Penfield R.L. Weigt Environmental Consultants Department of Defense Avon Park Air Force Range George D. Gann The Institute for Regional Conservation Dick Roberts Florida Park Service Jim Goodwin South Florida Water Management District Kristina Serbesoff-King The Nature Conservancy John A. Goolsby United States Department of Agriculture Ken Snyder Agricultural Research Service St. Johns River Water Management District. Jeffrey Hutchinson University of Florida Jonathan Taylor Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants National Park Service Matt King Bill Thomas Palm Beach County United States Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Resources Management John Volin Ken Langeland Florida Atlantic University University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Tony Wright Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Drew Lesile Research Organization Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Upland Invasive Plants ii Table of Contents I.Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 II.Problem Statement ................................................................................................. 2 III.Goal ....................................................................................................................... 5 IV.Objectives.............................................................................................................. 5 V.Lygodium Task Force Recommendations .............................................................. 5 VI.Technical Background ........................................................................................... 7 Biology of Old World climbing fern ........................................................... 7 Robert Pemberton, John Volin, and Jeffrey Hutchinson Taxonomy..................................................................................... 7 Botanical Description.................................................................... 8 Related Species........................................................................... 8 Reproductive biology, phenology and growth............................... 9 Distribution, Ecology, and Economic Impacts .......................................... 11 Native Range................................................................................ 11 Native Distribution............................................................. 11 Robert Pemberton and Amy Ferriter Native Ecology.................................................................. 12 Robert Pemberton, John Volin and Kathy Burks Native Economic uses ...................................................... 12 Mike Bodle Florida........................................................................................... 13 Florida Distribution............................................................ 13 Amy Ferriter and Kathy Burks Florida Ecology ................................................................. 17 Robert Pemberton, John Volin, Kathy Burks and Jeffrey Hutchinson Economic Uses and Impacts ............................................ 20 George Gann and Amy Ferriter Management and Control Costs ....................................... 21 Jeffrey Hutchinson Proposed and Enacted Laws ................................................................... 23 Matt King and Tom Fucigna Federal ......................................................................................... 23 State ............................................................................................. 24 Local Governments...................................................................... 24 Other............................................................................................. 25 Management Techniques......................................................................... 25 iii Current Management.................................................................... 25 Jeffrey Hutchinson Biological Control.......................................................................... 26 Robert Pemberton, John Goolsby, and Tony Wright Herbicidal Control Technology Research ..................................... 33 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Recommended Herbicides........................................................... 40 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Monitoring..................................................................................... 41 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Physical and mechanical removal ................................................ 43 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Fire ............................................................................................... 44 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Flooding........................................................................................ 46 Ken Langeland and Jeffrey Hutchinson Private Contractor Perspective..................................................... 46 Jim Burney Funding .................................................................................................... 51 Jeffrey Hutchinson and Matt King VII.Resource Management Approach........................................................................ 55 Kristina Serbesoff-King VIII.Lygodium on Private Lands ................................................................................. 62 Jeffrey Hutchinson IX.Spread of Spores by Herbicide Applicators........................................................... 64 Jeffrey Hutchinson and Ken Langeland X.Lygodium Strike Team (FDEP, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management)................ 66 Drew Leslie XI.Case Studies ......................................................................................................... 67 Everglades National Park............................................................................... 67 Jonathan Taylor Avon Park Air Force Range .......................................................................... 70 R. Scott Penfield ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge .................................................. 73 iv Bill Thomas Bird Rookery CREW ...................................................................................... 79 Jim Goodwin Jonathan Dickinson State Park ...................................................................... 82 Phil Myers and Dick Roberts Blue Cypress Conservation Area ................................................................... 85 Ken Snyder and Jeffrey Hutchinson Florida Turnpike Enterprise............................................................................ 87 Lauren Linares XII.Summary .............................................................................................................. 89 XIII.Literature Cited .................................................................................................... 91 Appendices Appendix 1 ................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form

    U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SPECIES ASSESSMENT AND LISTING PRIORITY ASSIGNMENT FORM Scientific Name: Dalea carthagenensis floridana Common Name: Florida prairie-clover Lead region: Region 4 (Southeast Region) Information current as of: 03/26/2013 Status/Action ___ Funding provided for a proposed rule. Assessment not updated. ___ Species Assessment - determined species did not meet the definition of the endangered or threatened under the Act and, therefore, was not elevated to the Candidate status. ___ New Candidate _X_ Continuing Candidate ___ Candidate Removal ___ Taxon is more abundant or widespread than previously believed or not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate status ___ Taxon not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate status due, in part or totally, to conservation efforts that remove or reduce the threats to the species ___ Range is no longer a U.S. territory ___ Insufficient information exists on biological vulnerability and threats to support listing ___ Taxon mistakenly included in past notice of review ___ Taxon does not meet the definition of "species" ___ Taxon believed to be extinct ___ Conservation efforts have removed or reduced threats ___ More abundant than believed, diminished threats, or threats eliminated. Petition Information ___ Non-Petitioned _X_ Petitioned - Date petition received: 05/11/2004 90-Day Positive:05/11/2005 12 Month Positive:05/11/2005 Did the
  • Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants September 2008 Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L

    Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants September 2008 Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L

    United States Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire in Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Ecosystems General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-42- volume 6 Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants September 2008 Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L. 2008. Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 355 p. Abstract—This state-of-knowledge review of information on relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants can assist fire managers and other land managers concerned with prevention, detection, and eradi- cation or control of nonnative invasive plants. The 16 chapters in this volume synthesize ecological and botanical principles regarding relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants, identify the nonnative invasive species currently of greatest concern in major bioregions of the United States, and describe emerging fire-invasive issues in each bioregion and throughout the nation. This volume can help increase understanding of plant invasions and fire and can be used in fire management and ecosystem-based management planning. The volume’s first part summarizes fundamental concepts regarding fire effects on invasions by nonnative plants, effects of plant invasions on fuels and fire regimes, and use of fire to control plant invasions. The second part identifies the nonnative invasive species of greatest concern and synthesizes information on the three topics covered in part one for nonnative inva- sives in seven major bioregions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Central, Interior West, Southwest Coastal, Northwest Coastal (including Alaska), and Hawaiian Islands.
  • Directions to Hobe Sound Florida

    Directions to Hobe Sound Florida

    Directions To Hobe Sound Florida andMetallographic unweathered Ludvig Bela tangle volatilising handsomely so stagnantly or egresses that Iggy wantonly bemoan when his cane.Kaiser If is unpossessing tea-table. Shipwrecked or scrawny centralAlden usually is Al? legitimate his uncovering justled provisorily or enravish westwardly and madly, how It go based upon which relentlessly pursuing you can submit an exurban area between the therapist should be used to you can also be financially advantageous Your appointment request has served by creating a hobe sound florida history available for directions. Clinic a travel about this form cannot be delayed due to. Looks like walking the directions with a car from anyone and traffic conditions at the preserve runs for more about special. Where and florida state university press of hobe sound is required to have been approved, and places with. Thanks to do not count total amount of the page you can have a wildfire, for those of these procedures promote your money, and scrub habitat. We are available for directions to florida. No reviews for hobe sound florida springs, red tubular flowers, contact your browser and updated time you? Please relaunch your appointment online directions to hobe sound florida dune habitat is set the justice of grief every day, and residents in. Directions to Seacoast Bank 11711 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound FL 33455 Seacoast provides a full rise of banking and investment services to. Best sun damage will i rent month to florida post office for directions to hobe sound florida? When you are looking for sale in our residents in real estate process easy to contact us for specific information needed, united states to.
  • Lake Worth Lagoon

    Lake Worth Lagoon

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK ...................................... 1 Park Significance .............................................................................. 1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN ................................................... 2 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW ................................................. 7 Management Authority and Responsibility ............................................ 7 Park Management Goals .................................................................... 8 Management Coordination ................................................................. 8 Public Participation ........................................................................... 9 Other Designations ........................................................................... 9 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 15 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT ................................... 15 Natural Resources .......................................................................... 16 Topography ............................................................................... 20 Geology .................................................................................... 21 Soils ......................................................................................... 21 Minerals ...................................................................................
  • Restoring Southern Florida's Native Plant Heritage

    Restoring Southern Florida's Native Plant Heritage

    A publication of The Institute for Regional Conservation’s Restoring South Florida’s Native Plant Heritage program Copyright 2002 The Institute for Regional Conservation ISBN Number 0-9704997-0-5 Published by The Institute for Regional Conservation 22601 S.W. 152 Avenue Miami, Florida 33170 www.regionalconservation.org [email protected] Printed by River City Publishing a division of Titan Business Services 6277 Powers Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32217 Cover photos by George D. Gann: Top: mahogany mistletoe (Phoradendron rubrum), a tropical species that grows only on Key Largo, and one of South Florida’s rarest species. Mahogany poachers and habitat loss in the 1970s brought this species to near extinction in South Florida. Bottom: fuzzywuzzy airplant (Tillandsia pruinosa), a tropical epiphyte that grows in several conservation areas in and around the Big Cypress Swamp. This and other rare epiphytes are threatened by poaching, hydrological change, and exotic pest plant invasions. Funding for Rare Plants of South Florida was provided by The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Steve Arrowsmith Fund. Major funding for the Floristic Inventory of South Florida, the research program upon which this manual is based, was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Steve Arrowsmith Fund. Nemastylis floridana Small Celestial Lily South Florida Status: Critically imperiled. One occurrence in five conservation areas (Dupuis Reserve, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area, Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area, & Pal-Mar). Taxonomy: Monocotyledon; Iridaceae. Habit: Perennial terrestrial herb. Distribution: Endemic to Florida. Wunderlin (1998) reports it as occasional in Florida from Flagler County south to Broward County.
  • Current and Potential Use of Phytophagous Mites As Biological Control Agent of Weeds

    Current and Potential Use of Phytophagous Mites As Biological Control Agent of Weeds

    Chapter 5 Current and Potential Use of Phytophagous Mites as Biological Control Agent of Weeds Carlos Vásquez, Yelitza Colmenárez, José Morales-Sánchez, Neicy Valera, María F. Sandoval and Diego Balza Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/59953 1. Introduction Biological control of weeds by using phytophagous mites may help to contain infestations and reduce their spread in time. Although, eradication is not the goal due to the vastness of the areas, the most desirable scenario is achieved when weeds are no longer a concern and no other control is necessary. However, biological control should not be considered the unique strategy to face weed problems, thus commonly; other methods are still required to attain the desired level of control. There is an increasingly interest in using mites for biological control of weeds, primarily those belonging to Eriophyidae because of they are host-specific and often weaken the host plant affecting plant growth and reproduction. Although eriophyid mite species impact the fitness of their host plant, it is not clear how much they have contributed to reduction of the population of the target weed. In some cases, natural enemies, resistant plant genotypes, and adverse abiotic conditions have reduced the ability of eriophyid mites to control target weed popula‐ tions. Besides, susceptibility of eriophyids to predators and pathogens may also prevent them from achieving population densities necessary to reduce host plant populations. In addition to eriophyid mites, tetranychid mites are also being considered as an alternative for weed control. The gorse spider mite, Tetranychus lintearius Dufour, has shown to reduce shoot growth on gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) by around 36% in impact studies conducted over 2.5 years in Tasmania.
  • Potential Distribution of the Invasive Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium Microphyllum in North and South America

    Potential Distribution of the Invasive Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium Microphyllum in North and South America

    1 Running title: Potential distribution of invasive fern Potential distribution of the invasive Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum in North and South America John A. Goolsby, United States Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Australian Biological Control Laboratory, CSIRO Long Pocket Laboratories, 120 Meiers Rd. Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia 4068 email: [email protected] 2100 words 2 Abstract: The climate matching program CLIMEX is used to predict the potential distribution of the fern, Lygodium microphyllum in North and South America, with particular reference to Florida, USA where it is invasive. A predictive model was fitted to express the known distribution of the fern. Several new collection locations were incorporated into the model based on surveys for the plant near its ecoclimatic limits in China and Australia. The model predicts that the climate is suitable for further expansion of L. microphyllum north into central Florida. Large parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America are also at risk. Index terms: Invasive species, weeds, Florida Everglades, predictive modeling, CLIMEX. INTRODUCTION Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Lygodiaceae, Pteridophyta), the Old World climbing fern, is native to the Old World wet tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, Australia, and Oceania (Pemberton 1998). It is an aggressive invasive weed in southern Florida, USA (Pemberton and Ferriter 1998) and is classified as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (Langeland and Craddock Burks 1998). It was first found to be naturalized in Florida 1965; however, its rapid spread is now a serious concern because of its dominance over native vegetation.
  • A Management Plan for the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area

    A Management Plan for the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area

    A Management Plan for the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area 2015-2025 Palm Beach County, Florida Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK A Management Plan For The J.W Corbett Wildlife Management Area Palm Beach County, Florida Owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund Managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission May 2015 Approved Thomas Eason Director, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lead Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Common Name of Property: J.W.Corbett Wildlife Management Area Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Acreage Total: 60,478 Acres Acreage Breakdown: Land Cover Classification Acres Percent of Total Area Basin marsh 1,395 2.29% Depression marsh 13,752 22.56% Dome swamp 2,189 3.59% Hydric hammock 65 0.11% Mesic flatwoods 16,867 27.68% Mesic hammock 319 0.52% Ruderal, agriculture 1,361 2.23% Ruderal, canal/ditch 400 0.66% Ruderal, clearing/regeneration 694 1.14% Ruderal, developed 71 0.12% Ruderal, road 28 0.05% Ruderal, utility corridor 1,177 1.93% Strand swamp 11,772 19.32% Wet flatwoods 9,253 15.18% Wet prairie 1,603 2.63% *GIS-calculated acreage for land cover classification varies slightly from actual total acreage. Lease/Management Agreement No.: 2606 (Appendix 13.1) Use: Single Management Responsibilities: Multiple X Agency FWC Responsibilities
  • Groundwater Contamination and Impacts to Water Supply

    Groundwater Contamination and Impacts to Water Supply

    SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT March 2007 Final Draft CCoonnssoolliiddaatteedd WWaatteerr SSuuppppllyy PPllaann SSUUPPPPOORRTT DDOOCCUUMMEENNTT Water Supply Department South Florida Water Managemment District TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss List of Tables and Figures................................................................................v Acronyms and Abbreviations........................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction..................................................................................1 Basis of Water Supply Planning.....................................................................1 Legal Authority and Requirements ................................................................1 Water Supply Planning Initiative...................................................................4 Water Supply Planning History .....................................................................4 Districtwide Water Supply Assessment............................................................5 Regional Water Supply Plans .......................................................................6 Chapter 2: Natural Systems .............................................................................7 Overview...............................................................................................7 Major Surface Water Features.................................................................... 13 Kissimmee Basin and Chain of Lakes ...........................................................
  • Environmental Assessment in Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Other Relevant Federal and State Laws and Regulations

    Environmental Assessment in Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Other Relevant Federal and State Laws and Regulations

    United States Department of Environmental Agriculture Forest Assessment Service June 2007 Buck Bald Ocoee/Hiwassee and Tellico Ranger Districts, Cherokee National Forest Polk and Monroe Counties, Tennessee For Information Contact: Janan Hay 250 Ranger Station Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-253-8405 southernregion.fs.fed.us/cherokee The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Document Structure .................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 1 Purpose and Need
  • Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils 2017 List Of

    Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils 2017 List Of

    CATEGORY II (continued) Gov. The 2017 list was prepared by the Scientific Name** Common Name List Zone FLEPPC List Definitions: Exotic – a species FLEPPC Plant List Committee Florida Exotic Pest Plant Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant C, S introduced to Florida, purposefully or accidentally, from a (Rhoeo spathacea, Rhoeo discolor) natural range outside of Florida. Native – a species Patricia L. Howell, Chair 2012-2017, Broward Tribulus cistoides puncture vine, burr-nut N, C, S Council’s 2017 List of whose natural range includes Florida. Naturalized County Parks, Natural Resources and Land Vitex trifolia simple-leaf chaste tree C, S Management Section, [email protected] Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm C, S exotic – an exotic that sustains itself outside cultivation Invasive Plant Species Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria N, C (it is still exotic; it has not “become” native). Invasive Stephen H. Brown, UF / IFAS Lee County Xanthosoma sagittifolium malanga, elephant ear N, C, S exotic – an exotic that not only has naturalized, Extension, Parks and Recreation Division, The mission of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant but is expanding on its own in Florida native plant [email protected] Council is to support the management of invasive Recent changes to plant names exotic plants in Florida’s natural areas by communities. Janice Duquesnel, Florida Park Service, Florida providing a forum for the exchange of scientific, Department of Environmental Protection, educational and technical information. Old Name New Name Abbreviations: Government List (Gov. List): [email protected] www.fleppc.org Possession, propagation, sale, and/or transport of Aleurites fordii Vernicia fordii David W.
  • An Ultrastructural Study of the Relationship Between the Mite Floracarus Perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek (Acariformes:Eriophyidae) and the Fern

    An Ultrastructural Study of the Relationship Between the Mite Floracarus Perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek (Acariformes:Eriophyidae) and the Fern

    1 Running title: Floracarus ultrastructure For submission to Australian Journal of Entomology An ultrastructural study of the relationship between the mite Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek (Acariformes:Eriophyidae) and the fern Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Lygodiaceae) Thomas P. Freeman,1* John A. Goolsby,2 Sebahat K. Ozman,3 Dennis R. Nelson4 1North Dakota State University, Department of Plant Pathology, Northern Crop Science Laboratory, Fargo, North Dakota, USA 2USDA-ARS, Australian Biological Control Laboratory, 120 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, 4068, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 3CRC for Tropical Plant Protection and Dept. of Zoology and Entomology, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; current address, Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, 55139, Samsun, Turkey 4USDA-ARS, Biosciences Research Laboratory, 1605 Albrecht Blvd, Fargo, North Dakota, USA *Corresponding author (email: [email protected], telephone: 701-231-8234, facsimile: 701-239-1395) 2 ABSTRACT The ultrastructure of Floracarus perrepae was investigated in relation to its host, Lygodium microphyllum. Feeding by the mite induces a change in epidermal cell size, and cell division is stimulated by mite feeding, causing the leaf margin to curl over into a roll with two to three windings. The enlarged epidermal layer greatly increases its cytoplasmic contents, which become a nutritive tissue for the mite and its progeny. The structure and depth of stylet penetration by the mite, and the thickness of the epidermal cell wall of L. microphyllum, does not appear to account for the mite’s differential ability to induce leaf rolling in its co- adapted host from southeast Queensland but not in the invasive genotype of the fern in Florida.