Newsletter -

Volume 3, Issue 1 March 2012

The Eco-Impact of Tegus Could Be Significant Highlights Inside -Tony Pernas, NPS and This Issue: may be as far north as are 3 to 4 years old. Dennis Giardina, FWC South Carolina. Its habitat Clutch size averages 30

preference is moist tropi- eggs with an approximate Step on the 2 The South American Tegu has become established in cal forests, semi arid scrub 3 month incubation period. GAS - African forests, prairies, beaches, They can live for up to 20 land snails Florida and is rapidly ex- panding its range and dunes and disturbed habi- years. population density Tegu nest in 4 throughout the central Tegus are omnivorous Miami-Dade and southern portions while juveniles are of the state. They insectivorus. They were first identified can dig their own bur- living in the Miami- rows or use the bur- Mikania Wrap 4 Dade area in Septem- rows of other . Up ber 2008. Two spe- Because of their sub- cies have become es- tropical to temperate tablished – the Argen- origins, tegus can 2012 ECISMA 5 tine Black and White tolerate the damaging Summit Tegu ( meria- effects of freezing nae) and the Columbian or tats. In Brazil, tegus are temperatures better than Gold Tegu (T. teguixin). commonly observed forag- pythons. ing along beaches. De- Will natives 7 These have been imported into the United spite intensive harvesting In Brazil, four tegus were suppress for their hides and meat, introduced on to the island Mikania? States as part of the pet trade (between 2000- tegus they remain one of that contains the Fernando 2006, 13,400 live tegus the most abundant reptiles de Noronha National Park Biological Con- 8 were imported). in South America. to control rats. They rap- trol for BP idly expanded their popu- Scientists predict the po- Tegus breed in March/ lation size to an estimated April beginning when they tential range of the Tegu Continued on page 3

First Annual Pet Amnesty Day in Palm Beach County - Rebecca Harvey, UF

Prevention and Early Detection & Rapid Response (EDRR) are the most effective and least costly approaches to addressing impacts of invasive species before they become intractable problems. ECISMA’s outreach efforts focus on both EDRR and prevention by: 1) teaching field staff and people who work in natural areas how to identify and report nonnative species, and 2) reaching out to the public to foster responsible pet ownership. To meet the latter goal, the Florida & Wildlife Con- Have you servation Commission’s (FWC’s) Nonnative Pet Amnesty Program is a tried and seen these true method that gives people a viable alternative to releasing their pets. This snails? Continued on page 6 See Page 2 1 Page 2 Step on the GAS—Management Update for the Giant African Snail in Southern Florida - Andrew Derksen, FDACS/DPI

The giant East African 2011, fourteen separate moved from infested land snail, Achatina fulica populations have been properties. All properties has long been considered identified in urban and within two hundred me- by the United States De- suburban Miami. All infes- ters of the infested sites partment of Agriculture tations were brought to have been treated with (USDA) to be a significant the attention of Depart- the organic molluscicide, threat to North American ment of Agriculture scien- iron phosphate. USDA, plant communities. The tists by concerned home- FDACS, and University of East African land World Health Organiza- owners. More than 900 Florida scientists have snail, note the han- tion has shown a direct calls to the helpline num- initiated research projects dler’s protective relationship between the ber (1-888-397-1517) further exploring the mol- gloves against its global expansion of the have been investigated, lusk’s biology, respon- parasitic nematode. snail and its parasitic with a total of 210 positive siveness to pesticides, nematode, Angiostrongy- and are developing im- lus catonensis, a cause of proved trapping and de- eosinophilic meningitis tection mechanisms. which affects humans. In spite of this progress, Giant African snails also USDA and FDACS scien- pose a threat to Florida’s tists remain concerned natural resources. The that low-density infesta- snail feeds readily on over tions persist undetected, five hundred documented and that there are not Another view of the species of plants, includ- enough eyes patrolling East African land ing several rare and en- the natural areas of Miami snail. dangered native plants. -Dade County. Remaining Individual snails are capa- properties being uncov- vigilant and watching for ble of exfoliating whole ered. Five of the infesta- signs of feeding damage “Giant African plants overnight to fuel tions constitute almost near illegal dump-sites their rapid growth, and nine-tenths of the snail’s will be important to the snails also pose a under optimal conditions, current range in Miami. long-term containment of threat to Florida’s snails can achieve sexual Only one new infestation this pest. maturity in approximately has been detected in the natural six months. That prodi- last two months of 2011, resources. The gious growth rate and but spring weather will voracious appetite also likely increase the snail’s snail feeds feeds a high rate of repro- activity and more popula- readily on over duction, with the her- tions may be identified maphroditic snails laying early next year. five hundred as many as six clutches documented of a hundred or more All properties within a half eggs a year. With repro- -mile of known infesta- species of plants, ductive rates this high, tions have been surveyed including several there is some concern for the snail and the Flor- that giant African snails in ida Department of Agricul- rare and the Florida ecosystem ture and Consumer Ser- endangered could potentially crowd vices (FDACS) has begun out or outcompete indige- a control program de- native plants.“ nous tree snails such as signed to eradicate it. Orthalicus or Liguus. Thus far, over thirty-three thousand snails have Since September 7th, been collected and re-

2 Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 3

Year Trapping DOR Other Total Tegus

2009 12 1 0 13

2010 15 4 2 21

2011 114 3 7 124

Table 1 shows the results of tegu population assess- ments beginning in 2009. Figure 1 shows size of tegus collected - Tegus continued from and Homestead. 1 for the size of tegus body weight and page 1 collected). Their diets are snout - vent length (SVL) two to eight thousand in- In 2011, the number of diverse. They feed on dividuals posing a signifi- tegus trapped increased , reptiles, cant threat to shorebirds substantially from 2009 , amphibians, and 2010 (see Table 1) , snails, fruits, while the number of tegus and plant matter. found dead on the road Tegus can store fat (DOR) remained relatively in the fall (as much low. When combined, the as 182 g per individ- total number of tegus ual) and are well trapped or observed in- adapted to our creased dramatically from state’s temperature 2009 in the area just east regimes and sea- of Everglades National sons. Trapping of tegus and sea turtles. In Flor- Park. in 2011 has yielded ida, adult tegus have few Tegus will likely expand the highest num- predators and could im- Radio telemetry and cam- their range in Florida. ber of animals era traps are helping to Without management caught since 2009. pact the American croco- dile, alligator, Eastern determine the home funding, containment or Indigo snake, turtles range size, migration, eradication efforts will be (especially sea turtles), routes, and population impossible. the Key Largo rat, and densities of tegus. Pre- native populations. liminary data indicates In 2012, ECISMA will con- The severity of their im- that tegus can be indi- tinue the assessment of pacts will likely depend on vidually identified by their the Argentine Black and population densities. distinct markings. White Tegu. The Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conser- Population density as- Necropsies have been vation Commission, Na- sessments began in 2009 performed on 30 individu- tional Park Service, Uni- with surveys, trapping, als at Florida Atlantic Uni- versity of Florida, Zoo and necropsy. In 2011, versity by Dr. Colin Miami, U.S. Department radio telemetry, camera Hughes. Conclusions to of Agriculture, and others traps, burrow cameras date indicate that many will collaborate on the were deployed. For trap- tegus become sexually assessment that will con- ping, a number of baits mature when males are tinue live trapping, cam- were tested until chicken greater than 288 mm SVL era trapping, and radio Tegu teeth. eggs proved to be most (snout vent length) and telemetry. effective. The target area females are greater than was around Florida City 248 mm SVL (see Figure

3 Page 4 ECISMA Uncovers First Wild Tegu Nest in Miami-Dade County- Dennis J. Giardina, FWC and Tony Pernas, NPS

The establishment of a for this female including breeding population of 16 within a ruderal thicket Argentine black and white dominated by invasive tegus (Tupinambis meria- exotic plants where a nest nae) has been docu- was eventually located mented by partners of the and excavated. Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Man- The nest was located be- Tegu nest hidden in a agement Area (ECISMA) neath a mound composed mound of discarded in Southern Miami-Dade of discarded potting soil, potting soil at the County. In the radio te- decomposing organic ma- base of a tree stump. lemetry study, five live- terial and detritus at the Aaron Parns (NPS) sur- trapped adult tegus (sex base of a tree stump cov- rounded by Mikania. ratio 3:2) were implanted ered by arrowhead vine with radio transmitters (Syngonium podophyl- The Mikania lum), an invasive plant and their movements micrantha Wrap Up- monitored between Au- species. The female tegu -Jane Griffin Dozier, Mi- gust 2010 and June 2011. was captured in a live trap ami-Dade Parks and on June 7, 2011. Recreation Radio telemetry locations

On June 9, 2011, the sus- for all five transmittered After two years of tegus showed a marked pected nest mound was ECISMA-led rapid re- Excavated nest decrease in movements excavated by removing mound that revealed sponses to Mikania mi- between November 2010 the vines and systemati- a clutch of 21 eggs. crantha in Miami-Dade and February 2011, re- cally dismantling it, using County, we can state on hand tools. In the ap- flecting the dormancy pe- the positive side that we riod typical of the species proximate center of the now have a better idea of in its native range in sub- mound, a swipe of a the scope of the infesta- council rake uncovered a tropical and temperate tion. Mikania appears to nest chamber, containing South America. be confined to the Red- a clutch of 21 eggs. Dur- land Agricultural Area of ing the excavation, sev- In late February 2011, all Homestead. Operating eral eggs were damaged five tegus began making ornamental plant nurser- and one was opened to wider movements. The ies are regularly in- verify the target species Tegu egg recovered three males made more spected, and for the most and estimate the age of from the nest. frequent and longer range part, are cooperating with development. The re- movements than did the FDACS DPI by treating maining eighteen eggs two females, which re- Mikania with herbicide in were collected. mained fairly close to their their nursery stock and on dormant season refugia. their properties to avoid A second, older nest quarantine. chamber was unearthed One of the females was just behind and below the originally captured in a Every private property first one that was com- live trap baited with owner contacted prised of 22 hatched egg chicken eggs on Sept 9, by ECISMA was willing to shells and 13 unhatched 2010. A radio transmitter sign a liability waiver and eggs. ECISMA partners was surgically implanted allow volunteer crews to will continue the radio- on Sept 30, 2010 and was remove Mikania. Even telemetry monitoring and released at the capture though we continue to resume camera and live site on Oct 4, 2010. A document more Mikania Dallas Hazelton pre- trapping in 2012. total of 36 radio-telemetry sites in the Redlands, pares the burrow cam. locations were recorded Continued on Page 5

4 Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 5

Mikania continued from ies are vulnerable to theft Page 4 and if Mikania is present, it goes wherever the sto- a number of previous len potted plants travel. positive finds were found There is also a lot of it to be no longer present. growing in people’s yards. Through CAPS and We are limited because ECISMA, multiple agen- we can only encourage cies are working together homeowners to control it. proactively to find, map and treat Mikania in an Mikania, a vine, often effort to keep it out of grows entwined with de- large natural areas like sirable vegetation like Everglades NP and the hedgerows and is difficult South Dade Wetlands. to treat effectively with We believe that if we had herbicide without non- unlimited access to all the target damage. Although at the moment Mikania is known Mikania infesta- Approximate distribution known to only occur in the proved exotic plant con- tions, we could – if not of Mikania in Florida in eradicate it - relegate it to Redland, there are many tractors to treat all the 2011. being an occasional weed similar agricultural areas known, accessible infes- of plant nurseries. in Southeast Florida tations once a year for where it could also be several years. If future On the other side, there present, a disconcerting ECISMA volunteer work- are big challenges. In the prospect. days could be devoted to Redland, there are many surveying, mapping and abandoned plant and tree ECISMA partners have seeking the permission of nurseries. We have determined that a contin- homeowners to allow the documented several that ued effort is needed to contractor’s crew to treat are literally covered with stop the spread Mikania and remove Mikania from tens of acres of Mikania micrantha. And it is a their properties (as and attempts to reach high priority to keep it FDACS DPI continues to some infested property from becoming another seek compliance from About ECISMA owners were unsuccess- costly weed of public wild infested plant nurseries), ful. Even though they lands. One option being then there would be a considered (if funding can much better chance of ECISMA was created cannot legally sell their to formalize coopera- stock, abandoned nurser- be acquired) is to employ containing this aggres- one of the Florida’s ap- sive, noxious weed. tion among land man- agement agencies to improve the effective- ness of exotic spe- 2012 ECISMA Summit cies control by shar- ing information, inno- In 2012, the ECISMA Tentatively, day 1 will fea- vation and technol- Summit will be a 2-day ture operations reports ogy across borders meeting composed of and EDRR updates. Day through a memoran- representatives from 2 will include break out dum of understand- ECISMA’s partner agen- sessions to express is- ing with the ultimate cies. sues or concerns identi- goal of helping to fied ahead of time by the ensure the success of the Comprehen- The dates are June 5-6, Steering Committee. sive Everglades Res- 2012, please mark your toration Plan. calendars. The Summit For more information will be held at the Long about the Summit, please Key Nature Center, contact Mr. Dennis Davie, Florida. Giardina at 239-229-5403 2012 SUMMIT

5 Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 6

Pet Amnesty continued prairie dogs, sugar glider, from Page 1 impending household and more). The most change (e.g., child going common species were program spreads the to college, new baby). red-eared slider turtles Three people (8%) attrib- message that releasing (19) and ball pythons exotic animals into the uted the surrender to a (13). family member’s health wild is illegal, harmful to the , and a threat to issues such as allergies In the afternoon, the or asthma, and one boa native wildlife. Pet Am- event shifted gears from nesty Days allow people owner (3%) acknowl- accepting surrendered edged that the animal the opportunity to surren- pets to placing them with der any exotic pets they was unsafe for their Albino python. Photo adopters. Thirty-five credit: Paula Hjertaas can no longer care for— household. adopters showed up, dis- no penalties and no ques- played their FWC-issued To those of us observing tions asked. After exami- approval letters, and the surrender process, it nation by a vet, healthy waited patiently until it was clear that many of animals are placed in new was their turn to walk the owners took the deci- homes with experienced, through and take a look at sion to give up their pets pre-approved adopters. It the available animals. very seriously and emo- is a win-win-win outcome Their names were then tionally. Tears and shaky for pet owners, adopters, called in random order. voices were not uncom- and the environment. One by one they selected mon. Their appreciation which animal they would for the event came The Palm Beach Zoo, take home. Several Exotic birds also through in numerous U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser- stayed for a second and made their way to comments about the Amnesty Day. Photo vice, and ECISMA hosted third round of selections, friendly, caring and pro- credit: Bob Phillips (with guidance from FWC) and by the end of the day fessional staff, as well as a Nonnative Pet Amnesty all of the animals had the ease and conven- Day on January 14, 2012 been adopted except for ience of the amnesty at the West Palm Beach some of the red-eared process. We certainly Garden Club. This was sliders, which were taken learned that there is a the first annual Pet Am- by FWC for their dog de- need for this service in nesty Day in Palm Beach tector program. the Palm Beach County County. From 10 am to 2 community and plan to pm, a steady stream of Thirty-six surrenderers continue to offer it on an families and individuals completed a brief, anony- annual basis. For more arrived at the garden club mous questionnaire to information about the and surrendered a total of help organizers learn Nonnative Pet Amnesty 94 animals of 29 different about the target audience program and how to reg- species. Of the 94 pets and improve future ister as an adopter for After an exam by a surrendered, there were events. Of these, 17 25 snakes (including 4 future events, visit http:// Vet, healthy animals (47%) stated their rea- are placed in new myfwc.com/nonnatives. very large Burmese py- sons for surrendering homes. Photo credit: Paula Hjertaas thons and 3 species of their pets as some combi- boa among others), 24 nation of the difficulty, turtles and tortoises, 5 cost, and time involved in green iguanas, 1 skink, 8 caring for the animals. wild-caught Oustalet’s Four more (11%) specifi- Volunteers from chameleons (caught dur- cally cited the animal’s the USFWS helping the ing a survey by FWC and size and space require- UF researchers), 16 birds public. Photo ments. Twelve people credit: Paula (including sought-after (33%) reported they were Hjertaas. species such as African giving up their animals grey parrot and sulphur- because of a household crested cockatoo), and 15 move or other recent or mammals (chinchillas,

6 Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 7 Will Local Herbivores and Diseases Colonize and Eventually Suppress Mikania micrantha in Florida? Rodrigo Diaz, UF, Amy Roda, USDA/APHIS, Susan Romero, UF, Catherine Mannion, UF, and Bill Overholt, UF Mikania micrantha Kunth attacked by a complex of bivores were found to is native to Central and and plant attack both plants, indicat- South America, and con- pathogens, although no ing that local herbivores sidered to be one of the studies have been con- have expanded their host worst invasive plants in ducted. As closely re- ranges to utilize the exotic Asia. It was discovered lated plants tend to share species. The incidence of for the first time in North natural enemies, we pre- the disease was meas- America in October 2009 dict that natural enemies ured from 1 m2 of foliage near Homestead, and has of the native Mikania spp. and in some sites, up to since been found at > 30 will expand their host 80% of the area was af- sites in the same area. ranges to include M. mi- fected. The host specific- Concerns have been crantha, and provide ity of a leaf mining fly raised about the potential some level of suppression (Calycomyza sp., Diptera: of M. micrantha to spread of the alien species. Agromyzidae) and a stem Mikania covering rapidly and invade Flor- galling fly (Neolasioptera abandoned nursery ida’s natural and man- To understand the impact eupatori, Diptera: Cecido- stock. aged ecosystems, par- of native natural enemies myiidae) are currently ticularly through seed dis- on M. micrantha, we are being investigated at the persal. conducting field surveys University of Florida quar- in the Homestead area antine facility in Fort Upon arrival to a new en- and laboratory experi- Pierce. Our preliminary vironment, the establish- ments in our quarantine results clearly indicate ment and spread of exotic facility in Fort Pierce. The that several natural ene- plants are limited in part objectives of field surveys mies of the native M. by biotic resistance from are to identify her- scandens have expanded local herbivores and dis- bivores and diseases of their host ranges to in- eases. There are two na- M. micrantha and M. clude the exotic M. mi- tive species of Mikania in scandens, and measure crantha. Whether the Florida; Mikania scandens the level of damage they degree of damage in- Mikania in full bloom. (L.) Willd. and M. cordifo- cause. To date, we have flicted by these natural lia (L.f.) Willd. Both are found several natural ene- enemies is sufficient to widely distributed in the mies, including leaf roll- prevent M. micrantha state, with M. scandens ers, leaf miners, mites, from becoming a serious found in hydric habitats aphids and a foliar dis- invasive plant in Florida, and M. cordifolia in ham- ease damaging the two is not yet known. mocks. Presumably, the Mikania species (Fig. 1). Figure 1. Insect and native Mikania spp. are Several of the insect her- diseases of Mikania micrantha and Mikania scandens found in a b c Homestead, Florida. a) Leaf miner adult (Calycomyza sp.), b) M. scandens with stem gall, c) M. mi- crantha with leaf spot, d) M. micrantha with leafminer damage d (Calycomyza sp.), e) f g M. scandens with leaf- e miner damage (unknown lepidop- tera), f) M. micrantha with chewing damage, and g) a scale insect on M. scandens.

7 ECISMA—Partnership and Cooperation means good invasive species management

New Biological Control Candidates for Brazilian peppertree -Jim Cuda, UF

During a recent survey trip to South America in March 2010, a new undescribed leaflet galling psyllid in the Calophya was collected on Brazilian peppertree in north- eastern Brazil (Salvador, Bahia). A formal description of the new psyllid Calophya lati- forceps sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Calophyidae), along with molecular evidence confirming new species designation, was published in the September 2011 issue of the Florida Entomologist. A complex of leaflet galling psyllids (Calophya terebinthifolii Burckhardt & Bassett and the newly discovered C. latiforceps) may be good candidates for biologi- cal control of Brazilian peppertree. Calophya terebinthifolii collected from the Atlantic ECISMA Contact coastal region of Santa Catarina appears to be locally adapted to Brazilian peppertree Information: haplotype A plants, whereas C. latiforceps is associated with haplotype B plants that occur in northeastern Brazil. Both of these Brazilian peppertree haplotypes and their Tony Pernas hybrids occur in Florida. U.S. National Park Service 18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 419 Host Range Testing of Biological Control Agents of Brazilian Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 786-249-0073 Peppertree -Veronica Manrique, Rodrigo Diaz, William A. Overholt, UF, and [email protected] Gregory S. Wheeler, USDA-ARS IPRL

Dennis J. Giardina Florida Fish & Wildlife Con- Recent surveys of natural enemies of Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius servation Commission Raddi) in the area around Salvador City, Brazil resulted in the discovery of three new Rookery Bay NERR potential biological control agents: 1) a 300 Tower Road Naples, FL 34113 thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini 239-229-5403 (Phlaeothripidae), 2) a defoliating caterpil- [email protected] lar, Paectes sp. (Euteliidae), and 3) a pit- gall former, Calophya sp. (Calophyidae). Investigations at the UF/IFAS Biological Please submit articles and ECISMA news for newsletter Control Research and Containment Labo- consideration to: ratory in Fort Pierce, FL suggest that P. ichini from Salvador has a narrower host Don C. Schmitz, Editor ECISMA Newsletter range than a previously tested population Florida Fish & Wildlife Conserva- of the same species collected from further tion Commission Invasive Plant Management south in Brazil. Section 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., The Salvador thrips completes develop- MS 705 ment only on the target weed Brazilian peppertree and its close Photo of adult Salvador Tallahassee, FL 32399 thrips and larvae [email protected] relative Schinus molle, which is not present in Florida. Additional host-range testing will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Greg Wheeler at the Common Acronyms: USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, FL in order to de- termine whether this thrips population is safe to release in Florida. The second candi- CAPS—Cooperative Agricultural date agent under investigation is an undescribed in the genus Paectes. Pest Survey

FDACS—FL Dept. of Agricul- Host range testing of Paectes sp. has been completed on 14 plants in the family Ana- ture and Consumer Services cardiaceae. Under no-choice conditions, high survival to adulthood was obtained on the

FWC—FL Fish & Wildlife Con- target weed (50%) followed by S. molle (45 %), while low survival (<25%) was found on servation Commission a few non-target species. However, multiple choice oviposition tests revealed that fe-

NPS—U.S. National Park Service males preferred to lay eggs on Brazilian peppertree. The third promising agent, a new calophyid species recently described as Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt, was initially UF—University of Florida established in quarantine but the colony collapsed after one generation.

An additional species was recently discovered in Brazil from this same genus feeding ECISMA Website: on the weed. Because Calophya spp. are known to be highly specific, efforts will be made to recollect these agents in 2012 so that host range testing can be initiated. http:// www.evergladescisma.org

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