Saturday, July 10, 2004

Mitey Fine

Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service have honed in on a species of mite that they hope has eyes only for the invasive Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum). According to this report in Agricultural Research Magazine, populations of the tiny mite (Floracarus perrepae) that prefer the fern have been found in Australia and Thailand. To test the potential biocontrol's appetite, researchers took along tiny sporelings of Old World climbing ferns currently growing in Florida. You can read about previous efforts at controlling this species from older ISW posts. Bonus points to ARS Magazine (as usual) for using scientific names.

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