Conservation of Florida’s Native Bromeliads

1. Conservation of Florida’s Native Bromeliads Florida’s Bromeliads Are Under Attack! Conservation Efforts Are Focusing on Biological Control and Seed Collection Florida has 16 species of native bromeliads, most of which have been threatened by habitat destruction in the face of increasing development, as well as illegal collection from natural areas. As a result, many of our state’s bromeliad species were already listed as threatened or endangered when an even more devastating event occurred more than a decade ago. A bromeliad-eating weevil from Mexico and Central America entered the state undetected and became established in south Florida. The Mexican bromeliad weevil, whose scientific name is Metamasius callizona, is destroying bromeliad populations in 16 south Florida counties. It threatens 11 bromeliad species, and the invertebrate animals that depend upon them, with extinction. The weevil is encroaching on populations of the state’s rarest bromeliad species in the Everglades area. It is destroying bromeliads in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Savannas Preserve State Park, Myakka River State Park, Highlands Hammock State Park, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (home to Florida’s richest diversity of epiphytes), and numerous county and local parks in south Florida, where bromeliads were once abundant. Bromeliads in the Sebastian, St. Lucie, Indian River, Loxahatchee, Caloosahatchee, Peace, Myakka, and Manatee river systems are all under attack. Mexican bromeliad weevil adult As a result of bromeliads’ epiphytic habit (at times growing high in the tree canopy) and the weevil’s presence in parks and other protected areas, chemical control is not an option. The most appropriate management tactic for the weevil is biological control, in this case the use of another insect to control the pest. The candidate biological control agent is a specialist weevil-killing fly from Central America. Lixophaga sp., potential biological control agent for Mexican bromeliad weevil. Mexican bromeliad weevil larva Before we may obtain a permit for the fly’s release, we must develop improved rearing methods and test the fly in quarantine to see if it will attack other species. While biological control is a regulated and safe option (host range testing ensures that the fly will only affect the target weevil or it will not be released from quarantine), there is no guarantee of timely success. To stop the weevil before it destroys Florida’s airplant treasures, greater support of the project is necessary. Volunteers are also needed during the spring months to collect seeds in potentially affected parks. The Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies (FCBS), with permits from DOACS/DPI, has begun the crucial task of collecting seeds from bromeliad species at risk or potentially at risk from weevil attack. After the weevil is no longer considered a threat, the plants grown from the collected seeds will be returned to their respective places of origin. Larva with damage to bromeliad stem Tillandsia utriculata seeds. Weevil sightings in Florida Tillandsia seedlings. We May Lose These Unique Plants Forever You Can Help Save Florida’s Bromeliads! Florida’s native bromeliads, most of which are found in no other U.S. state, are valued for many reasons. Ecologically, they provide homes to specialist invertebrate animals and contribute to genetic diversity. They are admired aesthetically for their unique way of life and for their beauty, and they provide an exceptional opportunity for teaching about the natural world. Their presence in the national, state and community parks of southern Florida contributes to the overall positive experience of park visitors. Florida’s State Parks are considered among the best in the country. If our state and local parks are to continue to attract millions of tourists each year, while also providing Florida’s residents with a quality recreational experience, we must protect the resources our parks contain. Please join in the fight to save Florida’s native bromeliads from being lost forever. Will we lose Florida’s native bromeliads? It doesn’t have to happen. You can help prevent this tragedy by getting involved in seed collection efforts or supporting the FCBS Weevil Fund. You can also let others know about the unique roles that bromeliads play in south Florida’s ecosystems and the importance of conserving these special plants, especially in our parks. Tillandsia fasciculata (cardinal airplant) To learn more about the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies’ efforts to save our bromeliads, and for contact information for bromeliad societies throughout the state, visit the FCBS Web site: http://fcbs.org To support the FCBS Weevil Fund, contact Ed Hall: Telephone: (407) 647-2039 email: palmetbrom@aol.com Guzmania monostachia (West Indian tufted airplant) Tillandsia utriculata (giant airplant) To learn more about the weevil problem, visit the “Save Florida’s Native Bromeliads” Web site: http://SaveBromeliads.ifas.ufl.edu Or the “Weevils That Eat Bromeliads” site: http://BromeliadBiota.ifas.ufl.edu/wvbrom.htm Or, contact Dr. Howard Frank’s lab at the University of Florida: Telephone: (352) 392-1901 ext. 122, 128 or 187 email: bclarson@mail.ifas.ufl.edu or jhf@mail.ifas.ufl.edu Although this poster was funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the National Environmental Education Act grants program, it may not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.