Florida: Mosquito-borne diseases wane (Bronson: agriculture, work, commission)

[sunrico90]

The drought that has plagued the Treasure Coast this spring sets the stage for lots of biting mosquitoes this summer and fall, but it also virtually guarantees the pests will not carry disease to humans, experts say. That's because cardinals, blue jays and other wild birds finished this spring's nesting in the near-absence of mosquitoes.

One positive outcome from the drought....

Viruses that cause West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis need to be passed among fledgling birds by biting mosquitoes to become a problem to people.

[sunrico90]

This is not about the mosquitos but we need to be aware of this concern: ornamental palm industry can be in trouble....

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said his department is closely monitoring the migration of the mite, which carries the formal name Raoiella indica Hirst.

Though it has not arrived in Florida, agriculture officials fear it is only a matter of time before the mite appears.

"Arrival of the red palm mite in Florida could threaten Florida's vibrant ornamental palm industry," Bronson explained.

He said his and other organizations are working to delay the mite's entry into the state and to develop control measures in the likely event of its appearance.

The red palm mite was identified in the Western Hemisphere three years ago on the Caribbean island of Martinique.

The mite is now in St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.