Ongoing Project: Tracking the Invasive Mexican Bromeliad Weevil

Part of the Sarasota-Manatee EcoFlora Project is to help conserve and monitor local plant species and help protect native and threatened species. Unfortunately an invasive weevil the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil (Metamasius callizona) has made protecting our native bromeliads much more difficult. The Mexican bromeliad weevil plays a role in the ecology of its natural habitat in Mexico and Central America. However, an accidental introduction through the bromeliad trade into Florida has resulted in the decimation of certain native Florida bromeliads, particularly Tillandsia utriculata and Guzmania monostachia. The weevil has also attacked many cultivated species in Florida.

Please help to map its distribution either through direct sightings of the insect, or by mapping affected plants (usually seen on the ground broken into many pieces). Photographing the various stages of insect development is critical for observations being elevated to Research Grade. In the absence of evidence, downed bromeliad observations are welcome, though should not be elevated to Research Grade as downed specimens can be caused by several factors. This project will be ongoing in perpetuity as we track where the weevil is, where damage is most severe, and where the weevil is absent. All data will help us preserve and restore or epiphyte community.

We welcome older legacy photos if they can be geolocated with a high degree of accuracy, and Mexico/Central America sightings are also much appreciated.

If you are interested in further work with conserving epiphytes, looking at examples of the weevil and tracking the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil please follow the project here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/mexican-bromeliad-weevil-metamasius-callizona

Publicado el octubre 9, 2020 02:00 MAÑANA por sean_patton sean_patton

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An important project - joined!

Publicado por vita-sativum hace más de 3 años

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