Surveying establishment success: A capstone survey of Floracarus perrepae and Neomusotima conspurcatalis on Lygodium microphyllum

We started an establishment survey in July of 2023 to understand where the biological control agents have successfully established and/or dispersed. Study sites were chosen throughout Lygodium microphyllum’s invaded range based on iNaturalist and EDDMaps observations. Two surveys were conducted, one for each biological control agent.​ For Floracarus perrepae 5 points were selected at an interval of at least 10 meters. At each point, 3 samples of 2 fully expanded sub pinnae pairs were collected haphazardly. These samples were brought back to the lab, the number of galls were counted, and a subset of 25 galls were dissected to determine how many mites were in each gall. For Neomusotima conspurcatalis two surveyors non-systematically explored the L. microphyllum patch for 15 minutes (for a total of 30 minutes) looking for and inspecting for feeding damage, larvae, and adults.​

Partially funded by the USDA through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) (USDA agreement 58-6032-1-001) and through the Southwest Florida Water Management District (USDA agreement 58-6032-3-003)