Brazilian Peppertree

• Brazilian peppertree is native to South America
• In Florida, the tree is much larger than its South American counterparts

Dr. Carey Minteer examines a Brazilian peppertree in the laboratory

• Brazilian peppertrees inside the quarantine area of the Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory  

Adult flowers on a Brazilian peppertree

• Flowers transform into the red peppers on the Brazilian peppertree. 

Brazilian Pepper Thrips

Adult and Immature Brazilian Pepper Thrips

• Adult and immature Brazilian pepper thrips released throughout Florida are able to reproduce.

Close-up of Brazilian Pepper Thrips

• Brazilian pepper thrips are small, but easily visible by human eye.  

Actual Size of Brazilian Pepper Thrips

• Brazilian pepper thrips are often seen together.  

Calophya Latiforceps

Adult Calophya Latiforceps

• Calophya latiforceps lay eggs on young stems of the Brazilian peppertree.
• Adult Calophya latiforceps feed on young stems and can also feed on the flowers, causing them to abort.

Calophya Latiforceps Immatures

• Calophya latiforceps immatures form open pit galls on the surface of young leaves. 

Calophya Latiforceps Adults

• Adult Calophya latiforceps wings are transparent. 

Calophya Latiforceps Male

• The species will only feed and develop on Brazilian peppertree.

Calophya Latiforceps Female

• The leaf galler is native to Brazil.
• Leaf gallers act as a nutrient sink, reducing the growth of Brazilian peppertree, and also causing premature leaf drop.

Damage to Brazilian Peppertree by Calophya Latiforceps

• Because Calophya latiforceps is a natural enemy to Brazilian peppertree, it damages the tree to control its growth.
• Calophya latiforceps is a common insect in South America, where it feeds on Brazilian peppertree.

Calophya Lutea

Calophya lutea is a second insect for biological control of Brazilian peppertree.

Calophya Lutea

Calophya Lutea - Male

Calophya Lutea - Female

Calophya Terebinthifolii

Calophya terebinthifolii is a third insect for control of Brazilan peppertree.

Mature Calophya Terebinthifolii

Immature Calophya Terebinthifolii

• Young, or immature Colphya terebinthifolii form pits into young leaves.

Calophya Terebinthifolii

Outreach and Extension

Local officials participated in a Brazilian pepper thrips release

• Then-Indian River County Commissioner Laura Moss (left) distributed Brazilian pepper thrips on Brazilian peppertrees at a public release.
• Former Florida Senator Ken Pruitt (right) and major supporter for the UF/IFAS-IRREC biological control program joins Moss.

Brazilian pepper thrips are prepared inside a quarantine lab

• Inside a quarantine laboratory, members of the Minteer Biological Control team prepare Brazilian pepper thrips for distribution at a public release held in 2019. 

Brazilian pepper thrips in labeled containers

• Volunteers help extract Brazilian pepper thrips from containerized Brazilian peppertree plants and place them into labeled vials.
• Minteer Biological Control Laboratory faculty and staff distribute the vials onto large land tracts where Brazilian peppertree infestations exist.