Indian River Research and Education Center

Brazilian Peppertree Biological Control Images

This page features images and information about the Brazilian Peppertree Biological Control Program at the UF/IFAS-IRREC Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory.

Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory

Facility

Located on Pruitt Research Road in Fort Pierce
The laboratory features offices, and both non-quarantine and quarantine laboratories
Hurricane-tolerant greenhouses
Water treatment ensures no quarantined insects will leave the laboratory
Back-up generators function during power outages

Dr. Carey Minteer distributes Brazilian pepper thrips at the first public event and news conference

Dr. Carey Minteer

In this 2019 image, Dr. Minteer releases thrips at a park in Broward County
The event was a news conference involving all of the agencies who contributed to the program success

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Brazilian Peppertree

Containerized Brazilian peppertrees are part of the research program at the UF/IFAS-IRREC Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory.

Brazilian Peppertree

The Brazilian peppertree is Florida's most serious invasive plant - consuming more than 700,000 acres statewide.

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Brazilian Peppertree

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

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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

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Adult flowers on a Brazilian peppertree

Flowers transform into the red peppers on the Brazilian peppertree.

Brazilian Pepper Thrips

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Adult and Immature Brazilian Pepper Thrips

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

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Close-up of Brazilian Pepper Thrips

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

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Actual Size of Brazilian Pepper Thrips

Brazilian pepper thrips are often seen together.

Calophya Latiforceps

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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.

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Calophya Latiforceps Immatures

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

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Calophya Latiforceps Adults

Adult Calophya latiforceps wings are transparent.

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Calophya Latiforceps Male

The species will only feed and develop on Brazilian peppertree.

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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.

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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.

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Calophya Lutea

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Calophya Lutea - Male

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Calophya Lutea - Female

Calophya Terebinthifolii

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

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Mature Calophya Terebinthifolii

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Immature Calophya Terebinthifolii

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

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Calophya Terebinthifolii

Outreach and Extension

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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.

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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.

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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.

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