BIOLOGICAL HELP FOR OUR PEPPER BUSTERS
January 26, 2020
Anyone who has spent much time in Florida is aware of Brazilian Pepper tree, BP, and how it is taking over much of the state. Because freezing temperatures kill it, Cedar Key is currently the most northern point of its range on the Gulf Coast. For over twenty years, a group of dedicated volunteers has been working on “busting” this Class I Invasive from the islands and public lands such as the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. It is labor intensive and at times frustrating because killing the roots can be difficult and suckers grow from whatever is left. 
Schinus terebinthifolius is the scientific name for BP and is related to poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, cashews, and mango which all contain urushiol…the compound that causes severe contact dermatitis for many of us. \
BP was brought to Florida as an ornamental from South America over 100 years ago and was readily available at nurseries statewide until it was banned in 1990. This fast growing, fire and drought tolerant, easily dispersed tree rapidly displaces native vegetation creating huge monocultures. It can not be controlled by burning because the urushiol reacts like mace or pepper spray. It has been over 20 years since a survey was done to determine how widespread they have become. In 1997 over 750,000 acres were covered with BP trees.
Good news has come in the way of Pseudophilothrips ichini, thrips for short. It took thirty years of research, intensive review process, and finally permitting for release. This long process is necessary to mitigate negative consequences that have happened in previous attempts at biological control. The cane toad in Australia, the wolfsnail and mongoose in Hawaii are examples of such failed efforts. Some biological control successes heren Florida are Alligator Weed (stem borer, flea beetle, and thrips); Water Hyacinth (weevils, plant hopper, and moth); Melaleuca (gall midge, psyllid, and snout beetle); Air Potato Vine (beetle). While bio control is not the be all to end all, it is a tool that helps to get and keep the invasives under control. There are two other insects that have been identified - the Yellow Brazilian Peppertree Leaf Galler, which was ready for release until the test colony collapsed, and the Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcid which just showed up but is proving beneficial. They each work in different ways on different parts of the plant.The upfront cost and effort that goes into establishing these tools is recovered in the end as the need for laborious mechanical and chemical control is reduced. In the meantime, the Pepper Busters work each Thursday (weather permitting) fall through winter. If you would like to help contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This information was presented by Sedonia Steininger, a Biological Scientist from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as part of the Cedar Key Library Lecture series on Saturday January 25.
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