Allies and Friends
Early research on the Mexican bromeliad weevil began at the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department in Gainesville, Florida, and included the very first field excursions of the weevil; developing a method to rear the weevil; the finding of a potential biological control agent and developing a method for rearing the agent; laboratory research on the weevil; mapping the weevil's progress across central and southern Florida; measuring bromeliad mortality caused by the weevil; and understanding weevil and bromeliad interactions and demographics.
Research on the Mexican bromeliad weevil, the potential biological control agent, and Florida's bromeliads, as well as bromeliads from Belize, has been and is being performed at the University of Florida, Indian River Research and Education Center.
The Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies (FCBS) is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization that serves the bromeliad enthusiasts of Florida. The FCBS has been helping save Florida's bromeliads since the Mexican bromeliad weevil (Metamasius callizona) first arrived in Florida in 1989. The FCBS has provided funding for research, field expeditions, and supplies, as well as actively participated in research projects. The FCBS has helped greatly in disseminating information about the Mexican bromeliad weevil and Florida's bromeliads. The FCBS maintains the Al Muzzell Weevil Fund. Donations made to this fund are used to pay for research and conservation efforts and allow us to continue our work to save Florida's bromeliads. All donations are tax-deductible.
Click here to make a donation. Visit the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies Web site for more information and resources about bromeliads and the Mexican bromeliad weevil.
Myakka River State Park is located about nine miles east of Sarasota. It was the primary site for mapping and monitoring Florida's bromeliads from 2001 to 2005.
Myakka River State Park was also one of 4 locations where the fly, Lixadmontia franki was released from June 2007 to May 2009.
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife is located west of Boynton Beach Refuge and is the present-day northern-most point of the Everglades. It was a secondary location for mapping and monitoring Florida's bromeliads from 2001 to 2005.
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was also one of 4 locations where the fly, Lixadmontia franki was released from June 2007 to May 2009.
Highlands Hammock State Park is located 4 miles west of Sebring. It was a secondary location for mapping and monitoring Florida's bromeliads from 2001 to 2005.
The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is just west of Copeland and north of Everglades City. It was a secondary location for mapping and monitoring Florida's bromeliads from 2001 to 2005.
St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve is near Fellsmere. It was a secondary location for mapping and monitoring Florida's bromeliads from 2001 to 2005.
The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary (EFS) is located in Titusville. It was the location of a field study from March 2007 to June 2009 that measured the rate of mortality caused by the Mexican bromeliad weevil on a large, dense population of Tillandsia utriculata.
EFS was also one of 4 locations where the fly, Lixadmontia franki was released from June 2007 to May 2009.
And, EFS was the primary location for working out a conservation method for keeping T. utriculata alive while looking for alternative methods to control the weevil, beginning in 2014 and continuing.
Lake Rogers Conservation Park is located in Odessa. It was one of 4 locations where the fly, Lixadmontia franki was released from June 2007 to May 2009. An F2 fly was recovered from this location after the first release; no other recoveries were made.
Big Cypress National Preserve is located in south Florida, spanning between Alligator Alley and 41. It was one of 4 locations where the fly, Lixadmontia franki was released from June 2007 to May 2009.
Selby Botanical Gardens, along with Naples Botanical Garden, is rescuing giant airplants (Tillandsia utriculata) and the strap-leaved guzmania (Guzmania monostachia) from the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park for seed production and repopulating the Fakahatchee Preserve. As well, they are researching to improve conservation efforts.
The T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve is located in Venice, Florida. It is a site for conserving Florida's bromeliads.
Naples Botanical Garden, along with Selby Botanical Gardens, is rescuing giant airplants (Tillandsia utriculata) and the strap-leaved guzmania (Guzmania monostachia) from the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park for seed production and repopulating the Fakahatchee Preserve. As well, they are doing research to improve conservation efforts.
Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center is located in Venice, Florida. It is a site for conserving Florida's bromeliads.
South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve is located in Venice, Florida. It is a site for conserving Florida's bromeliads.
The land managers, scientists, and volunteers who have helped and who continue to help save Florida's bromeliads are dedicated, hard-working, and talented people. They love the wonders of the natural world and actively participate to keep such wonders alive.
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