Research and Outreach

Field Research

Mapping and Monitoring

Bromeliad populations were mapped and monitored in five Natural Areas in south Florida: Myakka River State Park (MRSP; the primary research site), Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LNWR), Highlands Hammock State Park (HHSP), Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (FSSP), and St. Sebastian Buffer Preserve State Park (SSSP) beginning in June 2001 and ending in June 2005. In the mapped areas, demographic data were collected on living bromeliads and cause of death was determined for bromeliads that died. Data were used to determine that rate of mortality caused by the Mexican bromeliad weevil compared to other causes of mortality as well as life patterns experienced by the bromeliads.

Pine View Weevil Watchers

From 2001 to 2006, students from the 3rd grade class at Pine View School in Osprey, Florida helped map and monitor bromeliads and the Mexican bromeliad weevil around the Canopy Walkway in Myakka River State Park. Five generations of 3rd graders and 112 children participated in this mission.

Adventures with the Cornell Crew

In January 2002, 4 students and their professor made a journey from Cornell College, Iowa to Sarasota, Florida to do field research in Myakka River State Park (MRSP). They performed an independent study using my method of mapping and monitoring the bromeliads in MRSP, which increased the mapped area in MRSP.

Fly Release Chronology

A potential biological control agent for controlling the invasive bromeliad-eating weevil Metamasius callizona in Florida was discovered in Honduras in 1993. This potential agent was a new genus and species and was given the scientific name Lixadmontia franki and the common name Franki fly. After years of research and getting permission, the fly was sytematically released in 4 Natural Areas in Florida (Lake Rogers Park, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, and Big Cypress National Preserve) from June 2007 to May 2009.

Laboratory and Field Research

Frank JH, Thomas MC. 1994. Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an immigrant pest, destroys bromeliads in Florida. Canadian Entomologist 126: 673-682.

Salas J, Frank JH. 2001. Development of Metamasius callizona (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on pineapple stems. Florida Entomologist. 84(1): 123-126.

Wood DM, Cave RD. 2006. Description of a new genus and species of weevil parasitoid from Honduras (Diptera: Tachinidae). Florida Entomol. 89, 239–244.

Suazo A, Arismendi N, Frank JH, Cave RD. 2006. Method for continuously rearing Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae), a potential biological control agent of Metamasius callizona (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). Florida Entomologist 89(3):348-353.

Frank JH, Cooper TM, Larson BC. 2006. Metamasius callizona (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae): longevity and fecundity in the laboratory. Florida Entomologist 89(2): 208-211.

Suazo A, Cave RD, Frank JH. 2008. Reproductive biology and development of Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils. Florida Entomol. 91(3):453-459.

Cooper TM, Cave RD. 2016. Effect of temperature on growth, reproductive activity, and survival of the invasive bromeliad-eating weevil Metamasius callizona (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomologist 99: 451-455.

Cooper TM, Frank JH. 2014. Description of the larval instars of Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae). Florida Entomologist 97(3): 1002-1014.

Outreach

Schools, 3rd to 12th Grades

Festivals and Other Events

Bromeliad Societies and Other Groups

Cade Museum