The landing on the mid-St. Johns River near Lake Monroe in Debary.
The days have been crystal clear with warm temperatures and few clouds.
Today's high was in the mid-80°s F (29° C).
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Fishing? In the Wekiva River near where it meets the St. Johns River
But what are all those bugs in the water? Swarms of annoying, biting, water-skimming bugs?
The millions of bugs you see on the surface of Central Florida's rivers are Giant Water Bugs (Lethocerus americanus) on the surface of the river. They were swarming near the docks. These insects are aggressive predators and will sometimes bite when molested. However, generally, they will flee from humans and/or play dead if encountered on land, before biting. In Florida they are also known as toe-biters, electric-light bugs and Alligator Fleas. Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect though the bite causes no long term medical problem for humans.
The reflections in the water are Bald Cypress Trees (Taxodium distichum).
These predators stalk, capture and feed on aquatic crustaceans, fish and amphibians.
The heteropteran family Belostomatidae contains the giant water bugs. These large, predatory, aquatic insects have the largest body size among the Heteroptera. Adults of some South American species reach 4 inches in length. Individuals occur in ponds and ditches where they suspend below the surface, respiring through two abdominal appendages which act as siphons. During mating season they fly from pond to pond or pool of water. It is during these flights that these insects fly to lights in large numbers, earning their other common name, "electric light bugs". Individuals are capable of inflicting a painful bite with their strong beak, and may also pinch with their front legs. Individuals prey on aquatic insects, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, small birds, and other organisms they are able to capture. Powerful enzymes are injected into prey to kill them. Adults of Lethocerus are considered a delicacy in Asia, and are eaten both fresh and cooked.
Seven genera and approximately 60 species occur worldwide, with three genera and approximately 20 species found in North America. The following three genera containing eight species of Belostomatidae are known to occur in Florida:
Abedus Stål, 1862
Abedus immaculatus (Say)
Belostoma Latreille, 1807
Belostoma flumineum Say
Belostoma lutarium (Stål)
Belostoma testaceum (Leidy)
Belostoma flumineum Say
Belostoma lutarium (Stål)
Belostoma testaceum (Leidy)
Lethocerus Mayr, 1853
Lethocerus (Benacus) griseus (Say)
Lethocerus americanus (Leidy) - Central Florida
Lethocerus annulipes (Mayr) - Palm Beach
Lethocerus uhleri (Montandon)
Lethocerus americanus (Leidy) - Central Florida
Lethocerus annulipes (Mayr) - Palm Beach
Lethocerus uhleri (Montandon)
BELOW: A close up of one of these aggressive little bugs.
Alligatorweed Flea Beetle
Two introduced species thrive in Florida; Alligatorweed unintentionally released in the early 1900s, Alligatorweed Flea Beetles intentionally released to control the Alligatorweed in the 1960s before climate change accelerated
Giant Water Bugs are sometimes confused with Alligatorweed Flea Beetles (Agasicles hygrophila; above) because of the name. They look quite different but are similarly swarming insects that can bite.
Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae), is an invasive aquatic weed native to South America that began threatening Florida’s waterways in the early 1900s. This rooted perennial herb reproduces vegetatively from stem fragments and forms dense floating mats. The floating mats impede navigation, block drains and water intake valves, reduce light penetration, and displace native species. Alligatorweed is a prohibited species in Florida.
The alligatorweed flea beetle, Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt, was the first insect ever studied for biological control of an aquatic weed. The introduction of this insect into the United States was approved in 1963, but it was not successfully established on the invasive alligatorweed until 1965. The insect was first released in 1964 in California, and subsequently, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.
The first successful release in Florida was made on plants infesting the Ortega River near Jacksonville, Florida. These insects were originally obtained from the Ezeiza Lagoon near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most of the beetles that were later released at subsequent locations were progeny (offspring) from this original population.
Alligatorweed flea beetles kill the plant by destroying its
stored food and interfering with photosynthesis by removing
leaf tissue. Both adults and larvae feed on the leaves
of alligatorweed, often defoliating the stems. After the
leaves have been consumed, the insects will then chew the
epidermis (outer surface) from the stems. Feeding damage
by young larvae consists of circular pits < 1 mm in diameter located on the abaxial (lower) surface of the leaf. The larvae
do not chew entirely through the leaf but leave the upper
surface intact. Later instars consume more leaf tissue,
creating larger and more irregular feeding pits, and may
feed on either side of the leaf. High flea beetle populations
can decimate alligatorweed, reducing it to bare stems in
a short time. From a distance, alligatorweed mats under
attack appear yellow, progressing to brown until the plants
collapse. Once established, this insect is capable of reducing
plant populations in about 3 months.
This insect has been an extremely effective biological
control agent in coastal regions of the southeastern United
States. However, it was thought that the beetles could not survive exposure to winter temperatures, and populations of the
insects would have to be routinely re-established in the northern inland
areas by augmentative releases. But that was before climate change (global warming) accelerated and temperatures modified to the point where the insects thrive year round, feeding on whatever they can find if no alligatorweed is available.
We're Following:
Diego Miguel
We can't always tell what it is he's selling. Here, we assume its the bathing suit above and the sweater below. . .
. . .and here? Seeling Men's Health Magazines in Spanish, of course. . .
Apparently Looking at Diego Miguel Makes You Want to Shop
on Facebook
Página do modelo brasileiro
Diego Miguel
We've Read:
Tail flitching, avoiding bright areas, reaction to palpitation. . . read on.
We'd say. . .not. That would be poison ivy.
The lack of field skills among biology students, even those who major in ecology is becoming abundantly clear. What happens when you can't get wikipedia on your cell phone? The ability to identify plants and animals, to recognize invasive species and to observe the impact of process such as fire on the landscape are essential.
If you guessed Yosemite or Yellowstone you'd be wrong. Hint, check out the photo above. Can you tell where I was in the Fall? See my blog post at this LINK.
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