DECEMBER 5, 2005

ISSUE 1092

FLORIDA'S "CAPS" PROGRAM SEEKS HELP IN DETECTING PESTS, DISEASES

Florida's Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (FL CAPS) Program is the largest and busiest one in the country, and it would like help from growers in its efforts to detect invasive pests and diseases in their early stages.

"It's not feasible to keep tabs on all the agriculture in the state," said Dr. Adam Silagyi, Florida CAPS state survey coordinator. "The more eyes out there spotting the unusual in fields and lawns, the earlier we can catch what's out there, and the better off Florida will be in the long run."

CAPS is a nationally funded program whose primary purpose is to operate at the state level as a type of "strike team" that coordinates systematic surveys and resources aimed at early detection.

The program has been active for several years, but its funding and scope expanded dramatically after 9-11, so that the various agricultural agencies of the nation would be better equipped to look for and deal with biological agents that might be used by terrorists.

If you notice an unusual and possibly exotic invasive plant pest or disease, please contact Dr. Silagyi at (352) 372-3505, ext. 252.