By Steve Carbol, Lake & Wetland Management Senior Biologist (Introduced exotic species are denoted by an asterisk*) littoral /ˈli-tə-rəl; ˌli-tə-ˈral, -ˈräl/ adjective 1.1 Relating to or denoting the zone near a lake shore with rooted vegetation. ~ The Oxford English…
Horace’s Duskywing is a skipper and skippers are a family within the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths and butterflies. Skippers look superficially like butterflies but are small with proportionately large bodies and small triangular wings, oversized eyes, and hook-tipped…
Many north-easterners who relocate to south Florida pine for the profusion of autumn colors worn by deciduous trees in their native northern climates. While true that most south Florida trees are either clad in green year-round or drop their leaves…
A Breath of Fresh Aeration By Steve Carbol, Lake & Wetland Management Senior Biologist How Pond & Lake Aeration Systems Work Simply, aerators are machines that circulate water in lakes and ponds. Aerator models have been developed to work in…
When it comes to safeguarding Florida communities, it frequently involves monitoring situations that aren’t in plain sight. Stormwater Runoff Control This is the case with stormwater systems, an interconnected network of ponds, pipes, and overflow structures that prevent communities from…
Due to its diurnal habits, the nonvenomous Black Racer is one of the most frequently encountered Florida snakes. Though Florida hosts several other dark serpents, the Black Racer is easily identified from a distance by its slender, elegant build, quick…
A familiar sight and sound in waterways and wetlands across the state, the pigeon-sized Common Gallinule is a year-round Florida resident and a member of the rail family. As such, the gallinule has several relatives including the similar-looking American Coot,…
The old maxim holds that, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck,” but with proportions more akin to those of a wading bird and a voice like a dog’s squeaky toy,…
Lake & Pond Management: An Essential Service by Adam R. Grayson, Lake & Wetland Management During these uncertain times, the government has restricted many business operations throughout the world leaving only “essential” operations to function. You may be surprised to…
The Identity Crisis of Spilosoma Virginica, the Yellow Bear Caterpillar or Virginia Tiger Moth By Steve Carbol, Lake & Wetland Management Senior Biologist The Yellow Bear Caterpillar Known as the Virginian Tiger Moth As humans, we feel a deep-seated need…
