The Wellington Garden Club met Monday, Feb. 5 at the Wellington Community Center. The meeting featured a presentation on eco-friendly solutions for pest control in gardens by Dr. Lance Osborne, professor of entomology at the University of Florida, a dedicated and passionate advocate for the insect world.
Osborne’s expertise lies in integrated pest management and sustainable agricultural practices. His love for insects began during his childhood explorations in Florida’s countryside. His groundbreaking work in biological control and insect-plant interactions has earned him recognition within the scientific community. His commitment to promoting eco-friendly solutions solidifies his place as a respected figure in entomology.
In his presentation to the club, Osborne focused primarily on the growing problem of Thrips parvispinus (Thrips) in commercial and home landscapes, and how to combat these garden pests using environmentally friendly methods. These tiny pests have been found in a wide variety of ornamental plants and agricultural crops. They feed on plant tissues by extracting the contents of plant cells, causing severe damage and ultimately, plant loss. Members were surprised to learn that in a survey of large retail nurseries from Palm Beach County to the Georgia border, along the I-75 and I-95 corridors, all but one store had plants with Thrips. For more information on Thrips and how to control these invasive pests, contact the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center at the University of Florida at https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu.
To learn more about the Wellington Garden Club, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.
