Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab

08/25/2026

Welcome to UF, IRREC, and the Victoria! We are so excited to have you as part of the team!

We are excited to welcome Victoria Ayala as a new graduate assistant at IRREC!

Originally from El Salvador, Victoria earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Development Engineering from Zamorano in 2022. Most recently, she successfully defended a master's thesis in Entomology at Louisiana State University under the guidance of Dr. Rodrigo Diaz.

Bringing extensive experience in remote sensing and biotechnology, Victoria will join the Minteer Biological Control of W**ds Lab this fall to conduct research focused on the remote sensing of invasive aquatic plants and biological control. Her expertise and passion for innovative environmental research will help advance efforts to better understand and manage invasive species.

Please join us in welcoming Victoria to the IRREC community. We look forward to the contributions and discoveries ahead!

08/12/2026

Another great story about successful biological control of a damaging w**d species.

In 1988, researchers working with the United States Department of Agriculture released a small population of European flea beetles onto infested rangeland near Valley City, North Dakota, hoping the insects might help control a plant that had been quietly overrunning the Northern Great Plains for dec...

07/30/2026

Join the at the North American Invasive Species Associations annual meeting in Alexandria, VA this year!

07/24/2026

We are conducting pasture grass susceptibility trials for the pasture mealybug. Thanks to our friends at the UF IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center for helping prioritize species for testing and for bringing down nearly 100 established plants so we could get testing started quickly! Also thanks to the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center Director, Dr. Mark Kistler, for helping move all those plants to where we needed them!

07/16/2026

This week Dr. Minteer and graduate student, Mackenzie Cummings, attended the Florida Entomological Society meeting in St. Augustine. Mackenzie gave a presentation on the ongoing earleaf acacia biological control project.

04/20/2026

The was thrilled to co‑host this event with UF/IFAS Extension agent Lindsey Crum! Huge thanks to Dr. Guzman for her hands‑on session on smart irrigation and soil moisture sensors, Dr. Ritenour for his insights on postharvest technology and post harvest facility tour, and Dr. Kistler for sharing his journey from Extension agent to Center Director at UF/IFAS IRREC. A day full of discovery, inspiration, and future plans! Special thanks to our sponsors, Hendry and Glades County Soil & Water Conservation Districts and Florida Power & Light!!

02/27/2026

02/25/2026

It's National Invasive Species Awareness Week!

02/25/2026

02/03/2026

On January 31, our teams from the Minteer Biological Control of W**ds Lab , UF IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, and City of Port St. Lucie - City Hall joined forces for a powerful day of action with the community in the Whispering Pines neighborhood.

Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we removed 425 lbs of trash and 33 lbs of invasive plants from the community greenspace — clearing the way for residents to design their dream neighborhood natural area. 💚

Every piece picked up and every invasive pulled brings us closer to a healthier, more vibrant community. Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and made a difference! 🌿✨