Florida-introduced-species
Guides
Ischnodemus variegatus
myakka bug
Ischnodemus variegatus, commonly known as the myakka bug, is a true bug in the family Blissidae native to Central and South America. The species was first recorded in Florida in 2000, where it was discovered feeding on the invasive West Indian marsh grass (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) in Myakka River State Park. It has been extensively studied as a potential biological control agent for this invasive wetland weed due to its high host specificity. The bug is small, with females reaching about 7 mm and males about 6 mm in length, and produces a noxious scent when disturbed.
Narnia femorata
Leaf-footed Cactus Bug
Narnia femorata is a leaf-footed bug (Coreidae) native to the southern United States and Central America. The species was introduced to Florida in the 1960s via nursery stock and is now fully established. It feeds primarily on cactus fruit, especially Opuntia species, using a long tube-like beak. Males possess enlarged, spiny hind femora used as weapons in male-male combat for territories on cactus pads bearing fruit. The species exhibits pronounced phenotypic plasticity, with body size, weapon size, and beak length changing seasonally in response to host plant fruit availability. Populations have been documented utilizing Cirsium thistle as an alternative host, representing a recent host range expansion.
Neomusotima
Neomusotima is a genus of crambid moths established by Yoshiyasu in 1985, containing at least two species: N. conspurcatalis (Warren, 1896) and N. fuscolinealis Yoshiyasu, 1985. The genus is best known for N. conspurcatalis, which has been extensively studied as a biological control agent against the invasive Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) in Florida. This species exhibits highly specific host associations with ferns, with genomic studies revealing expansions in odorant receptor gene families potentially linked to host plant detection.
Neomusotima conspurcatalis
Lygodium Defoliator Moth
A small crambid moth native to South and Southeast Asia, introduced to Florida as a biological control agent for the invasive Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum). Larvae are specialist feeders on Lygodium ferns, with young larvae skeletonizing leaves and older larvae consuming entire foliage. The species has been extensively studied for its host specificity and is subject to parasitism by multiple native parasitoid species in its introduced range.