UF/IFAS News: Growing Papaya Trees, Return of Lovebugs, National Heat Awareness Day and more

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For the week beginning May 18, 2026

TIMELY NEWS National Heat Awareness Day takes place on May 29, and with temperatures rising in Florida, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with best practices for staying cool and safe this summer. From fun to hard work, UF/IFAS Extension has experts who can speak about how to avoid heat illnesses, especially for agricultural workers. Need an expert? Contact us.

Recent research, programs, events and more. We can help you cover and localize news to your area; just use the contact links below or reply to this email.

Want to grow papaya trees in your backyard? Ask IFAS bilingual resource offers top research tips for success With the right care, papaya trees thrive in Florida backyards, producing sweet fruit and flowers. Depending on the variety, this slender tree can produce more than one bright white flower in less than 12 months. Contact >

EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Desea cultivar papaya en su jardín? La guía bilingüe de Ask IFAS ofrece consejos basados en investigaciones para lograrlo exitosamente Contacto >

Lovebugs are back! But experts say the familiar Florida pest is a harmless nuisance They may be one of Florida’s most complained-about insects, but lovebug swarms are short-lived, harmless, and even helpful in their early life stages, researchers say.   Contact >

Strawberry producers nationwide rely on UF plant pathologists for fast, accurate, disease diagnoses; Fusarium wilt is latest Strawberry growers across the country aren’t just tending fields – they’re often running a quiet race against fast-moving plant diseases. When trouble strikes, their first call is often to the plant pathologists at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), the mighty hub where suspicious leaf spots and wilting plants are treated like high-stakes mysteries. Contact >

EN ESPAÑOL: Los productores de fresas de todo el país confían en los fitopatólogos de la UF para obtener diagnósticos de enfermedades rápidos y precisos; la marchitez por Fusarium es la más reciente. Contacto >

UF/IFAS announces new Director of Fundraising Initiatives role to support Animal Sciences The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) today announces the appointment of Mary Ann Hooks as Director of Animal Sciences Fundraising Initiatives, effective June 15, 2026.  Contact >

Nuevo contenido en español para esta semana. Tenemos una variedad de publicaciones de UF/IFAS que ahora se traducen al español para darle un mejor servicio a nuestras comunidades de habla hispana. A continuación encontrarás nuestras publicaciones e infográficos más recientes.

El fenómeno de El Niño representa un riesgo de enfermedades para la industria de la fresa en Florida, valorada en $500 millones anuales, pero un sistema de alerta podría ser de gran ayuda Los agricultores de la industria de la fresa en Florida, valorada en 500 millones de dólares anuales, acaban de finalizar una temporada mientras la próxima ya comienza a generar preocupación. Los científicos advierten sobre una alta probabilidad de aparición de enfermedades que afectan a las fresas, impulsadas por el patrón climático asociado al fenómeno de El Niño. Contacto >

IN ENGLISH: Projected El Niño poses disease risk to Florida’s $500 million-a-year strawberry industry, but an alert system could help. Contact >

From Around IFAS News from across the UF/IFAS network.

Supporting Florida agriculture as Hurricane Season approaches: Preparing for the impact assessment process Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its predictions for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. While there is a higher likelihood for below average activity in the Atlantic Basin, even one storm can have extreme impacts for those in the affected areas.

Anglers can snag $250 with their Atlantic red snapper A red snapper and $250 isn’t a bad way to end a day on the water. Those days may be many for the Florida anglers who are celebrating the longest Atlantic red snapper season in more than 15 years.

From classrooms to coastlines: The value of Pinellas County Extension A few months ago, Dana Stephens, the Extension director in Okaloosa County, shared a great article. She said our main job in Extension is simply helping people make better choices. Here in Pinellas County, our experts teach things that matter to our daily lives. We teach about beaches, nature, plants and youth programs.

Best of the rest. Alternative story formats created or supported by UF/IFAS Communications.

Our blogs share knowledge: Interested in learning about Florida’s cottage food law? If you’ve ever been told your cookies could win awards, your spice blends should be bottled or your sourdough starter deserves its own fan club, you might be sitting on more than just a hobby. Many home cooks don’t realize that their passion projects, like those late-night baking sessions or weekend canning marathons, could actually become a small business. In Florida, that possibility is more accessible than you might think.

Video stories: Hurricane boat prep - Storing your boat in a marina As Hurricane Season approaches, are you prepared? This updated video covers methods to prepare and store your in a marina.

EN ESPAÑOL: Preparación de su Bote ante Huracanes - Dejando su Bote en una Marina. Contacto >

Visual learning: Keep your cookout in the safe zone This Memorial Day, keep your friends and family safe from food-borne illnesses by following some food safety rules. Download >  |  More infographics >  |  Contact >

EN ESPAÑOL: Mantenga su Parrillada en la Zona Segura > Contacto >

Visit the UF/IFAS Newsroom Find B-roll, photos and more for your coverage needs at ifas.ufl.edu/newsroom.

UF/IFAS Communications News and Media Relations Team

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