The entomology program, headed by Dr. Peter W. Shearer, conducts research on arthropod (insects and mites) pests and their natural enemies that are found on pears, sweet cherries and apples in the Mid-Columbia fruit-growing district.

The overall goal of the entomology program is to develop and evaluate integrated pest management (IPM) programs for tree fruits that are less reliant on broad-spectrum pesticides and promote the use of newer, selective materials that are compatible with biological control.

Current Projects include:

• Developing management plans for the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, in cherry
• Evaluating effects of insecticides and miticides on pests and their natural enemies of pome and stone fruits
• Using herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPV’s) to monitor and develop phenology models for key natural enemies of pear and sweet cherry insect pests
• Measuring sublethal effects of pesticides on natural enemy biology and population growth