Entomology

The overall goal has been to develop and implement integrated pest management (IPM) programs for tree fruits which are less reliant on broad-spectrum pesticides and emphasize the use of selective, less harmful control alternatives.

Another research focus has been insecticide and miticide resistance among major pest species. Resistance has become a major problem on tree fruits and is contributing to the erosion of effective control tools. The loss of products is especially serious since few new pesticides have received registrations in recent years. Work in this area consists of developing new detection methods for surveying resistance in major pests and conducting on-farm resistance management studies.

The entomology program at the Experiment Station has provided leadership to the Fruit Production (IFP) Program for tree fruits in the Mid-Columbia area. The goals of the IFP program are to help the fruit industry to transition to environmentally safer production methods and minimize the use of off-farm inputs. This means lowering not only pesticide use but use of all agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers and plant growth regulators to the minimum necessary based on orchard sampling and careful monitoring.

Annual Reports of Research in Entomology at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center are available free of charge. Please contact Dr. Riedl for copies.

Nomination to Graduate Faculty