Mission:
The mission of the Fruit and Vegetable Insect Research Unit located in Wapato, Washington is to seek new and more effective means to control insect pests of deciduous tree fruit and potato crops. The MU conducts research under two National Programs which are Code 304 Crop Protection and Quarantine, and Code 308 Methyl Bromide Alternatives. Emphases include development of biological control and bio-intensive methods for insect management and the expansion of fundamental knowledge of the biology of the major pests. The program seeks novel approaches and techniques for integrated pest management systems that will reduce pesticide use. These approaches include the application of biotechnology and other molecular methods, pathogens, parasites, predators, and semiochemicals of pest insects. Pests of primary concern are codling moth, pear psylla, apple maggot and leafrollers on apple and pear, cherry fruit fly on cherries, and green peach aphid and wireworms on potato. These objectives include developing quarantine treatments to eliminate pests in fruits for export, with current emphasis on codling moth in apple and cherry, lesser apple worm and Oriental fruit moth in apple, and arthropods on the surfaces of apple and pear. As part of the IR-4 minor use program, studies continue to determine efficacy of insecticides and to quantify pesticide residues on crops.