Key Takeaways
- Hood College's Department of Biology has received a $19,998 USDA grant to research natural predators of the Spotted-Wing Drosophila, an invasive fly pest first identified in California in 2008.
- Spotted-Wing Drosophila is considered the most significant pest of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherries in the United States, causing an estimated $718 million in annual agricultural damage.
- The project is led by Assistant Professor of Biology Chia-Hue Lue, Ph.D., and aims to identify natural enemies that specifically target the pest as an alternative to chemical pesticide use.
- Hood College students will participate directly in field sampling, insect identification, laboratory research, and data analysis, collaborating with scientists from other universities and federal research agencies.
Hood College Receives USDA Grant to Study Natural Predators of Invasive Berry Pest
Hood College's Department of Biology has been awarded a $19,998 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate natural predators of the Spotted-Wing Drosophila, an invasive fly species that has become the most destructive insect pest affecting soft fruit production in the United States. The research is led by Assistant Professor of Biology Chia-Hue Lue, Ph.D., and will be conducted with the direct involvement of Hood College students.
The Spotted-Wing Drosophila was first identified in California in 2008 and has since spread widely across North American growing regions. Unlike most Drosophila species, which target already-damaged or overripe fruit, this pest is capable of laying eggs in intact, ripening fruit, making it particularly difficult to manage in commercial berry production. It is now considered the primary insect threat to blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherries in the US, with annual damage estimated at $718 million.
A Biological Control Approach
The Hood College research focuses on identifying natural enemies that specifically target the Spotted-Wing Drosophila, with the goal of developing biological control options that reduce crop losses while limiting reliance on chemical pesticides. This approach aligns with broader efforts across the crop protection sector to find integrated pest management solutions for invasive species that have outpaced existing chemical control strategies.
“Through this project, we are working to establish natural enemies that specifically target the pest, helping to reduce crop damage while decreasing reliance on chemical pesticides,” said Chia-Hue Lue, Assistant Professor of Biology at Hood College.
Hood College Student Research and Collaboration
The project also serves as a hands-on training platform for Hood College undergraduates. Students will participate in field sampling, insect identification, laboratory work, and data analysis, working alongside scientists from other universities and federal research agencies.
“With experiences like these, [Hood students] gain hands-on training in entomology, ecology, and biological control, while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills,” said Lue.
