Fruit Entomology & Behavior Lab
Building A273 - Entomology Headhouse & Greenhouse (ENHG)
Our research laboratory is at the University of Arkansas Campus (AGRI 310). We grow plants as needed in a greenhouse.
We also interact with Dr. Curt Rom (Horticulture) on insect susceptibility of apple cultivars in a couple of apple plots associated with the NE-183 Apple Cultivar Regional Group.
We use a 3'x3'x6' wind tunnel with a moving-striped floor to observe insect flight in response to odor or visual cues. We are learning to use a Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) device for collecting and measuring headspace concentrations of organic volatiles from plants and insects. An outdoor insectary is used to rear various fruit insects. Two mite brushing machines and two-70x stereomicroscopes with cool fiber optic lamps (one is a ring lamp) are used to estimate mite densities on leaves. We have access to Horticulture's walk-in coldrooms for various purposes.
We have the necessary equipment to apply pesticides for small orchard plot studies, e.g., 3 gal solo hand pump sprayer, 5 HP piston pump sprayer. A truck is assigned to this program.