Peter McGhee, research assistant in the Department of Entomology. Photo by Kurt Stepnitz

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Peter McGhee’s work with tree fruit growers at is helping Michigan crops produce higher yields, combating insect infestations with non-toxic measures.

McGhee, a research assistant in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, works with pheromones to alter moths’ behavior and mating patterns. Interrupting mating season means fewer larvae; fewer larvae means less damage to crops.

“Growers spray poisons to kill these insects,” McGhee said. “We work with these pheromones, which are synthetic, and we can deploy these in the orchard and change the insects’ behavior so that the males don’t find the females. That’s the idea.

“In many cases, I’ve got growers that don’t apply poisons at all anymore for that particular pest.”

A recent project showed McGhee’s work is paying dividends. Growers have reduced the number of pesticides from about seven per season to one or two per season, thanks to McGhee’s work.

“I love showing up on a grower’s farm and having a grower look at me and say, ‘What can you teach or show me today? How can I do this better?’” McGhee said.

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