Primary Faculty: Fred Hain

Over 60% of North Carolina is forested (more than 19.2 million acres). The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is ranked second in the nation in number of trees harvested and first in the nation in terms of dollars made per tree. Research in forest entomology has led to an understanding of the host resistance mechanisms of southern yellow pine to southern pine beetle attack and the mechanisms of Fraser fir resistance to the balsam woolly adelgid. Research on the hemlock woolly adelgid is concerned with biological control and host resistance. Christmas tree research focuses on the cultural practices in Christmas tree farms that enhance the activity of native and introduced natural enemy populations. The teaching program includes undergraduate and graduate courses in forest entomology.