Presented by César Alejandro Reyes Corral, Entomology PhD Candidate, Washington State University

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Increasing global trade and climate change make it easier for harmful pests to spread, putting agriculture at risk. One such threat in Washington State is the re-emergence of X-disease, which is particularly dangerous to the Pacific Northwest’s tree fruit industry. This disease, carried by tiny insects called leafhoppers, causes cherry trees to produce small, bitter, and misshapen fruit, making them unsellable. Farmers currently rely on controlling these leafhoppers with pesticides and removing infected trees, but these methods come at a huge economic and environmental cost. The heavy use of pesticides, especially after the fruit is harvested, harms the environment and could weaken the health of farming ecosystems in the long run. This has created an urgent need for more sustainable pest management approaches. We’ve developed a new tool that can quickly identify the presence of the leafhoppers, the X-disease pathogen, and two potential pest-fighting insects—a big-headed fly and a pincer wasp—all in one test. This innovative approach combines modern molecular technology with traditional pest control methods, offering a more effective and eco-friendly solution.