A new search engine tool for identifying diseases, insect and mite pests and beneficials of tree fruit is now online. The search can be accessed in its entirety from the MSU Integrated Pest Management website at www.ipm.msu.edu/search.

Users can quickly search for diseases, pest and beneficial insects and mites that are found in apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums. The content currently in the search engine is based in large part on the “Tree Fruit Field Guide to Insect, Mite, and Disease Pests and Natural Enemies of Eastern North America” with some updated and new content based on current diseases and pests in the region.

The content of this print version of the "Tree Fruit Field Guide to Insect, Mite, and Disease Pests and Natural Enemies of Eastern North America" has been converted into an online search engine. Just by using the search engine, you can help us improve it.

Searches can be made using a combination of either the name of a particular disease or insect, the location on the plant where evidence of the disease or insect has been found, the plant growth stage, or the crop. There are also apple and cherry specific versions on the MSU Apples website and the MSU Cherries website respectively.

The tool can be used from any device that can access the Internet, but plans for a more mobile-friendly version are already underway as is the addition of other crops and their pests.

You can contribute to improve this search engine just by visiting one of the links above and conducting some searches. Each search will help our developers better understand how it is being used and what needs to be improved. In addition, you can complete a short survey after you use the search engine. Your feedback is very important to us for making this tool as useful as it can be.

This project was funded in part by grants from the USDA North Central Integrated Pest Management Center and by Project GREEEN.