The group was created in October, 2003 with research focuses on forest exotic pest, chemical ecology and IPM of forest insect pest. More specifically, research on Chemical ecology of bark beetles, especially red turpentine beetle; forest exotic pest ecology and management; IPM development of pine wood nematode vector-Monochamus alternatus; Biological control of kudzu and loblolly pine mealybug; Cone and seed insects.

The group is also very interested in the impact of climatic change on the forest health and pest outbreak, the interaction complex of soil/host/pest/climate change.