The applied research focuses mainly on the integrated management of mite and insect pests and the concepts, rationale and application thereof, especially to deciduous fruit, fruit fly management in the fruit industry, post-harvest entomology and plant nematological pests. Basic research is done on morphology and systematics, especially on Lepidoptera and fossil insects, and the physiology and ecology of fynbos insects. The Department houses an extensive collection of insects for study. A new, exciting field of study in the Department deals with the effect of agricultural and forestry activities on the landscape, on the animal and plant diversity, and on the water supply. The emphasis is on insect conservation biology, both in Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean islands.