Daniel Carrillo, Ph.D.
Professor of Entomology and Nematology
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Agriculture faces constant threats from invasive pests and the diseases they spread — risks that can undermine entire industries if left unchecked. Daniel Carrillo’s research focuses on protecting tropical fruit crops by examining how insects and mites interact with plants, understanding their roles in disease transmission, and developing effective and sustainable management strategies.
Carrillo studies the biology and ecology of arthropods that affect crops such as avocado, helping develop approaches that reduce damage while minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides. His work is driven by a practical goal: safeguarding food production systems while promoting environmentally sustainable solutions.
One of Carrillo’s most influential contributions focuses on laurel wilt, a devastating disease that has affected native trees throughout the southeastern United States and poses a serious threat to avocado production. His research showed that the insects that spread laurel wilt in natural environments differ from those that transmit the disease in commercial avocado orchards. This distinction led to new management strategies that emphasize cultural practices and biological control rather than intensive pesticide use. Florida avocado growers have widely adopted these approaches, reducing disease impacts and restoring confidence in avocado production, as reflected in substantial orchard replanting.
Carrillo’s work also addresses emerging threats posed by mites and viruses they transmit, which affect a wide range of crops. His team has discovered several new mite species, clarified their roles in disease transmission, and developed targeted management strategies. These findings are advancing both scientific understanding and practical disease management, particularly in regions where agricultural production and natural ecosystems are closely interconnected.
His contributions have earned him several awards from the Entomological Society of America, along with other prestigious national and international awards, reflecting both the scientific impact of his research and its practical relevance to growers and policymakers. Carrillo’s work consistently bridges research and application, ensuring scientific advances translate into practical tools and strategies that can be implemented in the field.
Carrillo also plays an important role in extension and collaborative efforts, working directly with growers, regulatory agencies and international partners. Through these partnerships, he helps ensure that new scientific knowledge is widely disseminated and effectively translated into practical solutions, supporting sustainable agriculture at both local and global scales.