Ernest J. Harris

Ernest James Harris (May 24, 1928 – February 20, 2018) was an American entomologist who is best known for his work on Biosteres arisanus, a species of wasp. He was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 1999.

Early life and education Harris was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was the youngest of six children, and grew up on a 45-acre cotton farm without access to electricity. Every year he missed school during the harvest to pick cotton, and would have to study by candlelight. Harris served as a Montford Point Marine. Harris extensively studied Biosteres arisanus, a species of wasp that is parasitic for fruit fly eggs. Several nations adopted the use of the Harris strain of this wasp to eradicate fruit flies, including Chile, who have been fruit fly free since 1975. This success resulted in Harris being awarded a commendation from the government of Chile. His research formed the basis of California's Mediterranean fruit fly exclusion programme.

Awards and honours 1989 Inducted into the Royal Entomological Society 2016 Congressional Gold Medal Together they had three children.