The Bylaws, Article IV, Section 8, state that the Committee shall be composed of at least 11 members, each representing one of the following regions or institutions: Upper New England (ME, NH, VT), New York, Virginia, USDA (these four to be appointed by Presidents assuming office at Annual Meetings in 1993, 1996, 1999, ...), Pennsylvania, WV/central-western MD, Canada, Industry (appointed by Presidents assuming office in 1994, 1997, 2000, ...), Lower New England (MA, CT, RI), New Jersey, and Delmarva Peninsula (appointed by Presidents assuming office in 1995, 1998, 2001, ...). Members shall be identified by the Committee Chair and appointed by the President to serve a term of 3 years. The President shall designate the Chair, and appoint three or four members as appropriate.

The objectives of this Committee are to: 1) aid in professional communication by sponsoring symposia or workshops pertaining to the detection, evaluation, and prediction of insects; 2) encourage the development and standardization of effective sampling and reporting techniques; 3) foster the collection, processing and dissemination of pest insect impact data; 4) promote the development and use of effective insect detection and prediction systems; and 5) promote taxonomic research to facilitate accurate identification of insects and related arthropods.

To carry out the objectives of the Committee, it should interface with the appropriate agencies to identify problems, needs and goals of the Society as they relate to insect detection, evaluation, and prediction. The Committee should probably undertake only one project at a time focusing on a high priority, timely issue. Work responsibilities for the project should be distributed among the Committee members. The Chair of the IDEP Committee should advise the Branch President as well as the Secretary about Committee activities and the status of its members.