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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100 Years of Entomology at TAMUA CENTURY OF SUCCESS: 100 YEARS OF ENTOMOLOGY AT TEXAS ABM UNIVERSITY GE � R T b1e• �b� ." O � 1 Yee�'lls .AT`{1 �� Epp1 _d '' ,..11 ,c p .rP b %�abn�� In the 1890s,Texas farmers were hosting an unwelcome guest. The boll weevil had just arrived from Mexico and was enjoying a royal feast on "King Cotton:' Farmers clamored for a solution to the problem, and in 1899 a state legislative act authorized Texas AeiM College to hire "an expert entomologist" to establish an entomology department and, if possible, to devise ways to control the boll weevil and other pests. During the next 100 years, the department would grow from these humble beginnings into one of the leading entomology teaching, research, extension, and regulatory centers in the nation. In celebration of its centennial year, the Department of Entomology looks back at a century of success and forward to exciting prospects in the future. Ent6o ogv Texas A&M University W Ivan Shiller in the latter years of his career stands in front of pyramid pink bollworm emergence cages that he designed and that are still being used today. In 1917, Shiller, while a Texas ABtM entomology student; found the first pink bollworm specimen in the U.S. at Hearne, Texas. In 1920, he received the first Master of Science degree in entomology awarded by the department H.J. Reinhard joined the Division of Entomology with I the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1916 to conduct research on insect pests. He published classical papers on the biologies of numerous species of insect pests. Reinhard was also interested in the taxonomy of flies. He described 94 new genera and 529 new species of flies. When the various units of entomology at Texas ABtM were. consolidated in 1947, Reinhard began teaching insect systematics and building the departmental insect collection. He retired in 1960. Two Battle Fronts: Training Entomologists and Fighting Pests Several events occurred in the 1920s that highlight the continued development of the department. The first master of science degree was awarded to Ivan Shiller in 1920. The first chief of foulbrood inspection (C.S. Rude) and the first Extension entomologist (Roy R. Reppert) were hired in 1920. An apicultural research laboratory was established in the early 1920s in San Antonio, the first off - campus entomology laboratory of Experiment Station. It was also during this decade that the Experiment Station's Division of Apiculture was established and Harris B. Parks appointed as its chiefApicultural research was conducted under this division until 1947 when the three entomological units of Texas ABtM were consolidated. Regulatory work dealing with bee diseases remained the responsibility of the Division of Entomology. Frank L.Thomas succeeded Maurice C.Tanquary as chief of the Division of Entomology in 1924. Thomas remained in this position until 1947, during which time he built a stable statewide research program that dealt with varied insect problems. The damage caused by the cotton fleahopper during the early- and mid -1920s resulted in the Division of Entomology receiving substantial funding through a legislative appropriation to expand its research program on Boll weevil control experiment plots with P.L Downs Natatorium in the background. cotton pests. These funds provided for the addition of several entomologists to the Division of Entomology staff, including Willis L. Owen Jr. (1926), 1.C. Gaines (1927), and Robert K. Fletcher (1927, transferred from teaching). During the first part of the decade, the department taught courses mostly to students in other departments although, by the end of the 1920s, a few entomology students earned bachelor's degrees each year. There continued to be relatively few entomology majors until after World War II, and Bilsing frequently had to plead with the Dean of Agriculture to allow the small sections of entomology courses. While enrollment in most of the entomology courses offered during thi period was relatively low, beekeeping courses were popular. For example, around 1920 as many as 150 students were enrolled in a beekeeping course during a single semester. Large numbers of students continued to enroll in beekeeping courses for many years. The department is fortunate to have had more than its share of dedicated teachers throughout its history. One whose name will always remain on the list of illustrious teachers of entomology is Van A. Little. Little joined the faculty in 1923 and like his colleague, S.W. Biking, became a master teacher, a distinction he held throughout his 41 years on the faculty at Texas A&M. His broad knowledge of entomology and its history is legendary. Dr. VA Little receives the award as the Outstanding Professor in the School of Agriculture, Texas A&M College, from Danny Gansky, president of the Student Agricultural Council, 1958. i I 1 Frank L. Thomas Chief of Division of Entomology — Research 1924 -1947 Frank Thomas was appointed chief of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's division of entomology in 1924 and retained that position until 1947. He directed various aspects of cotton insect control and traveled throughout Texas to observe insect problems and conduct research. He was also deeply engaged in apiculture and was well known by beekeepers throughout the state. His tenure as chief of the division covered a period during which there was a large increase in the research personnel and diverse projects. When the department of entomology and the division of entomology were consolidated in 1947, Thomas' title changed to professor, and he began teaching courses in beekeeping and general entomology and conducting research on bees. He retired in 1954 and accepted a 3 —year position in Peru to advise cotton growers of a large organization. After The War: A Time of Change 1 I I The rapid demobilization of the war effort and the educational benefits offered to veterans by the G.I. Bill resulted in increased enrollment at Texas ABtM following the war. The graduate program, in its infancy when the war began, faced significant changes when veterans returned ready to work on advanced degrees. Faculty members who had entered military service returned to teaching immediately after being discharged. The Division of Entomology began to rebuild its research programs with returning veterans. The most significant postwar change in administration occurred in 1947 when the Department of Entomology, Division of Entomology, and the Division of Apiculture, each previously with its own head, were combined into the Department of Entomology. Horace G. Johnston was appointed as head of this consolidated department. Most on- campus entomologists who previously held 100 percent research appointments were now assigned some teaching responsibilities.This change greatly increased the expertise available to teach undergraduate and graduate courses and contributed to the development of an expanded graduate program. In a 1986 article on the history of the science of agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, and veterinary medicine in Texas, H.O. Kunkel (then Dean of Agriculture) stated that 1947 was a "watershed year in the development of agricultural and other applied biological research in Texas." Consolidation of the various agricultural units at Texas A&M, plus the increased support that followed for graduate study, resulted in considerable change in graduate programs. He stated that "Over 150 persons received doctor's degrees in the departments of the College of Agriculture during the decade 1949 -1958, compared to only six during the entire previous history of Texas ABtM University. "Two of the six doctorate degrees granted in agriculture before 1949 were awarded by the Department of Entomology. A total of 125 bachelor's degrees and 35 master's degrees in entomology were conferred prior to 1947. At the time of the consolidation, the on- campus department included nine faculty members with joint teaching /research duties, one full -time teacher, four full -time researchers, and one Extension entomologist. EL. Thomas, who had been chief of the Division of Entomology since 1924, was appointed professor in the department and was assigned teaching and apicultural research duties. S.W. Bilsing, head of the Department of Entomology since 1915, was relieved of administrative duties to concentrate on teaching. He also chose to continue his pecan insect research but because of poor health was not able to analyze the vast amount of data that he had collected over the decades. Bilsing retired in 1952. Other developments occurring during this time included the completion of the Entomology Research Laboratory in I947.The previous insect research facilities located near the center of campus were vacated and demolished. Appointments of the first off - campus Extension entomologists were made to the Lower Rio Grande Valley area in 1948 and to the Lubbock substation in 1949. W.L. Owen Jr. was assigned to the Lubbock substation in 1947 as its first resident Experiment Station entomologist. The main Entomology Research Laboratory m College Stat was completed in 1947. This building was enlarged to i ts present size in 1968. J.C. Gaines Department Head Teaching and Reserch 1952 -1967 J.C. Gaines spent his entomology career at Texas A &M. He came to the college in 1927 to work on cotton insects for the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's division of entomology and, except for time spent in military service during World War II, remained at A &M until retirement From 1927 -1947, he worked in the division of entomology. In 1947, his appointment became joint teaching- research. He served as department head from 1952 -1967, after which he served in an advisory position at East Pakistan University. He retired in 1971. Gaines devoted most of his career to cotton insect research. He was one of the first researchers to develop an early season control program for the boll weevil. Departmental truck and sprayer to be used in control of pecan pests, 1940s or 1950s F.L. Thomas (left) and apiculturist A.H. Alex conduct honey bee demonstration at Texas A8&14, early 1950s. 1 Entomology Club o f Department of Entomology 1960 with faculty sponsors RI Hanna (first from left in second row), M.A. Price (second from left in second row), J.0 Gaines (seventh from left in second row) and D.R king (eighth from left in second row). By the beginning of this decade, changes brought about by the 1947 reorganization of entomology were gradually being incorporated. Teaching and some research activities were moved into the new Biological Sciences Building in 1950, while most on-campus research was being conducted in the 3- year-old Entomology Research Laboratory. Although the space provided by these facilities soon proved to be inadequate, the department was better housed than at any other time in its 50 -year existence. A new era of entomology had begun at Texas A&M. Some of the older members of the department retired during this period, and new faculty and staff were added. J.C. Gaines became department head in 1952 after the resignation of H.G. Johnston. The postwar increase in enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels taxed both the department's physical and human resources. The larger number of students, addition of new courses, continued development of the graduate program, and expanded research and Extension activities required additional faculty and staff. In response to these needs, nine on- campus faculty, seven off-campus research entomologists, and 13 new Extension entomologists (including County Agricultural Agents — Entomology) were added Students and faculty examine an airplane modified for applying insecticides, 1950s. I i I during the decade. Some of these were replacements but most filled new positions. The availability of effective chlorinated hydrocarbon and organophosphate insecticides fostered a post -World War II dependency upon these chemicals. This event greatly affected the direction of the department in the 1950s as most members of the department became heavily involved in the testing and use of insecticides for insect control. So many new pesticides were introduced that it was difficult for research entomologists to determine their effectiveness. Extension entomologists were likewise taxed by the immediate need to disseminate information to glowers and homeowners on the proper use of these chemicals. Although there were warnings during the 1950s about the overuse of pesticides and their damage to the environment, these were often ignored by the public and many entomologists. It was not until the environmental effects of pesticides became more broadly publicized and insects started developing resistance that views on their usage began to change. New insect problems in Texas during the 1950s caused considerable concern among growers and entomologists. By the middle of the decade, the boll weevil 1 1 had become resistant to some chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides recommended for its control in Texas and other states. Shortly thereafter, other species of insects developed resistance. This was an ominous sign that pesticides alone were not the answer to all insect problems. Although the pink bollworm was first found in Texas in 1917, for many years after its effect on cotton remained generally minimal. However, by 1952, the pest had spread to most cotton - growing areas in Texas and caused an estimated $28 million in damage to cotton in 38 South Texas counties. Perry L. Adkisson took over the department's pink bollworm project in 1958 and immediately began a research program on the pest. By 1962,a highly successful chemical /cultural control I 1 I Spraying cattle for external parasites, 1950s 1— 4 ii- Angie— powered machine Jot spraying insecticides on small experimental plots of cotton, 1950s and 19605. program had been developed that prevented economic damage by the pink bollworm in Texas. The 1950s closed with the realization by departmental entomologists that environmental and resistance problems caused by heavy use of pesticides required a serious reassessment of insect control. There was also a general recognition that both basic and applied entomology were essential to the development of progressive teaching and research programs. The department was deficient in some critical areas, such as physiology, toxicology, and ecology that would be essential to development of alternate means of insect control and a modern teaching program. Plans were underway by the end of the decade to bolster these areas of need. Rachel Carson's 1962 book "Silent Spring" heightened the public's concern about the use of pesticides and their effects on the environment and focused broad attention on the subject. By the beginning of the 1960s, some of the research in the department was being redirected toward exploring insect control methods that were less dependent upon insecticides. As a result, faculty and staff members became increasingly involved in what was to become known as integrated pest management (IPM). The development of insect resistance and _ other pest problems, coupled with increases in enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate courses, required additional faculty and staff members. Forest entomology became a research and teaching area in the department for the first time. Entomologists trained in physiology and toxicology were appointed to conduct research and develop up-to- - date courses in their specialities.The addition of a faculty member expanded the veterinary/medical entomology program. Research on pests of cotton and various other commodities was also strengthened. New additions to the teaching and research faculty and staff during the decade included nine new on- campus faculty and four off- campus Experiment Station entomologists. A record number of five MA Price, lef4 and VA Little (early 1960s) in front of Biological Sciences Building, hone of the department from 1950 to 1977. Department of Entomology faculty with Experiment Station and Extension Service, USDA entomologists at College Station, 1961. front row, left to right RL Ridgway (USDA), AL Scales (USDA), P.L Adkisson, IC Gaines, HA Tumey, RL Hanna, AR /Gng DA Lindquist (USDA). Back row, left to right O.E. Shipp, VA Limb HI Reinhard, C.F. Garner, PC 146 /ker Jr, IN. Weaver, HR Burke. entomologists with a combined 207 years of service to the department retired in the 1960s, hence a "changing of the guard" was taking place. Extension activities were greatly increased in the 1960s by the addition of 12 new Extension entomologists stationed throughout the state. Area Extension entomologists were located at College Station, Denton, Lubbock, and Weslaco by 1963.A new position was added at Fort Stockton and another at Vernon in 1965, while Lubbock obtained its second Extension entomologist in 1969. Driving this large increase was the need for more entomologists in the field to analyze local, and often rapidly increasing, insect problems and to interact with growers and homeowners to provide up-to -date information on insect control. J.C. Gaines retired as department head in 1967, and Perry L Adkisson was appointed to that position. Insect problems were mushrooming in Texas and elsewhere, and entomologists were stretched to the limit trying to keep the pests under connol.The tobacco budworm had developed resistance to organophosphate insecticides by 1967, after having already become resistant to chlorinated hydrocarbons. This pest began causing massive destruction of cotton in South Texas and northern Mexico, and it became obvious that a new approach to its control was necessary to avert a disaster. Insect Collection (systematics) The departmental insect collection was begun by E.D. Sanderson during the period 1902 -1904. In the early days, separate collections were maintained by the Department of Entomology and the Division of Entomology. When these units were consolidated in 1947, the collections were combined, and H.J. Reinhard became curator. The collection was reorganized and expanded by Reinhard. H.R. Burke was appointed as curator in 1959, at which time the collection contained about 300,000 specimens. The collection continued to grow. It currently holds approximately 1.8 million specimens with geographic emphasis in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is the largest insect collection in the southwestern United States. J.D. Oswald assumed charge of the collection in 1996. The collection serves as a focal point of the systematics program in the department. This program has grown significantly in the last 20 years with the addition of faculty and staff. I I I Adkisson became a member of the FAO Panel of Experts on Integrated Pest Control in 1968, and it was through this association and subsequent alliances with other entomology departments that Texas A&M entomologists became heavily involved in the development and promotion of 1PM on state, national and international levels. Nearly thirty years later, as a result of their cooperative efforts, Adkisson and University of California entomologist Ray Smith became co- winners of the World Food Prize for their work promoting 1PM. 1 Advances were also being made in the department's academic programs. New courses were being added and old ones updated. The overall enrollment in the department also continued to increase. Between 1947 and 1967,a total of 218 bachelor's, 85 master's, and 46 doctoral degrees were awarded by the department. The total number of degrees granted during the 1960s (217) represented a significant increase over the previous decade (159). Conference on cotton insects at Torreon, Mexico, 1966. TAMU entomologists J.C. Gaines (third from left on from row) and P.I. Adkisson (fourth f rom left on front row). J.R. Brazzel, former member of department, first on second row. The departmental insect collection was built over its nearly 100 year history through the dedicated collecting of faculty, staff, and students, supplemented by generous donations by many other entomologists. The development and maintenance of the nearly 1.8 trillion specimen collection is labor — intensive, requiring the tedious pinning and labeling of approximately 65000 specimens each year. Many students have gained an intimate introduction to insect diversity while performing this task in the collection. l I i Adkisson, Perry L. (1958 -1993) Anderson, Neal H. (19641967) Archer, Tom L.(1977- present) Bay, Darrell E (1974present) Benedict, John H. (1977 -1999) Bernal, Julio (1998- present) Bilsing, Sherman W. (1913 -1952) Bottrell, Dale G (1967 -1975) Bowling, Clarence C. (1955 -1981) Braael, James R. (1958 -1962) Brook, Ted (1950-1954) Browning Harold W. (1981 -1988) Burke, Horace R. (1958-1994) Cate, James R. (1974-1990) Coates, Craig (1998-present) Coulson, Robert N. (1970- present) Crocker, Robert L. (1978-present) Daniels, Norris E. (1951 -1981) Dean, Herb A.(1946-1981) Dorough, Hendley W. (1963 -1967) Edelson, Jonathan V. (1982 -1989) Ehler, Les E. (1972-1973) Frankie, Gordon W. (1970-1976) Frisbie, Raymond E. (1972- present) Fuchs, Thomas W. (1977 -1979) Gaines, J. C. (1927 -1967) Gaylor, Mike J. (1975 -1977) Getzin, Louis W. (1958-1960) Gilstrap, Frank E.(1974-1977, l979- present) Gold, Roger E. (1989- present) Granovsky, Theodore A.(1978-1983) Guarino, Linda A. (1983- present) Adkisson, Perry L. (1968-1978) Allen, Charles T. (1981 -1996) Alniand, Lyndon K. (1966-1969) Barr, Charles (1989- present) Boring, Emory 8,111 (1965- present) Brewer, Beverly S. (1983 -1989) Cartwright, Bobby Q (1983 -1987) Clymer, Bill C. (1969 -1975) Cocke, Jesse, Jr. (1977 -1995) Cole, Charles L. (1970-1995) Davis, George T. (1953 -1956) Deer, James A. (1949 -1976) Drees, Bastiaan M. (1980-present) Frisbie, Raymond E. (1972- present) Fuchs, Thomas W. (1979- present) Fuller, Freeman M. (1953 -1959) Gaines, J.C. (1952 -1967) Garner, Connie E (19541962) Gouge, Dawn (1998-present) Gregg, Paul (1942 -1948) Green, L. Reed (1967 -1975) Anciso, Juan (1989- present) Anderson, Darwin J. (1980-1981) Armstrong, Amanda A. (1979 -1987) Armstrong, John Scott (1985 -1988) Bagley, William E. (1972 -1975) Baugh, Brant (1991- present) Berger, Robert S. (1954) Bethke, Trey (1999 - present) Biles, Stephen (1998-present) Blanton, Mike (1988-1990) 1 Entomology Faculty TAMIL /TAES on-campus and TAES off-campus,1950 -1999 Hanna, Ralph L. (1949 -1983) Harding, James A. (1958 - 1965,1969 -1981) Harris, Kerry F. (l976-present) Harris, Marvin K. (1972- present) Hayes, Timothy K. (1979 -1997) Heinz, Kevin M. (1994present) Hightower, Billie G. (1955 -1960) Jarvis, Donald L, Jr. (1987 -1998) Johnson, Kathleen J. R. (1980 -1985) Johnston, Horace 0(19E7-1939,1947-1952) Johnston, J. Spencer (1986-present) Keeley, Larry L. (l966-present) King, Donald R. (1953 -1963) Legaspi, Jesusa (1995 - present) Little,Van A. (1923 -1964) Liu, Tong -Xian (1997- present) Magee, William J. (1953 -1957) Martin, Dial F. (1939 -1957) Maxwell, Fowden G. (1979 -1993) Meagher, Robert L, Jr. (1989 -1994) Meola, Roger W (1973 -1999) Michels, Gerald J., Jr. (1981- present) Mistric, Jr., Walter J. (1950-1953) Mitchell, Forrest L. (1991- present) Olson, Jimmy K. (1971- present) Oswald, John D. (1995- present) Owen, Jr., Willis L. (1928-1966) Pate, Travis L. (1969 -1974) Payne, Thomas L. (1969 -1987) Pietrantonio, Patricia V. (1996-present) Plapp, Frederick W., Jr. (1969 -1994) Price, Manning A. (1940-1979) Entomology Faculty Texas Agricultural Extension Service,1950 -1999 (previous titles: Area Entomologist, Assistant /Associate Entomologist, Entomologist, Survey Entomologist) Gunter, Allen C. (1949 -1952) Haniman, Philip J. (1964-1974,19761996) Hawkins, James E. (1955 -1960) Hoelscher, Clifford E. (1970- present) Holloway, Rodney L. (1978-1982,1983 -1985) Howell, Harry (1998-present) Jackman, John A. (1976-present) King, Charles A., Jr. (1946-1949) Knutson, Allen E. (1991-present) Leser, James E. (1976-1991) Lewis, Kenneth R. (1971 -1976) Lopez, Genaro (1975 -1976) Maxwell, Fowden 0(1579-1996) Mcllveen, Garland, Jr. (1977 -1996) McIntyre, Robert C. (1972 -1975) McWhorter, G. Michael (1973 -1986) Meisch, Max V. (1963 -1966) Merchant, Michael (1989- present) Morrison, William P. (19751978,1982- present) Muegge, Mark A. (1997- present) Neeb, Charles W. (1965 -1983) Extension Agent — Integrated Pest Management (previous titles Associate County Agricultural Agent - Entomology; County Entomalogisr Extension Entomologist -Pest Management; Extension Agent - Entomology Pest Management) Bohmfalk, Gerry T. (1976-1980) Bradshaw, Roger D. (1972 -1974) Breitenbach, Fritz R. (1982 -1985) Brown, C. Mark (1986-1993) Burgess, Charles R. (1976-1981) Buxkem per, William E. (1972 -1985) Byrd, F. Ed (1976-1977) Carpenter, Guy E. (1949 -1951) Chedester, Louis (1990-1997) Cooper, John N. (19761985) Randolph, Neal M. (19541975) Reinert, James (1984- present) Reinhard, Henry J. (1916 -1960) Richardson, Ben H. (1947 -1957) Riherd, Paul T. (1939- 1942,1947 -1954) Riley, David G. (1990 -1996) Rogers, Charlie E. (1971 -1974) Rummel, Donald R. (1972- present) Sanders, Darryl P. (1967 -1970) Schaffner, Joseph C. (1963 -1999) Schuster, Michael F.1955- 1967,1978 -1989) Slosser, Jeffrey E. (1975- present) Smith, James W., Jr (1970- present) Sterling, Winfield L. (1962 -1994) Stone, Jay D. (1976-1986) Stone, Nick D. (19851988) Summers, Max D. (1977- present) Teel, Pete D. (1978-present) Teetes, George L. (1971- present) Thomas, Frank L. (19241954) Van Cleave, Horace W. (19641997) Vinson, S. Bradleigh (1969 - present) Walker, James Knox, Jr. (1953 -1993) Wand, Charles R. (1976) Way, Michael 0 (1982 - present) Weaver, James N. (1948-1965) Wene, George E (1947 -1957) Wharton, Robert A. (1981 - present) Wilson, Lloyd T. (1989- present) Wolfenbarger, Dan A. (1961 -1965) Woolley, James B. (1983- present) Newton, Weldon H. (1960 -1974) Owens, John M. (1980 -1982) Parker, Freddie W. (1966-1967) Parker, Roy D (l978-present) Patrick, Carl D. (1975 - present) Porter, Pat (1998-present) Randolph, Neal M. (1953 -1954) Reppert, Roy R. (1920 -1940) Ridgway, Richard L. (1960-1963) Robinson, James V. (1975- present) Rummel, Don R. (1963-1967,1969-1971) Sansone, Christopher G. (1996-present) Siddall, Cameron (1939 - 1942.19451946) Sparks, Alton (1988-present) Stewart, James W. (1973 -1995) Thomas, John G. (1957 - 1958,1960-1992) Thompson, Raymond G (1979 -1981) Troxclair, Noel N., Jr. (1997- present) Turney, H.A. (1956-1989) Wilson, Nick L. (1976-1979) Crenwelge, Keith (1989 -1994) Cronholm, Greg B. (1977- present) Crossland,Tonya (1996) Crumley, Clyde R. (l980-present) Curtis, Joel E. (19741976) Davis, Charlie S. (1958-1961) Davis, George T. (1951 -1953) Davis, Steve (1988-1990) Dobson, Allen C. (1980-1982) Doederlein,Tommy (1992 - present) continued on following page .. . I I I