A HISTORY OF ENTOMOLOGYIN MISSISSIPPI

1st Edition

A Collection of Historical Accounts

Edited and Published by the Historical Committee

1989

MISSISSIPPI ENTOMOLOGICALASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 5446Mississippi State, Ms 39762

All Rights Reserved

This book, including any part thereof, may not be reproduced by any means without thewritten consent of the publisher.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface ........................................................................................................................................................... iiiAcknowledgments..........................................................................................................................................ivEntomology Department at Mississippi State University .............................................................................1

Teaching....................................................................................................................................................1Research ....................................................................................................................................................2Department Heads ....................................................................................................................................2Faculty.......................................................................................................................................................2Highlights..................................................................................................................................................3Graduates...................................................................................................................................................5

Mississippi Entomological Museum..............................................................................................................9Entomology in the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service .................................................................11

Highlights................................................................................................................................................14Staff .........................................................................................................................................................15

The State Plant Board of Mississippi/Division of Plant Industry-MDAC..................................................16Establishment..........................................................................................................................................16Housing Facilities ...................................................................................................................................16Activities .................................................................................................................................................17Bee Inspection.........................................................................................................................................19Imported Fire Ant ...................................................................................................................................20White-fringed Beetle ..............................................................................................................................21Pesticides Program..................................................................................................................................21Pest Control Program..............................................................................................................................22Sweet Potato Weevil...............................................................................................................................24Sweet Potato Certification......................................................................................................................24Tomato Certification...............................................................................................................................25Nursery Inspection..................................................................................................................................25Pink Bollworm........................................................................................................................................26Argentine Ant..........................................................................................................................................27Gypsy Moth ............................................................................................................................................28Japanese Beetle .......................................................................................................................................28Personnel/Staff........................................................................................................................................29

Entomology at Delta State University..........................................................................................................31Entomology at Mississippi College..............................................................................................................31Entomology at the University of Southern Mississippi...............................................................................32

Courses and Faculty................................................................................................................................32Research ..................................................................................................................................................33Future Prospects......................................................................................................................................34

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ..............................................................................................34Boll Weevil Research Laboratory ................................................................................................................36Corn Insect Research Laboratory .................................................................................................................39Cotton Physiology and Genetics Research Laboratory ...............................................................................41

Cotton Insect Research Laboratory ..............................................................................................................41Imported Fire Ant Research Laboratory ..................................................................................................... 42Southern Field Crop Insect Management

Laboratory and Its Predecessors............................................................................................................ 44Southern Forest Experiment Station,

Forestry Sciences Laboratory,Wood Products Insect Research Project ............................................................................................... 47

Southern Forest Experiment Station,Southern Hardwoods Laboratory,

Southern Hardwood Insect-Disease Research..................................................................................... 49Narcotic Insect Research Unit ..................................................................................................................... 51Pecan Production Research Unit ..................................................................................................................52Southern Weed Science Laboratory. .......................................................................................................... 52USDA Soybean Production Research Unit................................................................................................. 54Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association........................................................................................... 56Mississippi Agricultural Chemicals Council .............................................................................................. 57Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association...................................................................................... 58Mississippi Beekeepers Association ........................................................................................................... 59Mississippi Entomological Association ...................................................................................................... 62

Early MEA Forerunner...........................................................................................................................62MEA Establishment................................................................................................................................63Annual Insect Control Conference.........................................................................................................63Newsletters..............................................................................................................................................64Emblem ...................................................................................................................................................64Legislative Activities ..............................................................................................................................644-H Entomology .....................................................................................................................................64Membership ............................................................................................................................................66Distinguished Service Award.................................................................................................................68Merit Award............................................................................................................................................71Scholarships ............................................................................................................................................73

Gulf Coast Mosquito Abatement District ................................................................................................... 74Mississippi Pest Control Association.......................................................................................................... 75Mississippians in the History of the Southeastern Branch,

Entomological Society of America ....................................................................................................... 77Impact of Mississippi Entomologists on the Annual Conference

on Cotton Insect Research and Control ................................................................................................ 85Insecticide Formulators and Packagers ........................................................................................................86Private Research Stations............................................................................................................................. 89History of Private Consulting in Mississippi .............................................................................................. 91Regulation of Pests and Quarantine Activities ............................................................................................95

Federal Laws...........................................................................................................................................95Mississippi Laws.....................................................................................................................................97

PrefacePreface

The history of entomology in Mississippi is a rich one. Guided by outstanding leaders and individuals,entomological efforts in Mississippi have endured challenges and problems to realize greataccomplishments in events, research, teaching, service, and professional functions. Realizing the need to document these strides, and recognize the important individuals in this great field of agriculture, the historical committee of the Mississippi Entomological Association (MEA)determined to publish accounts of the significant events of the numerous and various components ofentomology in Mississippi, past and present. The project began in 1986, with Harry R. Fulton, stateapiarist and pesticide registration specialist, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Division of Plant Industry, and Chairman of the of the MEA historical committee , spearheading workon the project. This publication, the result of the commmittee's diligent work, relates the evolution andthe achievements of the many programs, activities, research, and personalities that compriseMississippi's rich entomological legacy. The recollections of these pioneering entomologists will be preserved for future generations to ponderand consider as they make decisions that will better the field of entomology. We only pray that futuregenerations can add and preserve in writing their entomological acheivements in Mississippi.

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Acknowledgments

Much appreciation is expressed to the manypersons who contributed their time and talents tobring all the information together for publication. Many different fields of entomological expertiseare represented in these writings; scientific,educational, regulatory, industrial, private, andothers.

Historical Committee,Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation:Harry R. Fulton, Starkville MS:

chairman, 1986-88;co-chairman, 1989, co-author

James W. Smith, Starkville, MS:co-chairman, 1989; editorialsubcommittee; co-author

Edna Ruth Morgan, Starkville, MS:editorial subcommittee,co-author

David F. Young, Jr., Starkville, MS:editorial subcommittee,co-author

Clifton Arlie Wilson, Starkville, MS: Co-author

Charles R. Parencia, Leland, MS:Co-author

Limon C. Murphree, Starkville, MS:Co-author

Albert G. Bennett, Sr., Starkville, MS

Dial F. Martin, Leland, MS

Leon W. Hepner, Starkville, MS:Co-author

Edwin P. Lloyd, Starkville, MS:Co-author

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Other Co-authors:Jack K. Bailey, Stoneville, Ms.William A. Banks, Gainesville, Fl.Vernon Calcote, Stoneville, Ms.Ted B. Davich, Starkville, Ms.Frank M. Davis, Starkville, Ms.B. Michael Glancey, Gainesville, Fl.Benson L. Graves, Ackerman, Ms.Joe B. Hardy, Jackson, Ms.Aubrey F. Harris, Glen Allan, Ms.Thomas M. Harris, Jackson, Ms.James H. Haskins, Starkville, Ms.Fred G. Howell, Hattiesburg, Ms.Lavone Lambert, Stoneville, Ms.Randall G. Luttrell, Starkville, Ms.Joe K. Mauldin, Gulfport, Ms.Walter O. Miller, Leland, Ms.Johnny D. Ouzts, Cleveland, Ms.James D. Solomon, Stoneville, Ms.Neal R. Spencer, Stoneville, Ms.William P. Stark, Clinton, Ms.

Other contributors:Clarence H. Collison, Starkville Ms.Thomas Edwards, Clarksdale, Ms.Henry N. Pitre, Starkville, Ms.James Rawson, Wilmington, De.Mills Rogers, Cleveland, Ms.John Schneider, Starkville, Ms.

Editing:Nancy S. Williams, Starkville, Ms.

Text Printing:Division of Plant IndustryMississippi Department of Agriculture

and CommerceMississippi State University

Text Paper:U. S. Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research ServiceR. W. Harned Research LaboratoryBoll Weevil Research UnitMississippi State University

Monetary Donation:Progressive Farmer Network

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ENTOMOLOGY DEPARTMENTMISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

C.A. Wilson, L.W. Hepner, and R.G. Luttrell

Mississippi State, MS

Before 1910 Entomology and Zoology wereincluded as disciplines in the Department ofHorticulture at Mississippi A & M College (nowMississippi State University). Later the two werecombined to form a separate department in theCollege of Arts and Sciences. In 1962 theDepartment of Zoology was established in theCollege of Arts and Sciences, and the Departmentof Entomology was established in the College ofAgriculture and the Mississippi Agricultural andForestry Experiment Station (MAFES). In the nextnine years, the Department operated out of widelyseparated buildings but in 1971 moved to itspresent location in the Clay Lyle EntomologyComplex (CLEC). The construction of the Gast Boll Weevil RearingFacility near the CLEC in 1971 provided additionalsupport for research projects by EntomologyDepartment staff. Additionally, the USDA BollWeevil Research Laboratory was near the CLEC,providing excellent opportunities for researchprojects of graduate students. The MSUEntomology Department has adjunct professorsfrom the Mississippi Cooperative ExtensionService Entomology Department, as well as staff inthe USDA Boll Weevil Research Laboratory andForest Products Utilization Laboratory inStarkville, and USDA Southern Field Crop InsectManagement Laboratory and Hardwood InsectsLaboratory at the Delta Branch Experiment Stationat Stoneville.

Teaching

A few courses were taught before 1910. Thecurriculum gradually expanded from about 1910until 1940. During this period the first graduatecourses were offered leading to the Master ofScience degree. Strong emphasis was given totraining economic entomologists, and manygraduates served positions in various divisionsof the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In fact,L. O. Howard's book, History of Entomology,stated that Mississippi State University duringthis period had more entomologists in federalemployment than any other entomologydepartment in the United States.

Professor R. W. Harned is regarded by many asthe "Father of Entomology" in Mississippi andin the South. Because of his efforts, theMississippi Legislature in 1918 established theState Plant Board to protect against entry ofmigrant pests and to prevent spread of thoseestablished in the state. The State Plant Boardserved as a model for the creation of similaragencies in many other states.

Shortly after World War II (1946) the teachingstaff was overloaded with duties caused by rapidstudent growth. Thus the curriculum wasexpanded, additional staff

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positions were filled, and graduate teaching andresearch advanced to the point that the first Ph.Ddegree was awarded in 1962. To this date (1989),approximately 162 B.S., 24 M.A., 175 M.S., and112 Ph.D. degrees have been awarded inEntomology.

The move into the new Clay Lyle EntomologyComplex in 1971 greatly expanded the laboratoryand lecture space needed to conduct the expandedteaching program.

Research

In the late 1800's through the early 1900'sentomological research was primarily on basictaxonomy; however, some attention was given toproblems in economic entomology. After 1910 anduntil about 1965, research emphasis was on controlof economic insects pests. It was during this periodthat research on cotton insects was first stronglyemphasized. This pattern of research continueduntil World War II. During the war very littleresearch was conducted because of the deepinvolvement of the staff in the war. After World War II several new staff memberswere added to the department. Research wasinitiated in stored grain, vegetable, fruit, livestock,household, ornamental, forest and medical pests. Work on cotton insects continued. A. L. Hamner served a long and productive careerin the Department, where he conducted researchand directed the research of several students in theirmasters degree programs. He did pioneer researchon cotton insects. His cotton de-fruiting studies andhis work on rearing boll weevils on artificial dietsare especially important. He studied many insectproblems. He was always very careful andthorough with his research work.

When the Department of Entomology wastransferred to the College of Agriculture in1962, there was a rapid expansion of staffpositions and addition of adjunct professors. Basic research expanded to include discipline, aswell as commodity approach. This greatlyincreased the research activities in theDepartment. The staff, approximate dates ofinitial employment and departmentalresponsibilities since World War II are listed:

Department Heads Glen W. Herrick 1897-1908R. W. Harned 1908-1931Clay Lyle 1931-195lRoss E. Hutchins 1951-1962James R. Brazzel 1963-1968Fowden G. Maxwell 1968-1974Daniel L. Shankland 1976-1980T. J. Helms 1981-1987Clarence Collison 1989-Present

Acting Heads

C. Arlie Wilson 1975-1976,1980Randall G. Luttrell 1988

FacultyFaculty

1923 A. L. Hamner - Cotton, Pecan Insects1947 Henry B. Green - Field Crop Insects1948 C. Arlie Wilson - Diseases of Honey Bees1948 Ted Brook - Field Crop Insects1948 Melvin Burton - Field Crop Insects1950 R. E. Schuster

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1951 P. A. Caraway1952 Leslie L. Ellis - Cotton Insects1953 James G. Teer1954 William W. Neel - Livestock and Nut Tree Insects1958 Russ Andress - In charge of Museum1958 Leon Hepner - Leafhopper Taxonomy1959 Marion Laster - Field Crop

Insects1960 James D. Land - Toxicology1961 Johnnie Ouzts - Medical Entomology1962 James R. Brazzel - Head, Cotton Insects1963 Frank Bailey - Livestock Pests1965 Henry Pitre - Field Crop Insects1965 George Allen - Insect Pathology1965 Bradleigh Vinson - Insect Physiology1967 Robert Combs - Livestock Pests1967 Howard Chambers - Toxicology1968 Fowden G. Maxwell - Head,

Cotton Insects1968 Peter Sikorowski - Insect Pathology1969 Aubrey Harris - Cotton Insects1970 James L. Frazier - Insect

Physiology1972 Beverly R. Norment - Medical Entomology1974 Mike Schuster - Cotton Insects1974 T.Evan Nebeker - Forest Insects1975 Dan Shankland - Head, Cotton Insects1975 Edward Pieters - Cotton Insects1975 Greta Tyson - Electron

Microscope1977 David Hogg - Cotton Insects1979 John Schneider - Cotton Insects1980 Richard Brown - Insect Taxonomy1980 William Kitten (D.B.E.S.) Cotton

Insects1981 Tom Helms - Head, Cotton Insects1981 Richard Roush - Insect Genetics1981 Randy Luttrell - Cotton Insects1982 Gordon Andrews - Cotton Insects1983 Gerald Baker - Insect Morphology1983 Sonny Ramaswamy - Insect Physiology1985 Jack Reed - Insecticide Evaluations1988 James Mallett - Population Genetics

Department Highlights

Programs

Master of Agriculture in Pest ManagementDegree Program - Initiated in 1974 asmultidisciplinary curriculum involvingEntomology, Plant Pathology and WeedScience. Graduated 33 students between1974-1982.

Forest Entomology- W. W. "Bill" Neel was theentomologist assigned to work in forestentomology in 1970 in addition to other duties. His forestry related research focused onconiferous seed and cone insect problems andwas aimed primarily at control strategiesutilizing chemicals. Needs were great and resources inadequate forforestry needs, so Dr. Neel assembled a jobdescription and formal document describing theneed for a permanent forest entomologist (1971-1973). Approval was gained in 1973 and T.Evan Nebeker was hired in the spring of 1974. The original job description indicated thatEvan Nebeker would be working onregeneration insect problems; however, with anew focus on the southern pine beetle,

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Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm, the overall directionof the program was changed. The field of forestry was undergoing somedramatic changes during the mid-1970's. Toincrease the research efforts positions in forestpathology, forest economics, silviculture, and forestmanagement were established in the MississippiAgricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Persons filling these positions have workedtogether to provide an excellent interdisciplinaryteam effort. Forest entomological research has been based onthe theme of understanding the forest system insuch a way that pest management recommendationscould be based on sound ecological principles. Initial efforts concentrated on the southern pinebeetle and its associates; basic population estimates(sampling), developmental rates, predator/preyinteractions, and stand thinning along with theimpact of other forest management tactics. Suchstudies have involved other entomology facultymembers such as J. L. Frazier, and P. P.Sikorowski. Dr. Neel retired in June of 1985 which concludedinvestigations at MSU on chemicals for controllinginsects in pine seed orchards. With the establishment of an interdisciplinaryteam and the expansion of the MSU ForestryDepartment research efforts on the southern pinebeetle took on a new emphasis where the hostbecame a more important component. The impactof harvesting practices on the soil, tree rootingpatterns, growth patterns, and susceptibility to barkbeetle attack were recognized as importantapproaches to take. Current research is focused ongaining an understanding of the host defensivesystems, how they are modified, their heritabilitycharacteristics, and on the interactions between thebark beetle, its host, and its associatedmicroorganisms. Cooperative efforts have beengenerated with chemists, pathologists, treephysiologists, soils scientists, and geneticists. New

technologies to detect infestations, such asacoustics, are being investigated.

Heliothis Hybrid/Backcross Program- In 1968,Dr. Marion L. Laster, entomologist at the DeltaBranch Experiment Station of MAFES,discovered that interspecific hybridizationbetween female Heliothis subflexa, which feedprimarily on Physalis, groundcherry, and male H.virescens results in males that are sterile andfemales that produce sterile males whenbackcrossed to male H. virescens. Subsequentbackcrosses have an identical result. Dr. Lasterrecognized the potential of this phenomenon asthe basis of an autocidal control system: rearingand release of sterile-male-producing femalesshould reduce the fertility of wild-type femalesin the following generations. Numerous studies were done in the laboratory,in field cages, and in computer simulations toinvestigate the mechanism of the sterility,biological characteristics of hybrid/backcrossindividuals, and potential for suppression ofwild populations. Four major field studies were attempted. Thefirst involved the release of hybrid/backcrossindividuals in Puerto Rico during 1977 to studymating under natural conditions. The second,1979-1981, was an attempt to suppress the H.virescens population of St. Crois with high ratesof release. The third, 1981-1983, was designedas a mark/release/recapture experiment todetermine which release rates are necessary toachieve suppression of H. virescens in theMississippi Delta. Information obtained on themovement of

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H. virescens prompted investigations to determinelevels of movement among areas of irrigated cottonin southwest Arizona in 1985. Lack of funding hasreduced the level of research on thehybrid/backcross in recent years.

Awards

Marion Laster - First MississippiCorporation "Award of Excellence" Research

W. W. "Bill" Neel - First Mississippi Corporation"Award of Excellence" Research Award , 1978.

Henry Pitre - Mississippi State University AlumniAssociation Faculty Achievement Award forResearch, 1984.

Howard Chambers - Entomological Society ofAmerica, Southeastern Branch, DistinguishedAchievement Award for Teaching, 1984.

T. Evan Nebeker - First Mississippi Corporation"Award of Excellence" Research Award,1988.

Fowden Maxwell - J. Everett Busart MemorialAward, 1972. Entomological Society ofAmerica's highest award.

Outstanding Educator of America, 1973.

Universisty Fellow Mississippi StateUniversity, 1974-1976.

Gamma Sigma Delta DistinguishedAward, 1975

Entomology Department GraduatesMississippi State University

Name BS Stiles, C. F. 1911Cockerham, Kirby Lee 1914Bailey, John Wendell 1915Lyle, Clay 1917Young, Martin T. 1917Colmer, Robert P. 1920Ewing, Ky Pepper 1920Brannon, Charles H. 1921Chapman, Andrew J. 1922Hull, Frank M. 1922Ingram, Jessie W. 1922Young, Hiram C. 1922Douglass, Nelson Lee 1926Roney, James N. 1926Douglas, William A. 1928Bond, George L. 1929

Henderson, C. A. 1930Pate, Benjamin D. 1930Randolph, Josh 1930Tate, H. Douglas 1930Todd, Thomas G. 1930Breland, Osmond Philip 1931Henderson, T. F. 1931Majure, James Benton 1931Rainwater, Clyde F. 1931Rainwater, Homer T. 1931Simmons, Samuel W. 1931Caviness, Charles R. 1932McGarr, Rex 1932Stubblefield, Louis H. 1932Bennett, Albert G., Sr. 1933Smith, Keith Howell 1934Sylvester, Clyde W. 1934

Dale, Madison S., Sr. 1935Redd, Jabus C. 1936Carter, William M. 1938Conner, James T. 1938Fancher, Charles Clyde 1938Guice, O. T., Sr. 1938Wilson, Ernest W. 1938Applewhite, Kermet H. 1939Cochran, James H. 1939Crowson, David L. 1939Epps, James Milton 1939McVey, Eric A., Jr. 1939Owen, Woodrow O. 1939Richmond, Clyde A. 1939Vanderford, W. B. 1939Smith, James M., Sr. 1940Wilson, C. Arlie 1940

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Adams, Curtis H. 1941Clanton, Roy T., Sr. 1941Green, Henry B. 1941Hare, William H. 1941Adams, Paul K. 1942King, John R., Sr. 1943Scoggin, John K. 1943Strong, Rudolph G. 1946Day, Augustine 1947McWilliams, John G. 1947Cochran, William E. 1948Daughdrill, Billy H. 1948Elmore, Christopher M. 1948Graham, Andrew J. 1948Kilpatrick, John W. 1948Lochridge, John A. 1948Young, David F., Jr. 1948Bailey, James E. 1949Johnson, H. S., Jr. 1949Applewhite, Ray 1950Blocker, Morris Gray 1950Dunnam, James W. 1950Mitchell, E. Bruce 1950Batson, William N. 1951Campbell, William V. 1951Harris, Jessie M. 1951Andress, Calvin R. 1952Goza, Aaron W. 1952Shipp, O. Elmo 1952Wilson, Argie 1952Molpus, James E. 1953Land, James D. 1954Sparks, David H. 1954Webb, John S. 1954Arnett, William Harold 1955Graves, Jerry B. 1955Womack, Herbert 1955Bonner, Singleton S. 1956Gladney, Horace M. 1956Harris, James J. 1956Neal, Gene E. 1956Parham, Price H. 1956Robinson, Charles L. 1956Tynes, James S. 1956Webb, James K. 1956White, James F. 1956Adams, Milton D. 1957Chiles, James W. 1957Martindale, James D. 1957Nation, James L. 1957Tingle, Milton F. 1957Ainsworth, Joseph H. 1958

Brown, Joe Jack 1958Buttram, James Ross 1958Coleman, Leslie F. 1958Mitchell, Bob Dwain 1958Mitchell, Henry C. 1958Mitchell, Larry B. 1958Nicaise, Randolph W. 1958Page, Frank Critz, Jr. 1958Rives, Aaron B. 1958Stephens, Wilburn L. 1958Stone, Clyde Michael 1958Kimbrough, James W. 1959Pitts, Charles W., Jr. 1959Shuford, James W. 1959Knapp, Joseph L., Jr. 1960Davis, Frank M. 1961Vickers, David H. 1961Buford, William T. 1962Falls, William A. 1962Harris, J. Patrick 1962Haynes, Jack W. 1962McKibben, Gerald 1962Meeks, Roy A., Jr. 1962Smallwood, Paul R. 1962Tate, Jon D. 1962Thomas, Gustave D.,IV 1962Tingle, Frederic Carley 1962Wiygul, Glenn 1962Bell, Marion R. 1963Boone, Charles O. 1963Dyess, Edwin G. 1963Harlan, Don 1963Humphreys, James B. 1963James, Billy Frank 1963Jones, Richard L. 1963Mauldin, Joe K. 1963Oakes, James F. 1963Young, Seth Y., III 1963Harris, Frank A. 1964Lewis, W. Joe 1964Lowery, Houston F., Jr. 1964Nichols, Franklin 1964Skelton, Emery D. 1964Thaxton, James P., Jr. 1964Barefoot, Howard L. 1965Bouchard, Dennis F. 1965Burney, John F. 1965Chesnut, Thomas L. 1965Smith, James Winfred 1965Boyd, Farrell J., Jr. 1966Bradford, William D., Jr. 1966Collins, Homer L., Jr. 1966

Dickinson, Ronald I. 1966Lee, Horace W. 1966Leeper, Ray O., III 1966Neely, Samuel W. 1966Norris, Ted W. 1966Palmer, Charles P. 1966Smith, James W., Jr. 1966Black, E. Russell, Jr. 1967Crosby, Cary B. 1967Humber, James F., III 1967Moody, J. Reynard 1967Parks, Enoch M., III 1967Johnson, William L. 1968Makamson, Thomas L. 1968Watson, H. Clifton 1968Williams, Michael R. 1968Bell, Charles R. 1969Frazier, A.E. 1969Frazier, Albert L., Jr. 1969Gunter, James A. 1969Livingston, James M. 1969Ray, Henry W., Jr. 1969Simmons, Cecil L. 1969Stewart, Becky A. 1969Adams, Jack P., Jr. 1970Alexander, Stephen D. 1970Barnett, James D. 1970Bell, Charles S. 1970Cain, Stephen N. 1970Cook, Joe R. 1970Cummins, Allen E. 1970Davis, Cecil W., Jr. 1970Etheridge, Jimmy B. 1970Gaskin, Roy C. 1970Gates, Jeptha M. 1970Haskins, James R. 1970Hines, Billy M. 1970Laseter, Michael W. 1970Maxcy, Frank B. 1970McCormick, Eddie O. 1970Moore, Stephen T. 1970Robinson, Danny W. 1970Rose, Fred W. 1970Bryson, James O. 1971Cannon, Charles E. 1971Dalton, Robert E., II 1971Westmark, Ronald A. 1971Fulton, Harry 1972Peeples, Michael L. 1972Beach, William 1973Clanton, Roy T., Jr. 1973Nichols, Samuel E. 1973

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Skelton, Louie M. 1973Worley, John 1973Boykin, James C. 1974Crawford, J. W., III 1974Foresman, David M. 1974Rutland, Donald Hayes 1974Simpson, James Jr. 1974Furr, Randle E., Jr. 1975Cauthen, Melton D. 1976Eckler, Scott C. 1976Gammill, Wilson J. 1976Kinard, Hugh C. 1977Layton, M. Blake., Jr. 1977McKissack, Billy S. 1977Morgan, David R. 1977Rabby, John C. 1977Wilson, Galen B. 1977Zummo, Guy R. 1977Bowles, Jon S. 1978Frasier, Larry E. 1978Gammill, John W. 1978Hale, Mark S. 1978Hooper, Frederick L. 1978Posey, W. Jeff 1978Smith, Bruce D. A. 1978Weed, Clifton H. 1978Welch, John M., Jr. 1978Bishop, Joseph R. 1979Cordell, Larry K. 1979Fancher, Wayne B., Jr. 1979Millwood, John T. 1979Mink, Billy E., Jr. 1979Skinner, David K. 1979Thomas, W. Mack 1979Mitchell, Henry R. 1980Short, David S. 1980Wasser, William 1980Whitehead, James R. 1980Boykin, Gladis D., III 1981Crafton, Glenn E. 1981Hankins, David M. 1981Morgan, Robert C., Jr. 1981North, Robert J. 1981Smith, Arthur D., Jr. 1981Winters, Stephen R. 1981Jeffcoat, David A. 1982Polk, Mark Christopher 1982Richards, Timothy K. 1982Wilson, Brian S. 1982Wofford, J. Thomas 1982Castro, Marco 1983Smith, David Hilton 1983

Winstead, Rodney W. 1983Baucum, Leslie 1984Heering, David C. 1984Russell, Wiley R. 1984Trabanino, Carlos R. 1984Pongetti, James M. 1985Riley, Dennis G. 1985Allen, Kevin W. 1986Brown, Brenda Booth 1986MacDonald, Steven L. 1986Schuster, Anthony 1986Davis, Michael Todd 1987Ledlow, Michael 1987MacDonald, John R. 1990

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Name MS Ludlow, Clara 1901Stockard, C. R. 1902Blumenfeld, Simon F. 1910Stafford, Ethelbert W. 1914Bailey, John Wendell 1917Arnold George F. 1918Allen, Harry W. 1923Langston, James M. 1925Snapp, Oliver I. 1925Roney, James N. 1927Barnes, Olus L. 1928Hutchins, Ross E. 1930Haug, Gordon W. 1931Lyle, Clay 1931Ward, James W. 1931Bynum, E. K. 1932Flint, Robert N. 1932Ingram, Jessie W. 1932Majure, James Benton 1932Todd, Thomas G. 1932Hutchins, Annie 1933Douglas, William A. 1934Carter, William M. 1939Coleman, Sidney H. 1939Guice, O. T., Sr. 1939Moran, Earl Joseph 1939Wilson, Ernest W. 1939Cochran, James H. 1941Epps, James Milton 1941Redd, Jabus C. 1944Murphree, Limon C. 1947Fortune, Irma A. 1948Strong, Rudolph G. 1948Cochran, William E. 1949Faulkner, Lloyd R. 1949Graham, Andrew J. 1949Kilpatrick, John W. 1949Young, David F., Jr. 1949Daughdrill, Billy H. 1950Dragovick, Alexander 1950Henley, Felix T. 1950King, Charles E. 1950Lochridge, John A. 1950Bailey, James E. 1951Freeman, Herman 1951Furr, Randle E., Sr. 1951Hunsucker, Carl L. 1951McCoy, Kenneth E. 1951Mitchell, E. Bruce 1951Byrd, Felton 1952

Campbell, William V. 1952Day, Augustine 1952Harris, Jessie M. 1952King, John R., Sr. 1952Morgan, Kenneth C. 1952Richey, Thomas M. 1952Ritchie, Thomas M. 1952Robertson, Bertram S. 1952Sanchez, Louis O. 1952Andress, Calvin R. 1953Burton, Melvin F. 1953Edwards, Thomas H. 1954Rawson, James W. 1954Rogers, Mills L. 1954Sims, R. Douglas 1954Wilson, Argie 1954Applewhite, Ray 1955Molpus, James E. 1955Palmer, James 1955Peets, Norman D., Jr. 1955Sparks, David H. 1955Stokes, Virgil C. 1955Wasser, Chester C., Jr. 1955Webb, John S. 1955Goza, Aaron W. 1956Miller, Walter O. 1956Rea, James M. 1956Smith, Thelma 1956Smith, Virgil K., Jr. 1956Applewhite, Carroll D. 1957Boren, Roger B. 1957Dunnam, James W. 1957Womack, Herbert 1957Goodman, Oscar G. 1958Graves, Jerry B. 1958Mason, George L. 1958Shipp, O. Elmo 1958Bancroft, Harold R. 1959Bennett, Albert G., Sr. 1959Buttram, James Ross 1959Doler, James L. 1959Harris, James J. 1959Land, James D. 1959McIntire, William S. 1959Rives, Aaron B. 1959Ouzts, Johnny D. 1961Watkins, William C., Jr. 1961Moore, Bobby 1962Tynes, James S. 1962Boyd, Claude E. 1963Davis, Frank M. 1963

Haynes, Jack W. 1963Vinson, S. Bradleigh 1963Harris J. Patrick 1964Meeks, Roy A., Jr. 1964Thomas, G. D., IV 1964Tingle, Frederic C. 1964Vickers, David H. 1964Wiygul, Glenn 1964Adair,H. Marcus 1965Bailey, Jack C. 1965Boone, Charles O. 1965Harris, Frank A. 1965Howell, Gordon S. 1965Jones, Richard L. 1965Lewis, W. Joe 1965Mauldin, Joe K. 1965Oliver, Billy F. 1965Skelton, Emery D. 1965Vardell, Henry H. 1965Buford, William T. 1966Chesnut, Thomas L. 1966Ganyard, Milton C., Jr. 1966Grimes, Scottie L. 1966James, Billy Frank 1966Jao, Lien-Tsai 1966Kincade, Robert T. 1966Peden, Walter L. 1966Richey, Hilton M. 1966Tumlinson, J. H., III 1966Walker, Alton I. 1966Barefoot, Howard L. 1967Barry, Robert M. 1967Bouchard, Dennis F. 1967Bradford, W. D., Jr. 1967Clay, Bobby F. 1967Gregory, Barry G. 1967Hoelscher, Clifford E. 1967Holder, David G. 1967Hudspeth, William N. 1967Leeper, Ray O., III 1967Mitchell, Henry C. 1967Mitchell, Larry B. 1967Nichols, Franklin 1967Redmond, Kenneth 1967Shirar, Charles R., III 1967Thompson, Jimmy L. 1967Bell, Marion R. 1968Boling, Johnny C. 1968Boyd, Farrell J., Jr. 1968Collins, Homer L., Jr. 1968Dickinson, Ronald I. 1968

9

Hao, Grace Tan-Fang 1968Humber, James F., III 1968Londono, Ruby 1968McGovern, William L. 1968Peach, Michael J., III 1968Polles, Sammy G. 1968Steele, Charles E., Jr. 1968Black, E. Russell, Jr. 1969Coakley, Jerry M. 1969Davis, L. B. 1969Fabacher, David L. 1969Guillot, Frank S. 1969Harrison, Gerald 1969Ho, Kai-Kuang 1969Law, Paul K. 1969Moody, Dwight S. 1969Moody, J. Reynard 1969Norton, William N., Jr. 1969Wang, Jung San 1969Watson, H. Clifton 1969Williams, Michael R. 1969Chamkrachang, Prasert 1970Coley, Jack D. 1970Glover, Dorwayne, Jr. 1970Hughes, Franklin F. 1970Jarratt, James H. 1970Johnson, William L. 1970Laonipon, Visit 1970Scott, William P. 1970Clark, William J. 1971Gates, Jeptha M. 1971Haskins, James R. 1971Maxcy, Frank B. 1971McCoy, John R. 1971Moore, Charles A. 1971Patel, Vishnubhai C. 1971Ray, Henry W., Jr. 1971Baughman, Odie M., Jr. 1972Cain, Stephen N. 1972Hines, Billy M. 1972Latson, Larry N. 1972Lindig, Oliver H. 1972Moore, Stephen T. 1972Simmons, Cecil L. 1972Alexander, Stephen D. 1973Barbosa, Sebastiao 1973Bryson, James O. 1973Hillhouse, Thomas L. 1973Roach, Edwin R. 1973Roth, James P. 1973Smith, Charles M. 1973Sri-Arunotai, Surarit 1973

Townsend, Joe R., Jr. 1973Bryson, Charles T. 1974Fulton, Harry 1974Hormchan, Praparat 1974Jech, Larry E. 1974Sorepirojn, Utumporn 1974Watkins, Robert M. 1974Anderson, Ronald E. 1975Gray, Ben 1975Hatfield, Larry D. 1975Miles, Levenia R. 1975Sindhusake, Chalerm 1975Watts, Klois J. 1975Donahoe, Michael C. 1976Dyess, Edwin G. 1976Fisher, William R. 1976Halford, William 1976Jones, David C. 1976Kitten, William F. 1976McDaniel, Sidney G. 1976Pair, Sammy D. 1976Snodgrass, Gordon L. 1976Thead, Larry G. 1976Urrelo, Rafael 1976Wigle, Charles D. 1976Bertsch, Marvin L. 1977Jong, Yaw-Shong 1977Lambert, W. E., Jr. 1977Mizell, Russell F., Jr. 1977Purser, Geoffrey C. 1977Rhodes, Alvin R. 1977Bleicher, Ervino 1978Boykin, James C. 1978Gammill, Wilson J. 1978Kinard, Hugh C. 1978Valerio, Jose R. 1978Carpenter, Terry L. 1979Ferreira, Joana M. S. 1979Hall, Peter Keith 1979Nause, Charles L., Jr. 1979Scanlan, S. M., Sister 1979Hutchinson, William D. 1980Willers, Jeffrey L. 1980Bloomquist, Jeffrey R. 1981Elmore, Christopher M. 1981Mitchell, Henry R. 1981Beardmore, Richard A. 1982Bong, C. F. Joseph 1982Miller, Chris E. 1982Nashnosh, Ibrahim M. 1982Stone, Terry B. 1982Eroles-Harkins, Lualhati 1983

Hutchins, Scott H. 1983Conley, James M. 1984Ma, Wai Keung 1984-85Ng, Sen-Seong 1984Whitehead, James R. 1984Wilson, Brian S. 1984Castro, Marco 1985Kaomini, Mien 1985Porter, R. Patrick 1985Winstead, Rodney W. 1985Wofford, J. Thomas 1985Chan, Wai Pang 1987Lee, Susanna Sau-tuen 1987Mink, Jeffrey 1987Tonhasca, Athayde 1987Cho, Soo Won 1987French, Ned M. 1988Videlia, Guillermo w. 1989

10

Name Year-PhDBancroft, Harold R. 1962Ouzts, Johnny D. 1963Snow, James W., Jr. 1964Tynes, James S. 1964Adams, Curtis H. 1965Davis, Frank M. 1965Knapp, Joseph L., Jr. 1965Vinson, S. Bradleigh 1965Young, David F., Jr. 1965Brook, Ted S. 1966Khan, Azzizar R. 1966Laster, Marion L. 1966Pate, Travis L. 1966Allen, George 1967Bailey, Jack C. 1967Combs, Robert L., Jr. 1967Gilliland, Floyd R., Jr. 1967Ledbetter, Roy J. 1967Parrott, William L. 1967Awad, Toson M. 1968Harris, Frank A. 1968Lewis, W. Joe 1968Oliver, Billy F. 1968Chesnut, Thomas L. 1969Dinkins, Reed L. 1969Norment, Beverly R. 1969Ricks, Beverly 1969Adair, H. Marcus 1970Barras, Donald J. 1970Boling, Johnny C. 1970Brewer, F. Douglas 1970Green, Henry B. 1970Hays, Donald B. 1970Hoelscher, Clifford E. 1970Kincade, Robert T. 1970Patrick, Charles R. 1970Polles, Sammy G. 1970Shaunak, Krishan K. 1970Timmons, Frank K. 1970Bhirud, K. M. 1971Harris, J. Patrick 1971Mitchell, E. Bruce 1971Mitchell, Henry C. 1971Sartor, Clyde F., Jr. 1971Schuster, Michael F. 1971Solomon, James D. 1971Vitelli, Mario 1971Andrews, Gordon L. 1972Coakley, Jerry M. 1972

Coakley, Toni P. 1972Fabacher, David L. 1972Hamer, Jimmy L. 1972Head, Robert B. 1972Jarratt, James H. 1972Moody, J. Reynard 1972Black, E. Russell, Jr. 1973Henson, Rodger D. 1973Khan, Mir A. A. 1973Barbosa, Sebastiao 1974Broome, Joe R. 1974Clark, William J. 1974Eskafi, Fred M. 1974Jones, Flernoy G. 1974Latson, Larry N. 1974Moore, Charles A. 1974Bell, Marion R. 1975Galindo-Toro, Dario 1975Leggett, Joseph E. 1975Nichols, Philip R. 1975Nicholson, W. F., Jr. 1975Robinson, James V. 1975Simmons, Cecil L. 1975Hillhouse, Thomas L. 1976Naresh, Jagdish S. 1976Poole, Michael A. 1976Smith, Charles M. 1976Calderon, Mario C. 1977Charoenying, Sawarng 1977Dzuik, Larry J. 1977Glover, Dorwayne, Jr. 1977Hormchan, Praparat 1977Lambert, Lavone 1977Mohamed, Abdul K. A. 1977Foil, Lane 1978MacGown, Matthew W. 1978Cosenza, Gilson W. 1979Hatfield, Larry D. 1979Kitten, William F. 1979Pendergrass, Jimmy E. 1979Snodgrass, Gordon L. 1979Anderson, Ronald E. 1980Mizell, Russell F., Jr. 1980Mullins, J. Walton 1980Ave', Dirk A. 1981Burkett, Gerald R. 1981White, William H. 1981Bird, T. Gary 1982Farlow, Robert A. 1982Thomas, Billy R., Jr. 1982Belcher, Dennis W. 1983Ramalho, Francisco de S. 1983

Thead, Larry G. 1983Ali, Said M. 1984Chandrapatya,

Angsumarn 1984Goddard, Jerome

(Captain) 1984Mulrooney, Joseph E. 1984Thomas, W. Mack 1985Seward, Ronnie W. 1986Willers, Jeffrey L. 1986Wiygul, Glenn 1986Adamski, David 1987O'Leary, Patricia F. 1988Halford, William T. 1987Ng, Sen Seong 1988Ali, Abbas 1989Ward, Kenneth E. 1989Felland, Carl M. 1989Khokhar, Malik S.M. 1989

Name Ms-AgHarnan, Miguel 1972McCarty, Robert 1972Sonepirojn, Utumporn 1974Edwards, Michael W. 1975Craig, Charlie 1976Wilson, Gary 1976Poole, Tim 1977Mulrooney, Joseph E. 1978Cannon, Chas. E (Gene) 1979Rabby, John C. 1979Donahue, Harold 1980Molpus, John 1980Pitts, Dan 1980Dabbs, Dudley 1981King, Virgil A., III 1981North, Robert J. 1982Porterfield, C. Dunk 1982Skinner, David K. 1982Smith, Arthur D., Jr. 1982Wasser, William 1982Weatherly, Robert Loyd 1983Winters, Stephen R. 1983Corban, Kevin 1985Phelps, Jay 1985

11

Graduates WithIncompleteInformationBell, William A.Betts, Johnnie E.Brock, W. CarltonBurnham, Roy W.Caylor, John R.Davis, Robert IraFaulk, Alfred W.Few, W. C.Gorrell, Richard M.Hammond, Abner N.Henry, James R.James, U. E.Johnston, H. G.WestMacon, J. W.Moss, Billy G.Pearson, Wm. G.Reed, W. D.Roberson,James E.Shannon, W. R.Shappley, N. P.Tate, John R.Taylor, Horton G.Thomas, John H.West, Willie Jobe

Mississippi EntomologicalMuseum

Dr. Leon HepnerStarkville, Ms.

The insect museum, as such, was begun in 1918when the Mississippi State Plant Board wasestablished. Before then research at MississippiState was primarily on taxonomy and biology. Many specimens were collected and sent tospecialists. H. E. Weed sent thousands ofspecimens in the 1890's. Prominent workers in theearly years of the museum were Henry Dietrick, R.W. Harned, Gladys Hoke, J. M. Langston, E. W.Stafford, F. W. Benjamin and M. R. Smith. J. M.Langston was curator of the museum in its early

years. Many specimens included in thecollection were sent in to be identified andothers were studied by taxonomists. In WorldWar II fumigants were not always available, andmany specimens were lost to dermestids. In1958 Langston retired, and "Russ" Andress became curator of the museum on a part timebasis and was followed a few years later byJohn D. Ouzts. During all this time the museumwas under the State Plant Board jurisdiction. In1972 the museum was placed under the direction

12

of the MSU Entomology Department when itmoved into its new building, but no curator wasnamed. With the dedicated service of Leon W.Hepner, specimens were maintained and preservedfrom dermestid attack until 1980, when Hepnerretired. In 1979 William H. (Bill) Cross headed a17 member committee to develop a proposal for aMississippi Entomological Museum. In 1980 awide base of support for the museum was evident. The Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM)became a reality in 1980, and Richard L. Brownwas employed as director. Under Bill Cross'sdirection all insect specimens housed at the USDABoll Weevil Laboratory were transferred to themuseum. It was located in the MSU EntomologyDepartment, Clay Lyle Entomology Complex andnow occupies more than 3500 square feet. Itincludes the State Plant Board Collection,Mississippi State University Department ofEntomology Collection, USDA-ARS Cotton InsectCollection, and private collections of William H.Cross, Charles Bryson, and John McCoy. TheMEM includes a research collection, library,historical archives, the Ross Hutchins photographcollection, and public displays. The researchcollection now contains more than 575,000specimens, including over 35,000 vials and 9,000slides, and emphasizes the fauna of SE UnitedStates and Neotropics. The MEM includes pastcollections, beginning in the late 1800's, of H. E.Weed, Henry Dietrich, J. M. Langston, R. W.Harned, Gladys Hoke-Lobdell, E. W. Stafford, M.R. Smith, and F. H. Benjamin. The collections areespecially strong in Cicadellidae, Coccoidea, andholometabolous orders. Recent collecting trips ofcertain entomologists have added substantial material from Central and South America, theSeychelles, New Caledonia, and Fiji. TheMacDonald Collection, emphasizing Lepidopteraof Panama, is housed in the MEM. The MEM isactive in exchanges and loans, and more than 140loans have been made since 1981. The museum

sponsors the annual William H. CrossExpedition to localities outside Mississippi withcollectors and an honorary expeditionleader/visiting specialist selected from interestedapplicants and nominees. The staff and residentassociates include Richard L. Brown, Director(Tortricidae), Terence Schiefer, curator(Coleoptera), Matthew MacGown, associatecurator (Hymenoptera), Leon Hepner, curatoremeritus (Cicadellidae), Gerald Baker, researchassociate (Acarina, Morphology), Larry Corpus,research associate (Dolichopodidae), MichaelEllsbury, research associate (insects on legumes,Lepidoptera), and John MacDonald, researchassociate (Tabanidae, Lepidoptera).

13

ENTOMOLOGY IN THE MISSISSIPPICOOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

David F. Young, Jr.Starkville, MS

The land grant colleges had been established formore than 50 years and state Experiment Stations atthese colleges more than 25 years when theCooperative Extension Law was enacted in 1914. For years the agricultural colleges and federal andstate departments of agriculture had issuedpublications and reports on agricultural matters,sending members of their staffs to lecture tofarmers' institutes, and sending the press advice forfarmers. Much good had been accomplished, yetagriculture was depressed and much of the newerknowledge found application on only a limitednumber of farms. It was to help remedy thissituation that the Extension was organized. Fourteen years after the Extension was organizedthere were 40 Extension entomologists in thenation. Mississippi did not have an ExtensionEntomology Department until 31 years after theExtension Service was organized. In 1945, when the Mississippi ExtensionEntomology Department was established, theExtension entomologist was a liaison betweensubject matters, departments of the agriculturalcolleges, and the county Extension agents. Extension entomologists brought informationtogether from the state agricultural college, thefederal department of agriculture, and likeinstitutions for the Extension county agents to uselocally. Extension entomologists continue tosimplify complicated results of research so farmersmay understand and apply them. Extensionentomologists in the early days were more involvedin the biology and control of all insects causing

economic damage to agricultural crops,livestock, and structures, so as to improveeconomy. Thus, these pioneering entomologistswere often referred to as "economicentomologists." The Entomology Department, MississippiCooperative Extension Service, recognized asone of the most efficient nationwide, had itsbeginning in 1945, when L. C. Murphree wasemployed as the first full-time Extensionentomologist. Prior to the formal establishmentof the Extension Entomology Department in1945, Clay Lyle, head of the Entomology andZoology Department at that time, demonstratedthe need for an Extension EntomologyDepartment by serving without pay for twoyears as a part-time Extension entomologist. Early Extension economic entomologists, suchas L. C. Murphree, A. G. Bennett and DavidYoung, were knowledgeable in the biology andcontrol of all insects causing economic damageto agricultural crops, livestock, and structures. L. C. Murphree left Extension in 1952, when heaccepted a position with the Coahoma ChemicalCo. of Clarksdale, Mississippi. A. G. Bennetthad been employed six months earlier in 1952,as Murphree's assistant, and succeededMurphree as head of the Extension EntomologyDepartment. David F. Young, Jr. was employed as anassistant Extension entomologist in 1955,making two entomologists available for thestate. There were no additions to personnel until

14

Roy Meeks was employed in 1965. He worked forabout eight months and left for the StonevillePedigree Seed Co. at Leland, Mississippi. James H.Cochran was appointed to this position in 1967,remaining in it until his retirement in 1979. A. G.Bennett retired in 1970, and Young became thenew head of the Extension EntomologyDepartment. Under Young's direction theDepartment expanded to include elevenprofessionals, ten with Ph.D. degrees and one witha Masters degree. By 1980 the staff with supportpersonnel numbered thirty five. All of the newpersonnel were highly trained and experienced andeach brought necessary specialized skills to theExtension Service as the department moved intomany new pest management programs. All newprograms were usually started with farmers inseveral counties and expanded until most werestatewide in scope. The Safe and Proper Use ofPesticides Program in 1965 and the PesticideApplicator Training Program in 1978 were initiatedstatewide. The area pest management concept withExtension entomologists being located in all fourExtension districts in Mississippi wasrecommended and implemented in 1976. Fourentomologists were employed, one for eachExtension district: Robert Head, Northeast District;Roy Reid, Northwest District; Pat Harris, SoutheastDistrict; and Farrell Boyd, Southwest District.Their principal duties were to develop pestmanagement programs for farmers that proved tobe highly effective. A number of states tried toduplicate this approach. The concept permittedcounty agents and farmers to have direct access tothe area entomologists and their technologicalskills. Throughout the history of Extension entomologythe greatest emphasis was on cotton insect pests. This was primarily because of the economicimportance of this crop in Mississippi, which formany years was produced on 1.5 to 2 million acres

by more than 100,000 cotton producers. Cottoninsect control has always been a complex matterfor farmers, who have demanded a lot ofattention from the Extension Service. AsExtension shifted toward a pest managementconcept in the late 1960's and the 1970's, it wasable to help agricultural consultants becomeestablished in working with cotton producers. The reliance of the pest management concept ongood scouting techniques helped to make thispossible. A survey in 1985-86 showed that 97.3% of allcotton in Mississippi was scouted and under pestmanagement programs. This shift to pestmanagement greatly reduced the number ofinsecticide applications used per acre from 16 to22 to 8 or 9 applications. Insecticides for thiscrop dropped from 41 million pounds used in1972 to 18 million pounds in 1978. Thisreduction occurred before the use of pyrethroidsand was primarily because of the effectivenessof pest management programs. Insecticideusage leveled off to around 6 million poundsannually, on approximately 1 million acres ofcotton, grown by about 3700 farmers. Extension Entomology's direct tie to researchhas been a major strength. The Department'seffectiveness has also been enhanced by its goodworking relationship with agriculturalconsultants, commercial entomologists,regulatory agencies and other elements of theagricultural sector. The Extension EntomologyDepartment helped plan and implement two ofthe largest entomological programs everundertaken in this nation cooperatively withAnimal Plant Health Inspection Service andAgricultural Research Service of the U. S.Department of Agriculture. To a large extentthis was due to its track record in successfullydeveloping large-scale pest managementprograms for farmers. The first major programwas the 1971-73 South Mississippi Pilot Boll

15

Weevil Eradication Experiment, which originallycovered 37 south Mississippi counties and parts ofAlabama and Louisiana. Fifteen agencies in thethree states played a role in this $5 million project. The second program in 1978-80 was the OptimumPest Management Trial in Panola and Pontotoccounties that ran concurrently with the Boll WeevilEradication Trial in North Carolina and wascompared with it as an alternative approach to bollweevil control. David Young and H. C. Mitchell were theprincipal Extension entomologists involved in thesouth Mississippi program, with Gordon Andrews,Ron Seward, Clyde Sartor and Bob Head playingleading roles in the Optimum Pest ManagementTrial in Panola and Pontotoc counties. Historically Extension entomological meetings ofmajor importance were designed to bring advancedtechnology to farmers, county agents, consultants,insecticide dealers, commercial entomologists, pestcontrol workers, and representatives of otheragricultural groups. The largest of these meetingshas been the annual Insect Control Conference,jointly sponsored by MEA and Extension since1955. Three other meetings of importance havebeen pest management workshops held annually atGreenwood, Jackson, and Mississippi StateUniversity. These meetings have drawn heavilyfrom state and federal researchers, industry,Extension, and other groups for speakers. Six toeight cotton scout training meetings have been heldannually for agricultural consultants and fieldscouts. Many other pest management scout schoolshave been held annually in individual counties forExtension organized pest management programsfor cotton and soybean farmers. 4-H club members who choose entomology as aproject have numbered in the thousands over theyears. In the late 1950's and 1960's, the annualenrollment average was near 6,000, nearly onesixth of all 4-H entomology students enrollednationwide. Mississippi has had many national 4-H

entomology winners. Many of these winners andothers have entered MSU, majoring inentomology. Through the National Science FoundationVisitation Program and the 4-H program, theMSU Entomology Department attained itsgreatest period of student growth in the 1960's. David Young retired in 1983, and Pat Harrisbecame department head. Harris remained inthis position until his transfer to his former areapest management position at Decatur in 1986. With the transfer of Harris, the ExtensionEntomology Department was combined with thePlant Pathology Department. William Moore,Extension Plant Pathology leader, began servingas head of the combined departments. Fundsthat had been secured by the ExtensionEntomology Department in 1965 had been usedto hire Moore and to create the Plant PathologyDepartment. Since then additional fundssecured through the Extension EntomologyDepartment's efforts have been used to hireother pathologists and to help support andmaintain the Plant Pathology Department.

16

Highlights Many Extension entomology programs were addedduring Dr. Young's tenure as department head. Theseprograms have played a key role in assisting our farmersin coping with their entomological problems. They wereconducted by the Extension staff at MSU and the area pestmanagement specialists in cooperation with countyExtension personnel and their farmers. Many of theseprograms would not have been successful without thecooperation and support of researchers, consultants,industry representatives, and all related agriculturalsegments in Mississippi. All their coordinated efforts wereand are directed toward helping our farmers. Theprograms were: 1965 - Safe and Proper use of Pesticides - Funding of

$1,031,730 served to educate pesticide users in the safe andproper use of pesticides in a statewide program. Newpersonnel were employed to assist with this program. Responsibility: David Young and Edna Ruth Morgan.

1968-69 - Boll weevil Diapause Control - This program forMonroe and Sharkey counties was conducted by DavidYoung of Extension and Ed Lloyd of the USDA BollWeevil Research Laboratory. Later the program wasexpanded statewide by the Extension EntomologyDepartment, following the pilot effort in the two counties. Funding for the two county program came from Extension,ARS-USDA,National Cotton Council,and cottonproducers.

1971-73 - South Mississippi Pilot Boll Weevil EradicationExperiment - Funded for $5,000,000 the program involvedfifteen agencies in three states. The researcher's objectivewas to determine the technical and operational feasibility ofeliminating the boll weevil population by integratingseveral suppression techniques simultaneously withimprovements in application technology. Extension's rolewas to secure the cooperation of the farmers and keep theminformed throughout the program. Responsibility: DavidYoung and H.C. Mitchell.

1972-73 - First Pilot Pest Management Program forCotton - Initial funding was for $185,000. The two-yearprogram was conducted in Grenada and Yalobushacounties to organize farmers into a non-profit pestmanagement society and to demonstrate the effectivenessof a pest management approach to controlling cotton pestswith chemicals, beneficial insects, cultural control, andmaking use of pheromone traps, scouting, and diapausecontrol. Responsibility:David Young, Clyde Sartor,Reynard Moody, and James Lowe.

1972 - Mississippi Pesticide Applicator TrainingProgram-Initial funding was $332,633 with an annualfunding of $27,000. Objectives were to train 45,000private and 4500 commercial pesticide applicators inthe safe and proper use of pesticides. Retraining nowoccurs every three years for commercial and five yearsfor private applicators. Aerial applicators receiveadditional training each year. Responsibility: DavidYoung, Jim Hamer, Ted Brook, and Ruth Morgan.

1973 - Project Safeguard - Initial funding was $82,000. Statewide training for small producers with thirty acresor less of cotton, soybeans, and peanuts was conducted. Each producer was instructed in the use of safety gear,with toxic pesticides replacing DDT. Responsibility:David Young and Jim Hamer.

1976 - Cotton Pest Management - Original funding was$235,299 with an annual funding of $140,000. Objectives were to organize cotton producers statewideinto non-profit pest management societies and todemonstrate the effectiveness of the pest managementapproach to controlling cotton insects. Responsibility:David Young, Sartor, and Head.

1978-80 - Optimum Pest Management- Initial fundingwas $1,776,118. This program ran concurrently withthe North Carolina Boll Weevil Eradication Trial. Both programs were evaluated by teams studying thebiological data, environmental impact costs, andbenefits. The Optimum Pest Management Trial wasconducted in Panola County, with Pontotoc Countyserving as an untreated check. The specific objectivewas to develop and demonstrate the technological andoperational capability for implementing a communitywide optimum cotton insect management program tomaintain boll weevils and other insects below treatmentlevels through voluntary participation of cottonproducers. Responsibility: Young, Sartor, and Head.

1978 - Pesticide Impact Assessment - Original fundingwas $222,286 with an annual funding of $47,542. Theobjective was to evaluate rebuttable presumptionsagainst the registration of pesticides and to provideinformation on the benefits of pesticides to Mississippiagriculture for EPA to weigh against the ostensible risksthat supported cancellation proceedings. Responsibility:David Young and Ruth Morgan.

1978 - Soybean Integrated Pest Management-Initialfunding was $733,390 with an annual funding of$160,900. The objective was to organize soybeanproducers into a non-profit pest management societyand to demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi

17

disciplinary approach to controlling weeds, plant diseases,nematodes, and insects in soybeans. Responsibility: DavidYoung, and Jim Hamer.

Mississippi State UniversityStaff

1955 - 1983: David Young - Served as leader ofthe Extension Department of Entomology.

1960: Edna Ruth Morgan - Pesticide coordinatorand pesticide impact assessment specialist:Responsible for pesticide education,assessment of risks and benefits of pesticides,and pesticide applicator training.

1972: Jim Hamer - Extension entomologist:Responsible for insects of soybeans, sorghum,livestock, poultry, forage and pasture, peanuts,stored grain, sunflowers, and medicalarthropods (mosquitoes, etc.).

1975: James Jarratt - Extension entomologist:Responsible for household and structural pests,4-H, apiculture, and insects of commercial andurban vegetables, fruits and nuts, ornamentals,turf, and pets.

1976: Robert B. Head - Extension entomologist:Responsible for insects of cotton, corn, smallgrains, along with commercial forestry.

Area Specialists1976: Milton R. Reid - Area pest management

specialist: Responsible for insects of rice anddepartment programs in Bolivar, Humphreys,Issaquena, Leflore, Sharkey, Sunflower,Tunica, Quitman, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, andWashington counties.

1977: Pat P. Harris - Area pest managementspecialist, Decatur: Responsible for programsin Southeast District.

1979: Mike Williams - Extension entomologist

18

recently transferred from the area pestmanagement position at Pontotoc to the MSUoffice to assume the responsibility in cotton insectmodeling and transfer of computer technology tofarm situations.

1980: Douglas M. Gaydon - Area pest managementspecialist: responsible for Extension educationalprograms in Northeast Extension District.

The following are entomologists who alsoworked for Extension Entomology in Mississippi:

L.C. Murphree - Retired,Starkville, MS 1945-1952

A.G. Bennett - Retired,Starkville, MS 1952-1970

Roy Meeks - StonevillePedigree Seed Co.,Leland, MS 1965-1966

James H. Cochran - Retired,Long Beach, MS 1967-1979

H.C. Mitchell - deceased 1971-1979Clyde F. Sartor, Jr. -

Consultant, Vicksburg 1971-1976Julius R. Moody - 1972-1975

ICI Americas, Grenada, MSJames Lowe - 1968-1976

ICI Americas,Grenada, MSTed Brook - 1975-1984

Retired, TexasFarrell Boyd, Jr. - 1976-1977

Consultant, Clinton, MSGordon Andrews - 1976-1982

Department of Entomology,Stoneville, MS

Lavone Lambert - 1976-1980Entomologist, USDA,ARS, Soybean Unit,Stoneville, MS

Ron Seward - 1978-1982Memphis, TN

19

THE STATE PLANT BOARDOF MISSISSIPPI

H. R. Fulton, B. L. Graves, and J. R. HaskinsMississippi State, MS

House Bill 517, enacted on March 27, 1918,established the three member State Plant Board toregulate and control the introduction and spread ofinjurious insects and plant diseases. The law wasenacted because of the efforts of R. W. Harned andserved as a model for similar agencies in manyother states. Because R. W. Harned was electedsecretary at the first meeting and two of themembers were located at the Agriculture andMechanical College (A & M), many of the StatePlant Board meetings were held at A & M College. This close association with A & M Collegeresulted in the State Plant Board's office beinglocated in the Department of Zoology andEntomology from 1922 until 1971. It also resultedin many students being hired by the Plant Boardduring 52 years of expansion.

Establishment of theDivision of Plant Industry

In 1971 the State Plant Board was abolished andthe Division of Plant Industry (DPI), under theMississippi Department of Agriculture andCommerce was created. The organization,activities, and authorities of this new agencyremained the same as those of the State PlantBoard. The staff of the old plant board operatedDPI. The State Entomologist, who had previouslysupervised the State Plant Board and served assecretary, became Director, with a Chief Inspectorand General Inspector as his Assistant ProgramSupervisors. In 1979 three members were added tothe board by legislation. The law established an

advisory board to guide DPI and to helppromulgate regulations. The Advisory Board, ineffect, retained the authority of the old StatePlant Board. In 1979 three members were addedto the board by legislation.

Housing Facilities

In 1971, with the establishment of DPI andafter the separation of the Department ofEntomology from the Department of Zoology atMississippi State University's Harned BiologyBuilding, it became obvious that office andlaboratory space would be needed for DPI. Before 1971 the Plant Board had been housedwith the Department of Entomology because theHead of Entomology had served as Secretary to the Plant Board, although it was not a part of thedepartment. With the separation, the Departmentof Entomology was to be housed in the new ClayLyle Entomology Complex, with the originalplans including an annex for DPI. However, thecomplex had been funded from private andfederal grants along with some state monies thatwould not permit building the annex for DPI atthe center. The problem was solved when thelegislature agreed to utilize funds collected fromthe registration of pesticides and seed testing feesto construct housing for DPI and the SeedTesting Laboratory. In the meantime DPI wastemporarily housed in Memorial Hall at MSU. Bonds amounting to $200,000 were sold toobtain funds for construction, and in 1973 thenew facilities were erected on property donated

20

by MSU. With increased activities in pesticideregulation and enforcement, it soon became evidentthat additional facilities were needed, and anadditional $230,000 in bonds was sold to securefunds to construct an annex. The annex wascompleted in 1978. In 1986 the indebtedness of thebuildings was paid.

Activities

The first meeting of the Plant Board on May 18,1918, was held at A&M College. The followingemployees took office: Nursery Inspector, GeorgeF. Arnold; General Inspector, C. B. Haddon;Secretary, R. W. Harned; Chairman, P. P. Garner(Commissioner of Agriculture); a stenographer andclerk; and temporary inspectors. Plant Board activities in those initial years wereaimed at working cooperatively with the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Bureau of PlantIndustry, Bureau of Entomology and PlantQuarantine, and the Federal Horticultural Board tosurvey and control the spread of the sweet potatoweevil, Cylas formicarium elegantulus(Summers),citrus canker, Xanthomanas citri (Hasse), and pinkbollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders). Soon twelve pests, including the cotton squareweevil, now known as the boll weevil, Anthonomusgrandis Boheman, were declared to be publicnuisances, and sixty pests were declared to beespecially injurious justifying preventive andcontrol measures. Early regulations called forinspecting nurseries, orchards, and otherhorticultural crops. Specific regulations cited howmost plants would be certified and shipped toprevent spread of citrus canker, sweet potatoweevil, pink bollworm, cottony cushion scale,Icerya purchasi and San Jose scale, Asipidiotuspernicious (Comstock). Quarantines were soonimposed to prevent introduction of gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar (Linne), orange maggot,

Anastrepha trypeta luidens (Loew.), andMeditteranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata(Wiedeman) from other countries and the Alfalfaweevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) from ourwestern states. In 1919 the Plant Board supplied farmers withsweet potato slips to insure noninfested plantswere being used to control the sweet potatoweevil. On April 20, 1920 the Plant Boardauthorized purchase of its first automobiles(Fords). In that year the first formal hearingswere held relating to pink bollworm regulations,which necessitated nine meetings by the PlantBoard. Of significance was the hiring of ClayLyle and R. P. Colmer that year as assistantinspectors on December 1 and June 10,respectively. That year regulations were adoptedto prevent introduction and dissemination ofinfectious diseases of honey bees, Apis mellifera. In 1920 efforts were begun to control thespread and destructiveness of the Argentine ant,Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr). By 1922 as many as55 cities in Mississippi were conducting controlprograms. This activity continued to grow asmore towns became involved and began utilizingbait cans. Control programs expanded andefforts intensified in years to come. In the 1960'sMirex for fire ant control almost eradicated theArgentine Ant. The accelerating expansion of the Plant Board'sactivities and authority was indicated when onMarch 19, 1921, forty-two persons were on thepayroll. At the close of the 1986 calendar year,only twenty-nine were employed by the Divisionof Plant Industry. These employment figuresillustrate the importance placed on insect anddisease control in those early years, as theireconomic threats to agriculture and horticulturebegan to be realized. In April, 1921, the Plant Board published thefirst "Quarterly Bulletin of the State PlantBoard." The publication was continued for a

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number of years but was phased out in the early1930's when budgeting and financial restraintsresulted from inadequate appropriations by theLegislature. On July 28, 1921, the 18th meeting ofthe Plant Board was held in conjunction with whatmight be considered the first Insect ControlConference. This convention of predominantlyemployees of the Plant Board was held from July25 to 30. The program included four formaladdresses and twenty-nine presentations related topest problems. In 1922 an attempt was made to abolish the PlantBoard through legislation. In one respect theattempt was beneficial because a resulting in-depthstudy showed that the Plant Board had protected anagricultural and horticultural industry valuedannually at $658,643,156 at an average annual costof only $25,000. This cost-benefit ratio was verylow compared to that of many other states'programs. In subsequent few years, activities of thePlant Board were limited mainly to bee inspections,nursery inspections, insect surveys for variousinsect pests, sweet potato weevil control, Argentineant control, and other existing quarantines andprograms. In 1929 the Plant Board became involved withrodent control, which developed into a veryextensive program. That first year, assistance wasgiven to the U.S. Biological Survey in conducting60 city-wide campaigns. By 1945 rat controlprograms were underway in 92 towns. Thisprogram proved very beneficial to municipalities. It was discontinued in 1975 because of problems inregistering the rat bait and producer establishments(in each city) with theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also, pestcontrol firms were complaining that this programwas in direct competition with private enterprise. Complaints also arose from the public in 1929concerning termite, Reticulitermes, damage to homesand other structures. Soon unethical pest controloperator activities became a problem, which in the

late 1930's resulted in enactment of the lawgoverning regulation of professional services. The early 1930's marked a turning point in theactivities of the Plant Board. The legislaturebegan drastically to reduce appropriations. In1932 reductions in salaries ranged from 35-40percent. By 1934 funds for operation of theBoard were only 37.5 percent of previous highsof $135,000 in 1929 and 1930. Employees didreceive pay raises from 1932 to 1937. Withreduced funds the Plant Board had to reduceservices. Only 12 field inspectors were retained,and only the most important programs werecontinued, with very few being initiated in thenext two decades.

Bee Inspection Program

Harry R. FultonMississippi State, Ms

After the enactment of the Mississippi BeeDisease Act of 1920, regulations were adoptedon July 7, 1920 requiring the movement of beecolonies only under permit and allowed forinspection and the destruction of diseasedcolonies. At that time American Foulbrood(AFB) was forcing many beekeepers out ofbusiness because there was no effective treatmentavailable, and affected bees and equipment hadto be destroyed. Reports indicated that 50% ofsome beekeepers' colonies were infected. In1921 initial inspections of 6,129 coloniesrevealed an average of 10.55% AFB infection. In 1922 only 1.59% of 5,445 colonies wereinfected. These figures indicated the success ofthe program after infected colonies had beendestroyed in 1921. Thereafter the number ofcolonies inspected each year continued toincrease, while AFB incidence graduallydeclined. Having maintained an incidencegenerally below .5%, Mississippi has about the

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best record in the country, considering migratorybeekeepers coming into Mississippi each fall sincethe mid 1950's. Besides the good inspectionprogram, continued low incidences of AFB can beattributed to drug preventative programs. In the1940's, the use of sodium sulfathiazole proved to beeffective in preventing the completion of thereproductive cycle of the spore-forming bacteria,Bacillus larvae. The vegetative stage could bekilled, thus the brood cycle of the bees would notbe affected. However,the spores still were viable,and diseased colonies still had to be destroyed. Inthe early 1950's terramycin became available,which also prevented development of AFBsymptoms (dead larvae) and controlled thenon-spore producing bacteria that caused EuropeanFoulbrood. Further advancements in warding off bee diseasescame in the 1970's. The drug fumagillin becameavailable to control the protozoan caused nosemadisease, Nosema apis. In 1976 the Division of PlantIndustry purchased and began using an ethyleneoxide fumigation chamber that killed all stages ofmost bee diseases. AFB infected equipment nolonger had to be burned at a tremendous loss tobeekeepers. In 1979 alone, more than $20,000 inequipment was saved. In 1984 the tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, (Renne),was discovered in Texas and then in Florida. OnSeptember 26, 1986, regulations were adopted inMississippi to quarantine certain states generallyinfested or those with no acceptable regulatorycontrol program to combat introduction and spreadof the tracheal mite. Sampling and laboratorydiagnostic procedures in detecting infestationsproved inadequate and the mite continued to spreadthroughout the U. S. Certification procedures toallow shipment of packaged bees and movement ofthe some 40,000 to 60,000 colonies out ofMississippi each spring became almost too much ofa burden on the budget strained DPI. Twopart-time entomology students were hired with the

assistance of APHIS-PPQ to conduct a trachealmite survey while at the same time providingcertification. In the fall and winter of 1984 and1985, seven hundred fifty samples per yearconsisting of 50-100 bees each werecross-sectioned, cleared in potassium hydroxide,and examined individually under the microscopefor tracheal mites. Lab work alone required atleast 30 minutes per sample. No tracheal miteswere detected in Mississippi until the fall of1986. By May, 1987, fifty-two bee yardsinvolving eight beekeepers and ten countiessouth of Interstate 20 had been confirmed ashaving infestations ranging from 1% to 50%infested bees. All infestations were in migratorybeekeeping operations. Two treatments withmenthol crystals on an experimental basis weresuccessful in controlling but not eradicating themite, and the colonies were allowed to be movedto other states in May, 1987. In 1987 the dreaded Varroa mite, Varroajacobsoni, was detected in Wisconsin in coloniesshipped from Florida. Extensive surveys foundheavy mite infestation in many areas of Floridafrom which thousands of colonies had beentransported to many midwestern and easternstates. The destructive mite has now been foundin over twenty states. In October, 1987 a lightinfestation in two hives was detected in an apiary of 50 colonies brought from South Dakota. Theinfestation was eradicated and no otherinfestations have been detected. Beeinspections have been done by one or moreinspectors who performed other duties on a year-to-year or season to season basis. Some earlyinspectors in 1921 were J. L. E. Lauderdale, G.E. Riley, and Clay Lyle. Specific names of areainspectors who performed bee inspections inmost years are not known. In 1943 Homer D.Tate was assigned solely to do bee inspectionsand to supervise other field inspectors. Heremained in charge and was very active in the

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Mississippi Beekeepers Association until hisretirement in October, 1967. For the next 7 yearsthe program was supervised first by Joe Hall andthen by Edwin G. Dyess. In 1974 Harry R. Fultonwas hired as a district inspector to work 20 hours aweek in Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Noxubee, andWebster counties, and in 1975, upon completion ofhis Masters degree, he was given charge of theState- wide Bee Inspection Program and to serve ina supervisory and administrative role in pesticideregistration and sampling. He continues to serve assuch.

Imported Fire Ant Program

Harry R. FultonMississippi State, MS

In 1947 another pest problem arose that receivedattention and funding. That pest was the importedfire ant, Solenopsis saevissima richteri (Forel) thatwas creating great concern in the hay producingareas of the Black Belt. In 1948 the Mississippilegislature appropriated $15,000 to fund researchand control programs. A break-through came in1961 when Mirex bait was developed. It gavegood control, and aerial application programs weresoon underway. In the 1958-68 period theLegislature provided from $50,000 (1958) up to$300,000 (1966-1968) for the fire ant program butprovided no funds for 1968-1970, even though theseriousness of the pest mandated quarantines andcontrol programs. Funding in addition to USDAprograms was soon reinstated. By 1969-70concerns by ecologists began to develop over theenvironmental effects of Mirex, which eventuallyresulted in the ban of Mirex in 1978 by EPA. In 1970 the Imported Fire Ant Division of theMississippi Department of Agriculture andCommerce was established with two objectives: (1)to begin at the northern fringe of the infested zoneand treat southward all known areas of infestation

with the hope of eradicating the fire ant; and (2)to treat other infested areas to the south where theants interfered with livelihoods and recreation. The establishment of this separate agency left thePlant Board, later Division of Plant Industry,with only the responsibility of enforcingquarantines by such means as insuring that allsoil being moved with nursery stock, etc. wastreated and that all other soil movement activitieswere in compliance with the quarantines. From 1970 until a climax in 1978, manythousands of acres were treated with Mirex withgood results; however, environmental effects onwildlife prevented treatment of wooded andreserve areas, thus preventing eradication. Sincethe ban of Mirex several other baits have beendeveloped, but none were as cheap and aseffective as Mirex. The fire ant continues tospread northward and now has extended its rangeinto Tennessee. At present no statewide controlprogram is in effect. Another benefit of Mirex isthat its use is considered to be the contributingfactor in elimination if not eradication of theArgentine Ant. By 1967 only a few scatteredcomplaints of these ants occurred, and the PlantBoard discontinued the Argentine Ant ControlProgram. Bill Fancher was head of the Fire AntDivision until his retirement in 1973. MarionUetschy then operated the agency until it wasphased out in the 1980's.

White-fringed Beetle Program

Harry R. FultonMississippi State, MS

The white-fringe beetle, Graphognathus(=Pantomorus) leucoloma (Boheman) was firstfound in Laurel, Mississippi in June, 1937. Quarantine measures were instituted in thefollowing year, but by 1940 infestations had beenfound in eight counties and by 1943 in 11

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counties, making eradication doubtful. However,quarantines were to remain in effect, requiringnurseries and other regulated articles to be treatedalong with some heavily infested farms. Fortunately, by 1953 infestations were beingcontrolled by DDT to the point that the beetle nolonger posed a serious threat. In 1975 federalauthorities dropped the quarantines, and Mississippidid also.

Pesticide Programs

Harry R. FultonMississippi State, MS

The weather in 1949 was favorable for thebuildup of large cotton insect populations,especially boll weevils. Farmers began to complainabout the performance of the newerorganochlorine-insecticides in controlling insectsand suggested that inferior products were a possiblecause, resulting in the Legislature's enacting theEconomic Poisons Act of 1950. The Act called forthe registration of economic poisons, the collectionand analysis of samples to insure that products metlabel claims, and enforcement of the law by theState Plant Board. In 1950 a total of 1621 products were registeredby 191 firms remitting $2985 in fees. In that firstfiscal year, 822 samples were analyzed fordeficiencies in active ingredients and 110 (13.4%)were below listed label guarantees, but generally byonly small percentages. No prosecutions wereinitiated because manufacturers replaced any stocksfound to be deficient and methods of analysis insome cases needed refinement. In 1964 the Economic Poisons Act was amendedto define spray adjuvants as pesticides, thusrequiring their inclusion within the law. Thenumber of pesticide firms and correspondingnumbers of pesticides registered has increasedcontinually. By 1989 the number of products

registered had reached a high of 7,654 beingregistered by 647 companies. In 1971 regulations were amended to requirethe registration of bulk tank locations wherepesticides were to be dispensed and mixed on siteand to define fertilizer-pesticide mixtures aspesticides. Using bulk tanks saved the applicatorthe expense and time of disposing of emptycontainers and reduced exposure to concentrates,especially where aircraft were being loaded. In 1970 with the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and anew emphasis on protection of man and theenvironment from undue pesticide hazards, DPIwas forced to undertake more stringentenforcement of state and federal laws. Enforcement agreements with EPA have beenin place since 1975, when the Federal Insecticide,Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) waspassed. At that time, training and certificationprograms for applicators of restricted usepesticides were instituted. EPA has made fundsavailable to DPI for enforcement and hasgradually shifted enforcement activities ofFIFRA to the states. The Economic Poisons Act was replaced by theMississippi Pesticide Law of 1975, enacted tobring state law into compliance with the FederalInsecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Actrequiring training and certification of applicatorsof restricted-use pesticides and the licensing ofrestricted-use pesticide dealers. In 1987, with an emphasis and concerndeveloping on the contamination of groundwater, the legislature amended the MississippiPesticide Law to raise the registration fee forpesticides to $50 per brand name. The feescollected were to be used to fund ground waterstudies in Mississippi.

Pest Control Program

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James R. HaskinsMississippi State, MS

Legislature passed House Bill 112 on February16, 1938, authorizing the Plant Board to adoptregulations for governing and licensing pest controloperators. Rule 69 was adopted for this purpose, tobecome effective July 1, 1938. There were minorchanges in these regulations in 1939, 1944, 1946,1947, 1948 and 1950. These primarily addressedbonding requirements and monthly reporting ofonly those houses treated (instead of all housesinspected). Effective July 1, 1946, Rule 69 wasamended, outlining specific treatment requirementsregarding termite treatment. In 1955 the Attorney General ruled that the StatePlant Board no longer could accept cash bonds,resulting in minor changes. In 1957, at the requestof the pest control operators, the regulations werechanged to require education and/or experiencebefore qualifying to take the license examination. The regulations were revised in 1959 to outlineconcrete slab pretreatments for termites. (Thesetypes of structures were becoming prevalent, andthe regulations did not specifically outline theirpretreatment requirements.) Effective January 1, 1963, each employee of anoperator who solicits business or otherwiserepresents the operator in dealings with the public,had to be provided with an I.D. card, to bepurchased from the State Plant Board. Theregulations were amended April 9, 1965, andNovember 14, 1966, and defined a bonafideempl