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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

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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

22

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


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


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 bonafideemployee of a licensed operator. Theseamendments gave the board the authority tosuspend or revoke a license if an operator sublet hislicense or allowed a person other than a bonafideemployee to practice pest control under his license. Under the termite treatment requirements, theregulations abolished the ventilation requirements. Before then all properties treated had to haveadequate ventilation (approximately 2 square feet

of opening for each 25 linear feet of wall),making certain that no "dead ends" or cornerswere left unventilated. These revised regulationsabolished the requirements to screen allventilators and other openings underneath thebuilding with 20-mesh non-rusting screens. OnOctober 24, 1968, following therecommendations of the Attorney General'soffice, the high school education requirement fortaking the license examination was deleted fromthe regulations. On May 26, 1969, the pestcontrol regulations were amended, changing thequalifications to take the license examination. In1971 after the Division of Plant Industry wascreated from the State Plant Board, the pestcontrol regulations were significantly revised. The regulations were amended to include newdefinitions, license categories, examinationprocedures, reporting procedures, marking ofvehicles and equipment, and approved chemicalsand minimum treatment requirements. OnFebruary 23, 1974, the regulations were againamended, changing the qualifications to take thepest control license examination. The landscape,gardening, and tree surgery regulations wereseparated from the pest control regulationseffective March 29, 1977. Prior to this time theregulations were together. There were significantchanges in these regulations. Branch officeswere defined, and permit holders were requiredto operate these offices. All license and permitholders were required to be commerciallycertified. Several reasons for denying,suspending, or cancelling a license were added. These regulations outlined the procedure for ahearing before the Advisory Board and the actionto take for an appeal to the Chancery Court of thecounty of residence or the Chancery Court ofHinds County. They outlined the wooddestroying beetle treatment requirements. The regulations were amended June 25, 1980. These regulations created the pest control

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advisory council. The regulations also contained aprovision for the license holder to issue a temporaryI.D. card and the procedure for issuance of thetemporary I. D. Effective April 1, 1985, a copy ofall clearance inspection reports had to be given tothe mortgager, the seller, the buyer, and the realtor. All individuals performing fumigation must have afumigation license. These regulations gave theCommissioner the authority to deny, suspend, orcancel an I.D. card. These regulations prohibit anindividual from having more than one license orI.D. card to perform the same service at any giventime. All companies were required to have alicense holder residing in the state if a place ofbusiness is located in the state. Pesticidecontainers, except application devices, were to belabeled to show the name of the pesticide, theE.P.A. registration number, and the concentrationof the pesticide. These regulations prohibited lessthan label concentrations or volumes oftermiticides.

Sweet Potato WeevilEradication Program

Benson L. GravesMississippi State, MS

The Mississippi Plant Act of 1918 was enacted bythe State Legislature and was approved by theGovernor March 27, 1918. This act was to preventthe introduction into and dissemination of insectpests and diseases injurious to plants and plantproducts within this state. One of the first acts ofthe Plant Board was the scouting for sweet potatoweevils, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers). In the first year weevils were found in Hancock,Harrison, Jackson, and Pearl River counties. Efforts were initiated to eradicate the weevil fromMississippi. In 1932 the Plant Board in cooperation with theUnited States Bureau of Entomology and Plant

Quarantine had reduced the number of propertiesinfested with the sweet potato weevil in Harrison,Hancock, Jackson and Pearl River counties frommore than one thousand to less than one hundred. In that year the Plant Board appropriation wascut 62½ percent and federal cooperation waswithdrawn. As a result, the weevils quicklyreinfested the farms from which they had beeneradicated and spread to new territory. From 1937 until today sweet potato weevilshave been found infesting sweet potatoesthroughout the southern one third of the state. Because of this pest, commercial sweet potatoproduction is not feasible in much of southMississippi. Most of the commercial sweetpotato acreage is centered in the weevil freenorth Mississippi counties of Calhoun andChickasaw. Even in these two countiesoutbreaks of weevils occurred in 1981 and 1983,requiring the destruction of more than 7000bushels of potatoes. Both of these infestationswere eradicated, but they focused the need oncontinuing the work of the Sweet Potato WeevilEradication Program.

Sweet Potato CertificationProgram


About the same time the Sweet Potato WeevilEradication Program was being set up, the needfor disease and insect free sweet potato seed andplants was being recognized. At the time severelosses were occurring from two diseases, blackrot, Ceratocystis fimbriata, and stem rot, Fusariumoxysporum f. batatas. In August, 1920 the Plant Board added thePotato Inspection Department. J. C. Holton wasplaced in charge, and he immediately began toformulate rules to prevent the further spread of

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potato diseases and to make it possible for farmerswith uninfected land to get healthy, disease-freepotato seed. These rules were passed by the PlantBoard in December, 1920. Among these rules wasone prohibiting the movement or shipment into orwithin Mississippi of seed sweet potatoes or sweetpotato plants that had not been officially inspectedand found free from disease and insects. Certificatetags were issued to potato growers whose seed andplants passed inspection, one tag being required onevery parcel or package of plants or tubers. Over the years the Sweet Potato InspectionProgram has been very successful. The farmingcommunity accepted this inspection program andhas taken full advantage of this service offered bythe Plant Board. The number of growers served bythis program peaked in 1943, with 1755 growersbeing certified. In 1986 there were 118 growersinvolved in the certification program for sweetpotatoes. Because of the Plant Board's persistentefforts over the years in educating the farmer in thecorrect use of fungicides and resistant varieties,black rot and stem rot are no longer major problemsin potato production.

Tomato Certification Program


In 1950 a disastrous outbreak of late blight,Phytophthora infestans, in the Copiah CountyCommercial Tomato Area was believed to havebeen caused by infected tomato plants shipped fromFlorida and other subtropical points. SinceMississippi did not require the inspection andcertification of tomato plants at that time, the PlantBoard was urged to provide an inspection systemand prohibit importation of plants from other states. This was done, and it is believed the quality ofplants produced in the state has been greatlyimproved. In 1952 plants from states that had

established Tomato Plant Inspection Programswere allowed to be sold in the state after the PlantBoard had issued a special permit. This specialpermit was issued only after a satisfactorycertificate of inspection had been filed with thePlant Board stating that the plants or plant bedshad been regularly inspected and would continueto be inspected at stated intervals. In 1954 all shipments of out of state tomatoplants were again halted because of diseaseoutbreaks. This changed again in the 1960's toallow tomato plants to enter our state if theycame from a state with a Disease InspectionProgram. Today only plants from south Floridaare not given right of entry in Mississippi. As of the spring of 1986, there were 226certified tomato plant growers in Mississippi. Growers basically are producing quality,disease-free plants and cooperate fully with theprogram.

Nursery Inspection Program


In 1908, with the passage of the first Nurseryand Orchard Inspection Law, the Nurseryinspection program was initiated. The objectivewas to stop the shipment of infested plants intoMississippi, many of which could not be shippedto other states. Unfortunately no funds wereappropriated, and the program was poorlyimplemented. Each nursery was required toapply for inspection by an entomologist at the A& M College Experiment Station. The Programwas not effective until the Plant Act was enactedin 1918. Forty-two regulations were adoptedunder the law designating eight insect pests asnuisances and regulating the movement of theirhosts. Numerous pests were designated asespecially injurious, and to prevent the spread of

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these pests, the law called for the inspection ofplants at nurseries and other sites where they weregrown and/or held for shipment or sale. George F. Arnold was appointed as the firstnursery inspector on July 1, 1918. He resigned inOctober of 1918. He was replaced by D. W.Grimes. Early inspections showed San Jose scale,Asipidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) to be the chiefpest. The infested plants were removed andburned. Freedom from pests allowed forcertificates to be issued for shipping plants. Allcommon carriers were required to notify the PlantBoard of any shipments of plants.In 1918-19 three publications entitled "NurseryInspection Circulars Nos. 1, 2, and 3" werepublished to advise growers of the regulations andpest situations. In 1928 the requirement that carbon copies ofinvoices be attached to nursery tags on shipmentsof plants was issued. Also in 1928 inspectionswere made at railway stations, ports, and parcelpost stations. Of 16,877 shipments inspected, 337were rejected. The number of nurseries in Mississippi continuedto expand until the late 1960's. In the late 1940'smore nurseries began to grow ornamental plantsresulting in discovery of a wider range of minorinsect pests. In the early 1950's many nurserieswere being treated with soil insecticides to insurethat regulated pests would not be shipped in soilassociated with nursery stock. Early chemicalsused were organochlorines such as DDT, dieldrin,heptachlor, and chlordane which offered residualcontrol. By 1987 all organochlorines had beencancelled by EPA for these uses, leaving no longlasting treatment available to nurserymen. Incontrast, many organophosphorous insecticideshave been used for many years to control foliagefeeding insect pests. By the early 1970's the white fringed beetle hadbecome a somewhat insignificant pest, and in 1975

the White Fringed Beetle Quarantine was lifted.

Pink BollwormRegulatory Program


The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossyiella(Saunders), was first discovered in the UnitedStates in the fall of 1917 at Hearne, Texas. Toprevent the spread of this especially injuriouspest to surrounding states, one of the mostextensive regulatory campaigns ever known wasbegun. With the passage of the Mississippi Plant Actin 1918, it became illegal to ship cotton, cottonseed, or cotton seed products into Mississippifrom any place where this pest had been declaredto exist by the Federal Horticultural Board. Inspite of Federal regulations, by 1929 the pinkbollworm had spread to New Mexico andArizona, and by the early 1950's isolatedinfestations were known to occur in Oklahoma,Arkansas, and Louisiana. In the west, Californiaand Nevada in part had infestations by 1967. Todate the only confirmed infestation to becomeestablished east of the Mississippi River occurredin north Florida and south Georgia in 1932. Eradication in the nine-county area wherecultivated cotton was grown was successful. However, a very low level infestation occurs insouth Florida's wild cotton that is not near anycultivated cotton. Beginning in March, 1920, H. H. Kimballserved as Chief Inspector in charge of pinkbollworm work for the Plant Board. In 1925, athis request, he was reassigned to regional work. In 1926 the Plant Board repealed the embargoon shipment of cottonseed from other states. This action was necessary because the SupremeCourt ruled that no state could impose quarantine

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restrictions that conflicted with federal quarantines.Federal quarantine allowed interstate shipment ofcottonseed from all states, even from regulatedareas, when inspected and shipped under permit. Ineffect Mississippi's more strict regulation wasillegal and had to be repealed. In 1954 Plant Protection Quarantine Stations tobe located at the Mississippi River Bridges inVicksburg, Greenville, Natchez, and Lula werefunded at $46,000 for the primary purpose ofpreventing the introduction of the pink bollworm. However, in years to come they proved themselvesto be valuable in controlling the spread of otherpests, such as sweet potato weevil, honey beediseases, and many others. Time consuming inspections at quarantinestations for regulated articles were made on allvehicles coming across the bridges. Unfortunatelyin 1976 the legislature deemed it necessary todiscontinue funding for the quarantine stations, andthey were abandoned. At the time the quarantine stations had beenestablished, it was considered necessary thatadditional inspections or surveys be carried out inMississippi to detect any pink bollworminfestations. Gin trash inspections were begunusing a machine that separated live worms from thetrash. Thousands of bushels of trash wereprocessed until the late 1960's, when pheromonetraps were developed. Mississippi, as might be expected, has notescaped pink bollworm invasion. Fortunatelythrough the efforts of regulatory officials and thefarming community, these invasions have beeneliminated. Significant was the detection of pink bollwormmoths in the Mississippi Delta beginning in 1981. One male moth was collected by Bill Batson,USDA, APHIS, PPQ, in a routine survey atStoneville. Following this find extensive surveyswere initiated under state and federal guidelines. A number of moths were detected in Washington

and Bolivar counties that indicated a pinkbollworm regulated area be established inWashington County in 1983, and for BolivarCounty in 1986. Restrictions on shipping certainitems from the zone and mandatory stalkdestruction were imposed. The program hasproven to be successful because no life stagesother than male moths have ever been detected.

Argentine Ant Program


The Argentine Ant, Iridomyrmex humilis, wasfirst known to occur in Mississippi in the early1900's; however, no method of control wasavailable until the mid 1910's. It was consideredone of the most serious pests known to man. Itpresented problems in poultry production,orchards, beekeeping, and many otheragricultural enterprises. Consequently, it wasdeemed to be a nuisance by the Plant Board. With the development of a control bait, thePlant Board gave its assistance in conductingcontrol campaigns in different communities. In1920 control campaigns were begun in fourlocalities. Effective control and prospects forpotential eradication justified expansion. One ofthe most extensive campaigns was conducted inJackson in 1922. It required filling, capping, anddistributing 50,000 cans of poisoned syrup. By 1931 one hundred-twenty-five campaignswere on-going. It seemed that this was to be oneof the most successful insect control campaignsever conducted. By 1941 the ants had beeneradicated from some 60 locations. With the onset of World War II, supplies ofsugar for the bait and aluminum for the bait cansbecame unavailable. The program began to fallapart, and the ants made a comeback, with morethan 300 localities known to have infestations in

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1947. However, after World War II concluded,supplies were soon available and the program heldits own. Since the use of Mirex began in the 1960'sto control fire ants, the Argentine Ant has almostbecome extinct.

Gypsy Moth Program


The Gypsy Moth, Porthetria dispar, was firstfound in the United States in 1869, and control wasinitiated in 1889. The first federal control programwas initiated in 1906 and the first quarantine in1912. Quarantine procedures have been successfulin limiting the infestations to New England;however, with the rise of a more mobile touristindustry, especially relating to recreational vehicles,gypsy moth finds have been reported in southernand western states. Adults are often foundhitchhiking on vehicles, and females often attachegg masses to vehicles. With the enactment of ThePlant Act in Mississippi in 1918, the gypsy mothwas declared to be a public nuisance and its some85 listed host plants became regulated items. Consequently, the Plant Board began scouting forthis pest. In 1976, with the development of apheromone trap, an extensive survey was begun. Some 200 such traps were placed in recreation andcamping areas. The first gypsy moth was trappedin Mississippi in 1981. Extensive surveys withmore than 4,000 traps in 1982 and 5,500 in 1983were initiated, but no additional moths weretrapped. In 1984 three moths were captured. Atotal of 6,447 traps were operated in 1985, byUSDA, PPQ personnel, and DPI inspectors, and nomoths were trapped. Officials are optimistic thatthis pest has not become established in Mississippi.

Japanese Beetle Program


The federal Japanese beetle quarantine (No.48) as enacted in 1920. As such the pest wasrestricted mainly to the northeastern states. Gradually, however, it extended its range intoTennessee and Alabama, and in 1977 surveyswere initiated in Mississippi utilizing pheromonetraps. Of 81 traps operated, one beetle wascaught near Aberdeen. Intensified trapping inthat area did not yield additional beetles in 1978. In June, 1979, a lone beetle was collected in acotton field in Panola County, but againextensive follow-up trapping yielded no beetlesin 1979 or in 1980. It is generally thought that the beetle has almostreached its ecological range limitations, and itseconomical significance does not warrantextensive expenditures for trapping and survey;thus such activities have been discontinued.

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Personnel


The State Plant Board through 1967 consisted ofthe Commissioner of Agriculture, the Director ofthe Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station,and the Chief Entomologist and Head of theEntomology Department at A & M College (nowMississippi State University). The Commissioners of Agriculture were P. O.Garner, 1918-27; J. C. Holton, 1927-39; Si Corley,1940-67; and Jim Buck Ross, 1968-Present. The Directors of the Agricultural ExperimentStations were E. R. Lloyd, 1918; J. R. Ricks,1919-30 and 1932-37; W. R. Perkins, 1930-32;Clarence Dorman, 1938-47; Russell Coleman,1947; Frank J. Welch, 1948-51; Clay Lyle,1951-58; Henry H. Leveck, 1938-67; and James H.Anderson, 1968-70. The State Entomologists were R. W. Harned,1918-31; Clay Lyle, 1931-51; and Ross E.Hutchins, 1951-68. In 1968 the legislature expanded the membershipof the State Plant Board to include the Director ofthe Cooperative Extension Service and the Head ofthe Plant Pathology and Weed Science Departmentat Mississippi State University. For the next threeyears, the Board consisted of the following: Commissioner of Agriculture, Jim Buck Ross;Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station,James H. Anderson; Head of Department ofEntomology, F. G. Maxwell; Director of theCooperative Extension Service, W. M. Bost; andHead, Plant Pathology and Weed Science,Department W. W. Hare. The following persons have served as Director ofthe Division of Plant Industry by appointment ofthe Commissioners of Agriculture: R. W. Harned,1918-31; Clay Lyle, 1931-June, 1951; RossHutchins, 1951-June, 1968; O.T. Guice, Jr.,

1968-June, 1975; and Jack D. Coley,1975-Present.

Advisory Board forThe Division of Plant Industry

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce:Jim Buck Ross 1968-Present

State Chemist, Head, Mississippi State ChemicalLaboratory:

James P. Minyard 1971-PresentHead, Plant Pathology & Weed ScienceDepartment:

W. W. Hare 1971-80Charles Laughlin 1980-1982W. K. Porter 1983-1984James McGuire 1984-Present

Head, Entomology Department:F. G. Maxwell 1971-75C. A. Wilson 1975-76Dan Shankland 1976-80Thomas J. Helms 1981-1987Randy G. Luttrell 1988Clarence H. Collison 1989-Present

Head, Agronomy Department: R. G. Creech 1979-Present

Soil Conservation District Officer:Gus Evans 1979Robert D. Morrow 1980-82

Robroy Fisher 1983-84 John Oglesby 1985-Present

State Soil Survey Leader: E. E. Pettry 1979-Present.

Following are some DPI employees whoshould be honorably mentioned:

Dr. Clay Lyle: Employed December 1, 1920 andbecame State Entomologist and member of thePlant Board in 1931. On July 1, 1951, hebecame dean/director of Agriculture ofMississippi A & M College.

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R. P. Colmer: Employed as assistant inspector onJune 10, 1920 and later became chief inspector,serving in that capacity from 1951 until heretired in 1966.

O. T. Guice: Employed in 1938 as chief inspector,became State Entomologist in 1952 and servedin that position until he retired in June, 1975.

J. C. Redd: Employed as a general inspector inJanuary, 1944, resigned in April, 1946.

Homer Tate: Employed as full-time bee inspectorin April, 1944, continued in that position untilhe retired in 1967.

James H. Cochran: Employed in 1945, becameplant pathologist and inspector in 1959 andserved in that position until he joined theExtension Service in 1967. M. M. Price:Employed at Lucedale in 1948 and served asDistrict Entomologist until retirement in 1978.

David F. Young, Jr.: Employed at Tylertown in1949, transferred to Leland in 1951 and serveduntil he joined the Extension Service in 1955.

L. B. Davis: Employed in 1952 and resigned in1965. Johnny D. Ouzts: Employed as assistantEntomologist in 1961, resigned in 1963 toaccept a position with Delta State University.

Richard Welch: District Entomologist from 1957until retirement in 1986.

Lester G. Clayton: District Entomologist from 1968until June 30, 1986 when he retired.

N. L. Douglas: District Entomologist from January9, 1928 until death on March 29, 1969.

L. J. Goodgame: District Entomologist from May24, 1928 until retirement December 31, 1968.

Ross E. Hutchins: District Entomologist and Stateentomologist from September 6, 1929 until heretired on May 31, 1968.

J. M. Langston: District inspector from August 20, 1918 until his retirement on

June 30, 1958.R. Z. Pepper: District Entomologist from April 28,

1938 until he retired on September 1, 1973.

F. A. Smith: District Entomologist from June 2,1926 until he retired on May 31, 1969.

Current Staff

The current staff consists of the following: Director and Administrator of all Programs, JackD. Coley; Secretary, Klinelle Coleman; Secretaryfor Agricultural Aviation Board, Teresa Oswalt;Deputy Director and In Charge of the OverallPesticide Program, Robert H. McCarty;Secretary, Jackie Ganann; Supervisor PesticideRegistration and Honey Bee Inspection, Harry R.Fulton; Secretary, Bonnie Hays;Licensing/Certification of CommercialApplicators, James R. Haskins; Secretary, SheliaReed; Private Certification and Supervisor EPAEnforcement Inspection., Tommy McDaniel;Secretary, Carolyn Graham; Accountant, ThomasE. Whitfield; Secretary, Valerie Palmer;Accounting Clerk, Mary Arledge;Supervisor ofNursery Inspection and Export Certification,Edwin G. Dyess; Secretary, Gloria Cardin;Supervisor of Sweet Potato, Tomato, andCabbage Inspection, Benny Graves; Secretary,Helen Mize; and Printer, Bobbie Ray;Coordinator USDA Grant Programs, LeslieVissage; Coordinator Special EPA Projects, BobBrand; Groundwater Special Programs, DonGoode.

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ENTOMOLOGY ATDELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Johnny D. OuztsCleveland, MS

A course in entomology has been taught at DeltaState University in the basic teacher educationcurriculum of the sciences since the inception of theprogram. Before 1968 Delta State offered only thebasic course. Student requests for advanced coursesprompted officials to approve a three-hour course inmedical entomology, which developed into acompanion for the course in medical parasitology. This introduced the other side of entomology andthereby attracted attention beyond the agriculturalconcept. The inception of the graduate program

allowed expansion of the curriculum to includegraduate level courses. Since 1968 courses ineconomic entomology, aquatic entomology,invertebrate zoology , taxonomy of immatureinsects, pest management procedures, andmedical entomology have been added. Thesisand independent research are two options for thegraduate student. Now a student completing B.S. and M.S.degrees may earn 34 hours inentomology-related courses in the BiologicalSciences curriculum.

ENTOMOLOGY AT MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Bill P. StarkClinton, MS

General Entomology was first offered as a formalcourse in the Mississippi College BiologyDepartment in 1920-21. Prof. M. P. Somesapparently joined the Mississippi College facultyafter serving as chairman of the ClemsonEntomology Department and as an assistant stateExtension entomologist in Minnesota. By 1929-30

a course in Economic Entomology was alsolisted in the catalogue and was probably taughtby W. O. Sadler, who later received his Ph.D.from Cornell after study with Needham,Comstock and Johanson. Both GeneralEntomology and Economic Entomologyremained in the catalogue through the 1930's

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and 1940's, but we are not sure how frequently theywere taught. Entomology courses were removedfrom the catalogue in the early 1970's but returnedin the 1980 catalogue. Bill Stark was responsiblefor this latter course, which continues to be offeredevery other spring as a senior level biology electivefor majors. A non-majors core science course,"Insects and Man," has also been offered onalternate years since 1983. When Bill Starkjoined the Mississippi College faculty in 1976,there was no curated insect collection, but a numberof

boxes of decimated student collections indicatedthat entomology had been taught in the 1960's. Our present general collection is small (fewerthan 5000 pinned specimens), but Stark'sresearch collection of Plecoptera exceeds 50,000specimens in alcohol. Bill Stark has authored orco-authored a number of publications on hisresearch dealing with Plecoptera. He has alsodeveloped keys to identify species of Plecoptera.

ENTOMOLOGYAT THE UNIVERSITY OFSOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Fred G. HowellHattiesburg, MS

The history of entomology at the University ofSouthern Mississippi (USM) basically is the historyof entomology related courses offered by theDepartment of Biological Sciences over the pastfour decades and the discipline's role in stimulatingand supporting research activities over the past twodecades. The department has never offered adegree in entomology or any of its subdisciplines. No collections are maintained, except for "wet"specimens used in the basic course for "hands on"experience. The study of insects, however, has played animportant role in training both graduate andundergraduate students seeking degrees from thisdepartment. An introductory course inEntomology, Medical Entomology, andArachnology have enriched backgrounds ofundergraduate students and provided them withbasic, general information regarding the life forms

commonly encountered on a day-to-day basis. These courses have often served as startingpoints for students interested in advanced studieseither at USM or other universities. Graduatestudents have often focused on material firstencountered in Aquatic Insect Ecology, agraduate level course, and pursued advancedresearch studies in aquatic insect biology. Monies generated by externally funded researchgrants or contracts have "paid the bills"associated with these projects.

Faculty and Courses

Perhaps the first entomology course offered atUSM was in the 1940's, but it was not taught byan entomologist until 1955, when Barry D.Valentine, a master's degree entomologist fromHarvard, taught the course. Valentine left in

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1958 to pursue the Ph.D. degree at CornellUniversity. J. William Cliburn, a vertebratebiologist by training, taught the course in the nextfew years, concentrating, in his own words, on"houseflies and tumble bugs, the only two insectsof which I knew anything." Bryon Smith, agraduate entomologist from the University ofGeorgia, taught the course from 1964 through1968. Ed Cupp taught entomology from 1968through spring semester 1974. Cup added MedicalEntomology to the department's offerings then. Heleft in 1974 to assume a faculty position at CornellUniversity. Fred Howell (Ph.D., Texas TechUniversity, 1972) began teaching entomology inthe fall of 1974. Smith often taught off-campuscourses at night on the Gulf Coast. Howell addedtwo related courses to the department's offerings: Arachnology (1976, graduate and undergraduatelevels) and Aquatic Insect Ecology (1978, graduatelevel). Research

With no "mission-oriented" research and noconsistent, predictable funding base, entomologicalresearch activities within the department havegenerally followed the interests of specific faculty. Programs have often changed almost overnight dueto loss of a particular faculty member. Fire antresearch, for example, virtually disappeared whenCupp left USM in 1974. He took his NIHsponsored research with him. Cupp was apparentlythe first entomologist at USM who actively soughtresearch funding and supported graduate studentresearch. Cupp worked during his sojourn atSouthern with Gary Blumquest, a biochemist fromthe Chemistry Department, who was interested ininsect physiology. Together Cupp and Blumquestultimately produced two or three M.S. degrees andat least one Ph.D. The one area in which researchemphasis has remained constant through almosttwo decades is that of biology and ecology ofaquatic insects and the application of this

knowledge to environmental health. Billy J.Grantham, a USM Ph.D. graduate (1969),worked on his degree while serving as abiologist with the Fishery Division of theMississippi Game and Fish Commission.Grantham was interested in survey work ofMississippi streams and rivers when he joinedthe USM faculty in 1970. This was importantbecause it came when the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (1969) and the CleanWater Act began to influence the tone ofMississippi waste water discharge permits toindustries operating on natural water courses. Grantham's contacts and expertise from hisGame and Fish Commission experience werevaluable in securing contracts with industries inneed of "baseline, pre- and post-data" to satisfypermit requirements. The current state of entomology at USM hasits roots with the Grantham era (1968-1980). Grantham was made Head of the Department ofBiology in 1973 and through his administrativeand research leadership assembled a group offaculty capable of interdisciplinary work inaquatic biology. One of those hired in 1974 wasFred Howell, an archaeologist by training but anaquatic insect ecologist through experience atthe Savannah River Ecology Laboratory nearAiken, South Carolina. Another was SteveRoss, a Ph.D. ichthyologist from the Universityof South Florida, 1974. Howell and Granthamimmediately went to work in 1974 with theWeyerhaeuser Company to establish baselineconditions in the Tombigbee River nearColumbus, Mississippi, in anticipation of thecompany's proposed paper mill in the "GoldenTriangle" of Mississippi. That project, alongwith Ross and Howell's study (1975-1979) ofBlack Creek near Purvis, Mississippi, for theSouth Mississippi Electric Power Associationhelped solidify graduate student support forthose interested in aquatic insects.

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Future Prospects

Entomology's role at USM is expected to grow insignificance. The difficult period from Grantham'sdeath until the present when only one"entomologist" was on board appears to be over. The department has hired an insect geneticist,

William Hanratty (Ph.D., University ofPittsburgh, 1975), who assumed a new facultyposition in September, 1987. Also, Grantham'sreplacement will be replaced in the coming year;a national search for an aquatic invertebratespecialist is underway. It is possible that anaquatic entomologist will eventually fill thatposition. Perhaps a new chapter in entomologyat USM is about to begin.

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTHINSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION & QUARANTINEThomas M. Harris

Jackson, MS

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is one ofthe program units within The Animal Plant HealthInspection Service (APHIS). The Southeastern Regional Office of APHIS islocated in Gulfport, MS. It serves Mississippi,Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, SouthCarolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, Bahamas,and Virgin Islands. The work unit office of PPQ forMississippi is located in Jackson, with workstations in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Brookhaven,Jackson, Greenville, Winona, and Tupelo. Manyof the insects, weeds, nematodes, and plant diseasesthat attack U.S. crop areforeign invaders that entered before the advent ofagricultural quarantine laws. Today, it isAPHIS-PPQ'S responsibility to administer theselaws to help prevent entry of foreign pests.Protection of America's agriculture is providedthrough pest exclusion- inspection of agriculturalimports in the country of origin or at U.S. ports ofentry; survey and detection- working with state

officials and others to find new or exotic pestinfestations early; eradication - where feasible,when potentially damaging pests slip throughour defenses or enter through natural means;managementsuppression or containmentsthrough combinations of biological, cultural, and6 chemical means when the most practicalchoice is to live with a pest; andregulation-establishing rules for interstate andinternational commerce that minimize the risk ofpest introduction and spread. In 1920 the Federal Horticulture Boardestablished terminal inspection stations inMississippi at Ocean Springs and A & MCollege and in 1921 at Gulfport, Jackson, HollySprings, Meridian, and Leland. Other programsinvolving PPQ are as follows: Soybean CystNematode- survey, regulatory and control;Whitefringed Beetle, Graphognathus(=Pantomorus) leucoloma (Boheman), survey,regulatory and control; sweet potato weevil,

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Cylas fornicarius elegantulus (Summers)- survey andcontrol; boll weevil, Anthonomous grandis(Boheman),- eradication trials; red imported fireant, Solenopsis invicta (Bureu)- survey, regulatoryand control; Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica(Newman)- survey; cereal leaf beetle, Aulemamelanopus (Linnaeus)- survey; Khapra Beetle,Trogoderma granarium (Everts)-survey;Mediterranian Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata(Wiedeman)-survey; pink bollworm, Pectinophoragossypiella (Saunders)-survey, regulatory andcontrol; Gypsy Moth, Porthetria dispar(Linne')-survey; Formosan Subterranean Termite,Coptotermes formosamus (Shiaaki)-survey;Barberry- regulatory; witchweed- survey; PhonyPeach Disease-survey and control; biologicalcontrol- alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal),citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead); HojaBlanca- survey; pesticide monitoring in soils;pesticide residue prior to creation of The U.S.Environmental Agency; Cooperative EconomicInsect Survey; Cooperative National Plant PestSurvey and Detection Program; Acarine Mite,Acarapis woodi (Rennie)- survey; Varroa Mite,Varroa jacobsoni (Audeman)- survey; egyptiancottonworm, Spodoptera littorealis(Bairdunae)-survey; african cotton leafworm,Spodoptera litura (F.)-survey; Asiatic Rice Borer,Chilo suppressalis (Walker)-survey; False CodlingMoth, Cryptophlenia leucoteta (Mayrick)-survey;Maize Borer, Chilo partellus (Swinehoe)??-survey;Citrus Canker- regulatory; Golden Nematode,Heterodera rastochierosis. There have been many interceptions of plant pestsnot known to occur in the U.S. at Mississippi portsof entry. For example, on June 11, 1983, theBelgian motor vessel, "Brussel," arrived at Gulfportfrom Australia. The Captain told the PPQ officerinspecting the ship that while coming through thePanama Canal, a swarm of bees came aboard theship and lodged on his magnetic compass above thebridge. The swarm was eradicated by the PPQ

officer. Specimens were identified asAfricanized honey bees, Apis mellifera scutellata(Linnaeus). For domestic programs, theprimary impact has been on delaying spread ofthe pest until effective control measures couldbe developed. For example, the soybean cystnematode quarantine was invoked on July 26,1957 and revoked on September 30, 1972, afterdevelopment of resistant varieties. Generally, PPQ programs have preventedlosses caused by destructive pests. The slogan,"APHIS -Protecting American Agriculture," hasbeen adopted and is used with the logo. Officers in charge of Mississippi programs: Joseph W. Patterson, 1956-1960; T. D. Persons,1960-1969; Woodrow O. Owens, 1969-1972;William F. Helms, 1972-1974; KennethBlocker, 1974-1978; Edward F. Cullen (acting),1978-1980; and Thomas M. Harris,1980-Present.

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BOLL WEEVILRESEARCH LABORATORYJ. W. Smith, E. P. Lloyd and T. B. Davich

Mississippi State, MS

In the late 1950's, when the boll weevil,Anthonomus Grandis (Boheman) developedresistance to insecticides and when productionpractices brought a long cotton growing seasonfavoring greatly increased overwinteredpopulations, the cotton industry needed intensifiedresearch to rid the U. S. of the boll weevil. In 1958,at the request of Congress, a working groupappointed by the Secretary of the Department ofAgriculture and chaired by E. F. Knipling, thenDirector of the Entomology Research Division,ARS, U. S. Department of Agriculture, wasappointed to study the boll weevil problem andmake recommendations for a long-term approachdealing with it. As a result of the committee'srecommendation, the Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory was established in 1961 on the campusof Mississippi State University and an increasedemphasis was given to boll weevil research at otherARS locations and in the State AgriculturalExperiment Stations. In November, 1960, T. B. Davich was appointedDirector of the Boll Weevil Research Laboratory. He served as consultant to the architect in designingvarious laboratories and their needs for hoods,power supplies and other requirements, andrecruited scientists and support staff. Thelaboratory staff consisted of scientists from manydisciplines, including agricultural engineers, plantphysiologists, plant geneticists, chemists, soilscientists, and entomologists specializing in insectpathology, mass rearing, host plant resistance,insect physiology, insect genetics, and insect

ecology. The staff also included entomologistswho tested laboratory findings and conceptsunder cotton growing conditions. The Boll Weevil Research Laboratory wasformally dedicated in March, 1962. Attendingthe dedication were scientists and agriculturaladministrators from throughout the Cotton Belt,as well as several congressional leaders. E. F.Knipling keynoted the dedication by indicatingthat research findings by scientists at thelaboratory must result in major technicalimprovements to provide a long-term solution tothe boll weevil problem. In the first seven years of research at the BollWeevil Research Laboratory, scientists madeseveral major advances. These advancementsincluded the following: (1) development of thediapause control program with a later refinementthat included insecticidal application against thelast reproducing generation for area-widesuppression of late-season populations of bollweevils; (2) discovery that male boll weevilsproduce a pheromone; (3) identification of themale produced pheromone, named grandlure,and its chemical synthesis and formulation forfield use; (4) development of the boll weevilpheromone trap; (5) development ofultra-low-volume sprays of azinphosmethyl andmalathion for boll weevil control that were lesscostly to apply and more efficient than wateremulsion sprays of the same insecticides; (6)development of mass-rearing technology for theboll weevil; and (7) verified through testing that

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busulfan effectively sterilized male boll weevils insmall scale laboratory experiments. The NationalCotton Council appointed a Beltwide Boll WeevilEradication Committee chaired by R. R. Coker thatconcluded that research advances merited effortstoward eradication of the pest. Subsequently thiscommittee appointed a site selection subcommittee. After visiting all boll weevil infested states, thesubcommittee selected southern Mississippi, withadjoining areas in Alabama and Louisiana, as a testsite that represented the most difficult area fromwhich the boll weevil would have to beeradicated--a high density boll weevil population,long growing season allowing for the developmentof many generations of boll weevils, mild wintersconducive to good winter survival, and small fieldswith many obstructions which made them difficultto treat with aircraft. The Pilot Boll Weevil Eradication Experimentwas conducted in 1971-1973 in south Mississippiand in adjacent areas of Louisiana and Alabama byAnimal Plant Health Inspection Service andAgricultural Research Service of the U. S.Department of Agriculture in cooperation with theEntomology Department, Cooperative ExtensionService, and Wildlife Department of MississippiState University,the Entomology Departments ofLouisiana State and Auburn Universities, the PlantIndustry Division of the Mississippi Department ofAgriculture and Commerce, and the NationalCotton Council of America. Each of thecomponents used in the experiment was evaluatedby scientists at the Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory. Upon completion of the experiment, theTechnical Guidance Committee for the Pilot BollWeevil Eradication Experiment concluded it wasfeasible to eliminate the boll weevil as an economicpest of cotton in the United States. The committeeof the Entomological Society of America appointedto evaluate results of the experiment concluded theboll weevil had not been eradicated from the core

area. The results of the experiment andconclusions of the Technical GuidanceCommittee were questioned by someentomologists and other scientists. To resolvethe difference the eradication effort was delayedand instead a Boll Weevil Eradication Trial wasundertaken in northeastern North Carolina withadjoining acreage in southeastern Virginia. Meanwhile the following technical advanceswere made by scientists at the Boll WeevilResearch Laboratory: (1) development of theinfield pheromone trap for suppression anddetection; (2) development of the insect growthregulator, Dimilin, for population suppression;(3) improvement of mass rearing techniques forproducing several million boll weevils per week;and (4) improvement in sterilization proceduresachieving a high degree of sterility in both sexesof the boll weevil. As the Boll Weevil Eradication Trial wasbeing implemented in North Carolina, twoscientists (E. P. Lloyd and G.H. McKibben)from the Boll Weevil Research Laboratorymoved to Raleigh, North Carolina (joined byW.A. Dickerson from Columbia, Missouri) toprovide direct research support to the trial and tocollect data for a detailed biological evaluationof the trial. Additional research support wasalso provided by the scientists who remained atthe Boll Weevil Research Laboratory. The BollWeevil Eradication Trial and the companionOptimum Pest Management Trial (PanolaCounty, Ms.) were conducted concurrently from1978-1980. Scientists from the Boll WeevilResearch Laboratory had lead roles in furtherrefining area-wide eradication and managementsuppression technology during the trials. Majorimprovements were made in trap design,pheromone dispensers, and design of trappingarrangements for suppressing and detectingincipient boll weevil populations. Both theeradication and management trials were judged

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to be biological and technical successes by theState/Federal Biological Evaluation Team, with W.H. Cross (Boll Weevil Research Laboratory) asteam leader. At the completion of the trials, a specialcommittee appointed by the National ResearchCouncil of the National Academy of Sciences didnot agree with the Biological Evaluation Teamreport. However, the Biological and EvaluationTeam report was generally accepted by cottonentomologists and the cotton industry across theCotton Belt. Since completion of the Boll Weevil EradicationTrial, elimination of the boll weevil as an economicpest of cotton has been achieved in North Carolinaand is very close to elimination in South Carolinathrough a cooperative state, federal, and producereffort. In March, 1987 the North CarolinaDepartment of Agriculture and the North CarolinaBoll Weevil Eradication Foundation held a "mock"boll weevil funeral. Extension of the eradicationeffort to Georgia, Florida, and Alabama isunderway at this writing. Late in 1981, through the efforts of theMississippi Entomological Association (MEA),Congress passed a bill changing the name of theBoll Weevil Research Laboratory to the RobeyWentworth Harned Laboratory. The bill wassigned by President Reagan changing the name ofthe Laboratory to honor Professor R. W. Harnedwho is known as the Father of Entomology inMississippi and who was in charge of cotton insectresearch for the USDA from 1931 to 1953. Thelaboratory was renamed and rededicated at theannual meeting of MEA on November 10, 1982. In 1982 T. B. Davich relinquished direction of theBoll Weevil Research Laboratory to E. P. Lloyd,who returned from North Carolina along with G. H.McKibben. Davich retired in 1983. From theperiod of January, 1982-September, 1985, sixscientists were employed at the Boll WeevilResearch Laboratory. The research thrusts of these

scientists were to develop new low costtechnologies for fringe areas of the Cotton Beltwhere the boll weevil was a sporadic problemand to develop efficient containment barriertechnology for the protection of eradicatedareas. In 1986 the direction and management of theBoll Weevil Mass Rearing Research Unit wastransferred to the Southern Field Crop InsectManagement Laboratory at Stoneville butremained in the Robert T. Gast RearingLaboratory on the Mississippi State UniversityDepartment of Entomology grounds. TheCotton Host Plant Resistance Research Unit wasplaced in the Crop Science and AgriculturalResearch Laboratory in late 1978. Thislaboratory was renamed the Crop ScienceResearch Laboratory in 1985 and became a partof the Cotton Host Plant Research ResistanceUnit. In March of 1986 the national program staff ofthe Agricultural Research Service reduced theRobey Wentworth Harned Laboratory to asix-scientist boll weevil research unit. E. P.Lloyd retired in October, 1986. On January 1,1987, J. W. Smith of the Southern Field CropInsect Management Laboratory, Stoneville,transferred to become research leader of theunit.The Boll Weevil Research Laboratory,which later became the Robey WentworthHarned Laboratory, through its research on theboll weevil has had a tremendous impact on theongoing eradication effort and on control of theboll weevil in all areas of the Cotton Belt. Staffmembers of the Laboratory received recognitionfrom the USDA by being awarded threeSuperior Service Awards. The MEA awardedfive Research Awards and one DistinguishedService Award to staff members.

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CORN INSECT RESEARCHLABORATORY

Frank M. DavisMississippi State, MS

The history of corn entomology researchconducted in Mississippi by scientists of the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture- AgriculturalResearch Service (ARS) can be divided into threeeras: the 1940's and 1950's; the 1960's; and the1970's and 1980's. In the 1940's ARS initiatedresearch on insects attacking corn at what was thencalled State College, Mississippi. According to C.A. Henderson, the first scientist assigned to thecorn project was W. A. Douglas. He was joined in1953 by C. A. Henderson, in 1954 by J. W. Ingram,in 1957 by R. A. Blanchard, and in 1958 by H. C.Cox. They were housed on the first floor of the old"Biology" building on the Mississippi StateUniversity campus. Basic and applied research was conducted on avariety of insect pests of both dent and sweet corn. Notable research accomplishments during thisperiod were the development of corn earworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie) resistant dent corn (e.g.,Dixie 18) and the management of corn earwormand fall armyworm, Spodoptera (=Laphygma)frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on sweet corn usinginsecticides. The development of resistant cornwas a joint research effort between entomologistsand ARS plant breeders located at State College.During this period, R. C.(Bob) Eckhardt and C. O.(Clarence) Grogan were the plant breeders. Also,the group cooperated during the summers with C.V. Walters, a noted sweet corn breeder from

Indiana, to develop improved sweet corn lines. All of these entomologists, with the exceptionof Douglas and Henderson, had retired ortransferred by 1960. In the 1960's the cornentomologists were relocated in the new USDABoll Weevil Research Laboratory and a newscientist, Frank M. Davis was employed in1965. A number of graduate students were trained bythe corn entomologists during these years. Theywere F. M. Davis,J. L. (Joe) Knapp, T. L. (Lloyd) Chestnut, and E.R. (Russell) Black. In addition, the research unitsponsored an undergraduate student inentomology through the college co-op program. He was Cecil Simmons, who is presently amember of the Mississippi House ofRepresentatives serving as Speaker Pro-Tem. Research during this period centered aroundthe southwestern corn borer, Diatraeagrandiosella (Dyar), a highly destructive pest thatwas detected in Mississippi in 1958 andleafhopper vectors of what was then called thecorn `stunt' viruses. During the mid-1960's ARSinitiated a plant resistance team for developingcorn varieties resistant to the southwestern cornborer. The team of Gene E. Scott as plantbreeder and Frank Davis as entomologist beganan artificial rearing program for the borer andtechniques for screening plants for resistance

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were developed. A wide variety of papers were published duringthis period on topics such as insecticide control ofthe southwestern corn borer and other insect pestsof corn; the role of the yellow-shafted (flicker)woodpecker in reducing overwintering populationsof the southwestern corn borer; femalesouthwestern corn borers attract males; amino acidsand reducing sugars in silks of corn resistant orsusceptible to corn earworms, Heliothis zea(Boddie); and competitive displacement betweennatural populations of the maize weevil, Sitophiluszeamais (Motschulsky) and the angomois grainmoth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) in Mississippi. W. A. Douglas and C. A. Henderson retired in 1970and 1972, respectively. Frank Davis joined thenewly formed Corn Host-Plant Resistance ResearchUnit that consisted of G. E. Scott (research leaderand plant breeder), Eugene Rosenkranz (plantvirologist), and M. C. Futrell (plant pathologist). The overall mission of this research unit was todevelop germplasm with resistance to the majorinsects and pathogens attacking corn in the South. In 1976 Congress appropriated new monies forexpansion of research on the southwestern cornborer. At this time, W. Paul Williams was hired asplant breeder for insect resistance and the old ’Gast'rearing rooms within the Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory were refurnished for use by cornentomology. In 1978 the Corn Unit was mergedwith the newly formed Crop Science Research Lab.under the direction of Johnie N. Jenkins. Research in this period centered on identificationand development of resistant corn to thesouthwestern corn borer and the fall armyworm,lepidopterous rearing, techniques for infesting andevaluating corn for resistance, and identification ofthe southwestern corn borer female sex pheromone. Two graduate students, J. C. (James) Boykin andSen-Seong Ng, obtained their Master of Sciencedegrees, working on corn entomology problems. The more salient research accomplishments of the

1970's and 1980's have been the release of eightinbreds and population of corn with resistance toleaf feeding by both the southwestern corn borerand the fall armyworm; the development of ahighly efficient lepidopterous rearing systemthat has been used as a model for many privateand public research programs; the identificationof the female southwestern corn borerpheromone; and the development of trappingtechnologies for using the pheromone inintegrated pest management programs.

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COTTON PHYSIOLOGY & GENETICSRESEARCH LABORATORY

Jack C. BaileyStoneville, MS

The Cotton Physiology and Genetics ResearchLaboratory along with the Southern Weed Scienceand Bioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratorieswere established in 1970. After the Narcotic InsectResearch Unit was closed in 1976, Dr. Jack C.Bailey joined the Host Plant Research ResistanceTeam of the Cotton Physiology and GeneticsResearch Laboratory that now consists of anentomologist, a geneticist, a plant physiologist, anda plant pathologist. The entomological aspect of the team has beenresponsible for research designed to: (1) Improveexisting and develop new field, greenhouse andlaboratory techniques for

screening germ plasm for resistance to insects;(2) screen and evaluate cotton germ plasm forresistance to plants; and (3) determinecooperatively with team members the genetic,chemical, physiological and/or morphologicalnature of detected resistance. Four insects: tarnished plant bug, Lyguslineolaris (Palisat de Beauvois); Heliothis spp.;spider mites, Tetranyclus spp.; and leafhoppers,various spp.), have been used in this study.Results on technique development andresistance evaluation have been published. Progress in developing resistance in the cottonplant to attacks of early-season insects ispromising.

COTTON INSECT RESEARCHLABORATORY

C.R. ParenciaStoneville, MS

In the summers of 1938 through 1945, R.L.McGarr conducted research on cotton insects,primarily the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis(Boheman) and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii

(Glover) in cooperation with the MississippiAgricultural and Forestry Experiment Stationnear State College. So far as the writerremembers, McGarr reported directly to

44

Professor R.W. Harned, who headed cotton insectresearch in the Bureau of Entomology and PlantQuarantine, USDA, from 1931 to 1953. In thewinters he studied the pink bollworm, Pectinophoragossypiella (Saunders) at the Pink BollwormLaboratory in Brownsville, Texas. In field tests at State College, Ms 1:1 and 1:2mixtures of calcium arsenate plus sulphurcontrolled boll weevils almost as well as calciumarsenate alone, with considerably lower subsequentcotton aphid populations in plots treated with themixtures. Adding derris to these materials reducedcotton aphid populations to levels in the untreatedcheck. Calcium arsenate with two percent nicotinein alternate applications and one percent in allapplications gave satisfactory control of the bollweevil,

kept cotton aphid populations at levels in theuntreated check, and increased yield, whereascalcium arsenate alone decreased yield becauseof heavy cotton aphid populations. Studies ofthe relationship of the development of cottonaphid populations, calcium arsenate used forboll weevil control, and nitrogenous fertilizersapplied to cotton showed nitrogenous fertilizersincreased cotton aphid populations when thecotton was treated with calcium arsenate, but noappreciable difference was observed whencalcium arsenate was not used. Research at State College was discontinued in1945 and McGarr headed research at asub-laboratory of the Brownsville Laboratory atSan Benito, Texas from then until 1950 when hejoined the staff of the Brownsville Laboratoryfor the remainder of his career.

IMPORTED FIRE ANT RESEARCHLABORATORY

Gulfport, MississippiW. A. Banks and B. M. Glancey

Gainesville, FL

Research on the red imported fire ant, Solenopsisinvicta (Buren), was begun by the AgriculturalResearch Service (ARS) of the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) at Gulfport,Mississippi in February, 1968. Senator SpessardHolland, then chairman of the Senate AgriculturalAppropriations Committee, requested that USDAdetermine the feasibility of eradicating fire antswith mirex bait. The Plant Protection Division(PPD) of ARS, now part of the Animal Plant Health

Inspection Service (APHIS), as the actionagency in charge of the fire ant programrequested that the research needed to answerSenator Holland's query be conducted by theEntomology Research Division (ERD), ARS. The required funding was transferred fromPPD to ERD, and two fire ant laboratories wereestablished under direction of the InsectsAffecting Man and Animals ResearchLaboratory (Iamarl), one at Gainesville, Florida

45

and the other at Gulfport. B. Michael Glancey wastransferred from Gainesville to Gulfport to establishand direct the laboratory. Staffing was completedwith the transfer to the laboratory of ClarenceStringer from PPD at Gulfport and thereassignment of Paul M. Bishop from ERD andCharles H. Craig and B. B. Martin from PPD astechnicians. The Gulfport laboratory continued as asub-laboratory of the IAMARL in Gainesville,Florida until the reorganization of ARS in 1972when it was given full laboratory status and placedunder direction of the Mississippi Valley AreaOffice at Stoneville, Mississippi. In 1972 Jerry A.Mitchell joined the staff of the laboratory after theWhite-fringed Beetle, Graphognathus spp.,Laboratory was closed. In 1976 B. B. Martintransferred to Corn Host Plant Resistance Researchat Mississippi State and was replaced by AdrianGlover. In mid-1977 Glancey returned toIAMARL and was replaced as Laboratory Directorby William A. Banks. Adrian Glover alsotransferred to Gainesville to be replaced in January1978 by Mrs. Lavenia Miles from the thenBioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory atStoneville, Mississippi. Two other additions weremade to the staff in 1978: Daniel Penningtonreplaced the late Charles H. Craig about mid year,and Donald Harlan transferred from ARS, Weslaco,Texas in October. Pennington left the laboratory in late 1980 to takea position with the U. S. Department of Interior. The group was further weakened by the unexpecteddeath of Clarence Stringer in December, 1980. Theloss of the two staff members severely hamperedthe research effort, and discussions were begun in1981 concerning options for refilling the positionsor consolidating all the ARS fire ant research atGainesville. Selection of the latter option, whichwas already being seriously considered in light ofincreasing inflation and costs, was influenced bythe decision of Harlan to leave USDA to enter

private business in October, 1981. The Gulfport laboratory played a veryimportant part in the research conducted on thefire ant during the almost 16 years of the lab'sexistence. The unit cooperated with theGainesville laboratory in conducting one of thethree large scale eradication trials thatdetermined eradication of the fire ant with mirexbait was technically feasible. After eradicationtrials, the Gulfport laboratory demonstrated forthe first time the existence of a replete caste inthe fire ant, the production of trophic eggs by thefire ant queen, and the production of larval andqueen pheromones by fire ants. Researchshowed conclusively the presence of multiplefertile queens in fire ant colonies, a phenomenonthat continues to be investigated and that mayultimately prove to be one of the mostsignificant discoveries concerning fire ants. Thelaboratory also played a very significant role inproposing and evaluating the dispersal of baitsutilizing wind currents. This finding alonesaved several million dollars in application costsduring the large mirex treatment programs forfire ant abatement in the 1970's. Following thewithdrawal of mirex registrations in the late1970's, the Gulfport laboratory played a veryimportant role in testing and developing"Amdro" and "Logic", two baits currentlymarketed for fire ant control.

1

SOUTHERN FIELD CROPINSECT MANAGEMENT LABORATORY

AND ITS PREDECESSORSC. R. Parencia and D. F. Martin

Stoneville, MS

The Delta Cotton Insect InvestigationsLaboratory, Division of Cotton Insects, Bureauof Entomology and Plant Quarantine, U.S.D.A,was established in 1934 in Stoneville incooperation with the Mississippi AgriculturalExperiment Station. The laboratory wasestablished to investigate problems relating tothe overall control of cotton insects, withparticular emphasis on plant characteristics inrelation to insect abundance and to developspecific controls for major cotton pests in theupper Delta area. E. W. Dunnam established the laboratory andremained in charge until he retired in 1955. M.E. Merkl joined the staff in 1953 and served asentomologist-in-charge from 1955 until 1963when he transferred to the Boll WeevilResearch Laboratory at Mississippi StateUniversity. T. R. Pfrimmer served asentomologist-in-charge from 1963 to 1967,when D. F. Martin became laboratory leader. Research conducted at the laboratory hadconsiderable impact on the development of thenew organochlorine, organophosphorous, andcarbamate insecticides and their applications asemulsion sprays for the control of cotton insectsin the mid-1940's and the 1950's. It also playedan important role in the development ofsystemic insecticides applied as seed treatments

or as granule formulations applied in-furrow atplanting for control of early-season cottoninsects in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1953 a program was initiated at Stonevilleto determine the insect species involved in thetransmission of anaplasmosis of cattle and todevelop controls for insects responsible fortransmission of the disease. Calvin Jonesinitiated a two-month survey in April, 1953,before Leyburn F. Lewis was transferred toStoneville in June, 1953, to assumeresponsibility for the program. Robert H.Hoffman replaced Lewis in 1956, and theprogram was expanded into a full program onresearch of livestock pests of the mid-delta. Hoffman was replaced by Robert H. Roberts in1961. In August, 1967 research on soybean insectsat Stoneville was initiated by the Grain andForage Insect Research Branch of theEntomology Research Division, AgriculturalResearch Service (ARS), and Jack C. Baileywas assigned to conduct the research. Host plantresistance, systemic insecticides, and insectsurvey projects were initiated. The soybeaninsects project became a part of theBioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory in1970. In 1970 the Cotton Insects, Livestock Insects,

2

and Soybean Insects Laboratories became a partof the newly established BioenvironmentalInsects Control Laboratory. The livestockinsect research was discontinued in 1975, andthe soybean insect research was moved to theSoybean Production Research Unit in 1976. A growing concern over the potential adverseeffects of insecticides in the agriculturalenvironment that culminated in reported fishkills in the Mississippi and other rivers led tocongressional appropriations for a new insectcontrol laboratory at Stoneville, Mississippi. The purpose of the new laboratory was todevelop ways of meeting insect problems thatwould avoid or minimize the use of broadspectrum, residue-forming, and persistentinsecticides that could pose immediate orlong-range hazards to man, fish, wildlife,beneficial insects, and other organisms in theenvironment. Appropriated funds for construction of thelaboratory were released in December, 1967.The entomology laboratory, named"Bioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory,"was one of three laboratories to be housed inwhat is now known as the Jamie Whitten DeltaState Research Center. Construction of thelaboratory began in July, l968 and wascompleted in August, 1970. The laboratorydirector, Dial F. Martin, was moved toStoneville in May, 1968. Entomologists atStoneville who had been quartered with theDelta Branch Experiment Station of theMississippi Agricultural and ForestryExperiment Station began moving into the newbuilding in September, 1970. The first fundingfor the new staff was released in early spring,1971. The mission of the laboratory was todevelop ways of meeting insect problems thatwould avoid or minimize the use of broadspectrum, persistent insecticides that may poseimmediate or long range hazards to man and his

environment. The name of the laboratory was changed toSouthern Field Crop Insect ManagementLaboratory in 1981. The mission of thelaboratory was and is to improve cropproduction efficiency by improving biological,chemical, genetic, and cultural control tactics. These efforts are supported by basic research onthe biology and population ecology of insectpests and their natural enemies. The laboratoryalso includes the Stoneville ResearchQuarantine Facility, through which organismsmay be imported, and an insect rearing sectionfor supporting research. The Pecan ProductionResearch Unit was placed under the supervisionof this laboratory in 1986. The Boll WeevilRearing Research Unit of the R. W. HarnedBoll Weevil Research Laboratory at MississippiState Universitywas placed under thesupervision of this laboratory in 1985, though itremained in the Robert T. Gast Insect RearingLaboratory Facility on the grounds of theEntomology Department, Mississippi StateUniversity. The laboratory, as did its predecessors,continues to impact Delta cotton productionsystems through its extensive research on insectspecies attacking cotton. E. G. King islaboratory director. The laboratory has served the cottonproducers well over the years with its extensiveevaluation program on the efficacy of candidateinsecticides against various insects. Its researchon control of early-season cotton insects hasresulted in increased yields and two weekearlier plant maturity than in untreated fields. Incooperation with the DBES it has developed themale sterile hybrid concept for controlling thetobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens(Fabricius), on cotton. Development oftechnology for mass producing millions oftobacco budworm hybrids made possible the

3

testing of the male sterile hybrid concept on theIsland of St. Croix, 1976-1980. Populationswere reduced to an extremely low level,indicating the concept merited testing on themainland. Also, in cooperation with DBES ithas contributed considerably to knowledge ofbollworm, Heliothis zea (Bodde), and tobaccobudworm populations early in the season overlarge areas. Much work has been done onbollworm and tobacco budworm populations onearly-season host plants and their relationship toearly infestations in cotton. Results of studieson controlling the two species on early-seasonwild host plants have been so promising that thestudy has been expanded to cover a larger area.The control of the two species with predatorsand parasites and the migration of the twospecies are being investigated. Several speciesof insects are mass reared in the Insect RearingUnit and are made available in cooperation withthe Cotton Foundation to scientists, public andprivate, in various laboratories having need forthem in their research programs.

Personnel

Name DegreeEmployed

Adair, H. M. Ph.D. 1978-79 *Bailey, J. C. Ph.D. 1967-89 *Beland, G. L. Ph.D. 1972-79 *Bell, J. V. Ph.D. 1972-82 *Bell, M. R. Ph.D. 1985-Present*Brewer, F. D. Ph.D. 1970-84 *Calhoun, S. L. B.S. 1944-51 *Cleveland, T. C. M.S. 1974-Present*Dunnam, E. W. Ph.D. 1936-55 *Furr, R. E. Ph.D. 1952-82 *Harlin, D. P. M.S. 1972-74 *Harrison, W. W. M.S. 1983-Present*Hatchett, J. H. Ph.D. 1973-75 *Hoffman, R. A. M.S. 1957-61 *Hopper, K. R. Ph.D. 1983-Present*Jones, Walker Ph.D. 1980-85

*King, C. E. Ph.D. 1954-58 *King, E. G. Ph.D. 1972-88 *Lambert, Lavone Ph.D. 1980-Present Laster, M. L. Ph.D. 1959-Present*Lewis, L. F. B.S. 1953-56 *Lloyd, E. P. Ph.D. 1956-63 *Martin, D. F. Ph.D. 1968-80 *Merkl, M. E. Ph.D. 1953-63 *Parencia, C. R. B.S. 1977-80 *Pfrimmer, T. R. Ph.D. 1957-85 *Polles, S. G. Ph.D. 1977-80 *Powell, Janine E. Ph.D. 1981-Present*Roberts, R. H. Ph.D. 1961-75 *Roth, J. P. Ph.D. 1977-78 *Scales, A. L. B.S. 1963-73 *Scott, W. P. M.S. 1976-Present*Smith, J. W. Ph.D. 1971-86 Smith, W. R. B.S. 1948-50 *Snodgrass, G. L. Ph.D. 1981-Present*Stadelbacher, E. A. Ph.D. 1964-Present*Stark, S. B. Ph.D. 1984-85 *Young, O. P. Ph.D. 1983-Present * Employee of Federal cooperating agency.

4

SOUTHERN FORESTEXPERIMENT STATION

Forestry Sciences LaboratoryWood Products Insect Research Project

Joe K. MauldinGulfport, MS

The current mission of the project is to developchemical, biological, or physical methods ofcontrolling or preventing damage to stored orin-use wood by termites; Reticulitermes spp., andwood-destroying beetles; Dendroctonus spp, Scolytusspp, or Amphicerus spp. With some temporaryadditions and deletions, this mission has remainedsince the research was begun in the mid-1930's. In 1938 Harmon R. Johnston was assigned as thefirst entomologist in the Project and was stationedat the Harrison Experimental Forest, about 20 milesnorth of Gulfport in the Desoto National Forest. His research assignment dealt with the biology andcontrol of subterranean termites and ambrosiabeetles, Amphicerus spp. Johnston was under thedirection of T. E. Snyder, who was stationed inNew Orleans, Louisiana, headquarters for theSouthern Forest Experiment Station. Snyder, whowas an internationally known and respected termitespecialist, was the first entomologist assigned to theSouthern Forest Experiment Station in 1934. In 1945 the U. S. Army Corps of Engineersprovided funds to greatly expand the research oncontrol of subterranean termites. About this timeSnyder transferred to Washington, D. C., and hissuccessor, Joseph R. Kowal, was stationed atGulfport. In 1946 three additional entomologists (SamDews, J. Vaugh, and Herb Secrest) were employed,

making a total of five professional entomologistsattached to the Gulfport Project at that time. The Project was mainly involved in woodproducts insect research, but some time wasdevoted to studying and makingrecommendations concerning control of insectsattacking forest trees. Two new entomologists (John F. Coyne andRobert Morris) were employed in 1948 toreplace Dews and Vaughn, and the research wasexpanded to include sawflies, Neodiprion spp.;ips bark beetles, Ips spp.; southern pine beetles,Dendroctonus frontalis (Zimmerman); and blackturpentine beetles, Dendroctonus terebranc(Olivier). This Project was responsible for allwork on forest insects for the Southern ForestExperiment Station (Alabama, Arkansas,Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and EastTexas) and for all work in the United States oninsects attacking wood products. In 1955 Morris and all work on insects thatattach living hardwood trees was transferred toStoneville, Mississippi. In 1961 all research oninsects attacking living southern pines wastransferred to Alexandria, Louisiana. Woodproducts insect research remained at Gulfport. Coyne remained in Gulfport, but his researchconcerned southern pine beetles and treegenetics. Following are personnel changes from

4848

1946 to 1958: R. E. Lee was hired in 1951 toreplace Coyne, who was transferred to Liberty,Texas, to work on the southern pine beetle; Morriswas reassigned to the Panama Canal Zone in 1952to begin accelerated testing of new insecticidesagainst termites; and two more entomologists(Virgil K. Smith and Raymond H. Beal) were hiredin 1956 and 1958, respectively. Johnston wasappointed Project Leader at Gulfport in 1954 whenKowal transferred to Asheville, North Carolina. However, the number of scientists engaged in thisresearch remained about the same, three or four. Studies were initiated from 1946 to 1958 thatresulted in improved control methods forsubterranean termites. Some of the studies are stillin progress on the Harrison Experimental Forest. These are the studies that proved the effectivenessof the organochlorine insecticides aldrin, chlordane,dieldrin, and heptachlor for subterranean termiteprevention and control. These chemicals have beenused successfully to protect wooden buildings andother wood products in the United States for morethan 30 years. Control methods for ambrosiabeetles and bark beetles in logs and pulpwood werealso developed. Benzene hexachloride was proveneffective against ambrosia beetles, bark beetles, andsouthern pine beetles. Lindane (the gamma isomerof BHC) is still being used to protect green logsfrom ambrosia beetles. Snyder's work resulted in aseries of classical publications of worldwideimportance that dealt with a "Catalog of theTermites (Isoptera) of the World." In 1965 considerable pesticide research monieswere allotted to the Project to expand the researchon wood products insects. As a result, threeprofessional entomologists (Richard V. Smythye,Joe K. Mauldin, and J. P. Secrest) were employed.A chemist (Fairie Lyn Carter) was employed in1965, and in 1967 another entomologist, Lonnie H.Williams, was employed to fill the position vacatedby Secrest. The number of scientists at this timewas six.

In 1969 the Project was divided into twoprojects. One headed by Johnston, was devotedto the control of subterranean termites andpowderpost beetles. The other, headed by Dr.Smythe, was devoted to developing new, safe,and effective control techniques based on studiesof the biology, behavior, and physiology ofsubterranean termites and powderpost beetles. After Johnston retired in 1971, V. K. Smithserved as project leader for the control part ofthe work until 1973 when the two projects werecombined into one, with Smythe serving as theProject Leader. Smythe transferred toWashington in 1974. Michael I. Haverty wasappointed as Project Leader and Ralph W.Howard as a chemist in 1975. Mauldin wasappointed Project Leader in 1977 after Havertytransferred to California and continues as ProjectLeader. Carter, who retired in 1984, wasreplaced by C. A. McDaniel, and Howardtransferred to Manhattan, Kansas. Virgil Smithretired in 1980 and was replaced by Susan Jonesin 1981. Ray Beal retired in 1986 and BradfordKard was hired in 1987. Results from the research conducted by thisproject have been used to protect millions ofwooden structures and wooden products fromdamage by subterranean termites andwood-destroying beetles. However, thescientists in the Unit continue to search for newand safer chemicals and methods for protectingwood because of the controversy about thechemicals now in use. Based on data from theGulfport Unit, the Environmental ProtectionAgency has registered and approved labels forthree chemicals since 1980. These chemicalsare chlorpyrifos (Dursban), isofenphos (Pryfon6), and permethrin (Torpedo and Dragnet). Currently the Unit is continuing to search foralternative soil treatment chemicals, evaluatingborate compounds for wood protection, testing abait-toxicant method of termite control, and

4949

extracting and identifying chemicals from naturallytermite resistant woods for evaluation as woodprotecting chemicals.

SOUTHERN FORESTEXPERIMENT STATION

Southern Hardwoods Laboratory

SOUTHERN HARDWOOD INSECTAND

DISEASE RESEARCHJ. D. Solomon

Stoneville, MS

Hardwood forest research at Stoneville beganwith a test planting by Mississippi State Universityin 1937. Two years later, in 1939, a cooperativeagreement for hardwood research was madebetween the Southern Forest Experiment Stationand the Mississippi Agricultural ExperimentStation under the Norris-Doxey Farm Forestry Act. Early in 1940, the man who was later to be knownaffectionately as "Mr. Hardwoods," John A.Putnam, came to Stoneville to organize a researchproject in hardwood management. In 1945 theStoneville program had three scientists with officesin the Delta Branch Experiment Station buildingand officially became a branch of the SouthernForest Experiment Station, called the DeltaResearch Center. The early 1950's saw an expansion of Stoneville'sresearch program. Robert C. Morris, the firstentomologist, joined the staff in 1954 and began theinsect research program. His early work dealt

mainly with losses from defects caused by insectborers. In 1958 K. M. Peterson worked for oneyear on cottonwood insects. J. D. Solomonjoined the research center in 1961. Thefollowing year, 1962, a new laboratory facilitywith 18,000 square feet of research space wasdedicated by Senator John C. Stennis. At thattime, the official name was changed from DeltaResearch Center to Southern HardwoodsLaboratory. Also in 1962 the research wasreorganized into three projects, with R. C.Morris becoming Project Leader of the insectproject. In the 1960's Morris' major efforts weredevoted to cottonwood insects, forest tentcaterpillar, Malacosoma disstria (Hubner), andlosses caused by insect borers. Solomon wasconcerned primarily with the insect borers ofoaks and other hardwood species. In 1969 L. P. Abrahamson joined the insectproject. His responsibilities were developing

5050

chemical controls and gathering impact data for theforest tent caterpillar, a defoliator of gum forestsprimarily in the flooded river bottoms of Alabamaand Louisiana. He was also involved with testingchemicals for control of several cottonwood pests. Abrahamson left the project in 1973 to accept aposition with State and Private Forestry in Atlanta,GA. Forrest L. Oliveria came to Stoneville in 1976. His work was concerned primarily withcottonwood insects, with emphasis on natural andchemical control of the cottonwood leaf beetle,Chrysomela scripta (Fabricius), and the poplartentmaker, Ichthyura inclusa (Hubner). Also he wasinvolved with measuring the impact of defoliationby the poplar tentmaker. Oliveria transferred toState and Private Forestry in Alexandria, LA, in1979. In 1976 Bob Morris retired and T. H. Filerbecame Project Leader of both the insect anddisease projects. Reflecting over a 31-year careerwith the Forest Service, Morris pioneered much ofthe early research on southern hardwood insects. He developed the earliest impact data resultingfrom defects caused by insect borers in hardwoods(losses averaged $21 per Mbf). His procedureswere later used by other regions to generate impactestimates, and his loss figures are still referencedtoday by those who write about this group ofinsects. Through his work on cottonwood insects,he was elected secretary-treasurer of the PoplarCouncil of the United States in 1970. He becameactive in the International Poplar Commission andmade several trips to European countries and Chinato study and consult on the insect pests of Populus. Solomon's work on the insect borers of hardwoodsis well known. Bark indicators (active attacks andover-grown bark scars) have been characterized sothat evaluation techniques can be developed forborer infestations. A major component of the sexpheromone of the carpenterworm, Prionoxystusrobiniae (Peck), has been identified, synthesized,and found to be competitive with virgin females in

attractancy. The pheromone and its isomershave been effective in attracting four species ofborers in the family Cossidae. Survey and control procedures utilizing thesynthetic pheromone are yet being pursued. Research has revealed that borer-caused lossescan be minimized with practices that encouragenatural enemies, by removing brood trees, bypreventing bark injuries, by promoting treevigor, and by using chemicals through trunkspray or gallery injection. Biological control ofinsect borers with pathogenic fungi and parasiticnematodes looks promising in current studies. A recent study described and illustrated 16 kindsof insect borer-caused defects in hardwoodlumber that could be used to manufacturecharacter-marked products of exceptional beautyfor decorative purposes. A major effort toprepare a guide book covering and illustrating300 species of insect borers of hardwood trees isunderway. The Project (1954-present) has made somesignificant contributions to the field ofhardwood entomology. In addition to thosecontributions already mentioned, the Project hasidentified the important insect pests of southernhardwoods and is developing working biologiesof the major species. Illustrated guides to pestsof cottonwood, sycamore, oak, pecan, andhickory have been published, and another guideto the pests of green ash is in preparation. Research revealed that the growth of gumforests defoliated by the forest tent caterpillarwas reduced by 50%. Chemicals, rates, andtiming of applications were also worked out. Insect impact studies in intensively culturedcottonwood plantings showed that losses can besubstantial. In nurseries, growth loss and cullsfrom insect damage can reduce production byone-third. Plantations have suffered frominsect-caused growth loss, stem deformity, andmortality. Methods for predicting losses and

5151

controlling infestations are being formulated into amanagement guide for growers. Future researchwill determine causes of increased oak mortality inthe South and develop hazard ratings for such adecline in stands and will develop biologicalcontrols for the major insect borers. Solomon is theonly entomologist currently at the Laboratory, butadditional work is supported through cooperativegrants at Mississippi State University and theUniversity of Kentucky.

NARCOTIC INSECTRESEARCH UNIT

Jack C. BaileyStoneville, MS

In 1972 the Insect Identification and ParasiteIntroduction Research Branch initiated a project atStoneville on the ARS Laboratory grounds todetermine whether insects might be used to controlof narcotic plants. Jack C. Bailey, who served asresearch leader for the Soybean Insect ResearchUnit, was appointed research leader for the newunit in March, 1972. He spent the first two yearshelping design and overseeing construction of afacility that was to be the finest phytophagousinsect quarantine facility in the world. Equipmentwas purchased and staff hired during the two yearconstruction period. The opium poppy was selected for this research. Two host specific beetles were researched, with oneshowing promise in controlling the opium poppy. With a change in the National Administration, theproject lost support and the work was discontinuedin 1977. The outstanding contribution of theproject was making possible the availability of afine quarantine facility. After the narcotic insectresearch project was discontinued, the quarantinefacility was converted to a conventional quarantine

facility. Beginning in 1978 the Southern WeedScience Laboratory and the Southern Field CropInsect Management Laboratory jointly used it. Since 1985 the facility has become an importantquarantine facility managed and operated by theSouthern Field Crop Insect ManagementLaboratory.

5252

PECAN PRODUCTIONRESEARCH UNIT

Vernon CalcoteStoneville, MS

Pecan production research with USDA, ARS wasestablished in 1976 to satisfy research andExtension needs of pecan producers in theMississippi Delta. The unit immediately began aresearch program to study the biology, ecology, andcontrol of various insects that attack pecans and totest pecan selections for their adaptability to themid-south area. The first research entomologistresponsible directly to the Area Director

was Sammy Polles, who conducted an extensiveresearch program from 1976 to 1980. FollowingPolles, David Drews, a horticulturist, served asresearch leader from 1982 to 1984. He wasfollowed by Vernon Calcote in 1984. In late1986, the unit was moved to the Southern FieldCrop Insect Management Laboratory with J. W.Smith as research leader.

SOUTHERN WEED SCIENCELABORATORY

Neal R. SpencerStoneville, MS

In June of 1971 Kenneth E. Frick, a researchentomologist with the ARS of the U.S.D.A., wastransferred from California to Stoneville, MS todevelop a biological control of weeds researchprogram for the Mississippi Delta. In April, 1972 areorganization occurred in the ARS and the oldbranch system was changed to a regional and areastructure. This placed Frick in the Southern WeedScience Laboratory (SWSL) under C.R. Swanson. The SWSL staff, working on the biocontrol ofweeds, was increased in 1972 by the addition ofGeorge Vogt, who came from the insectidentification group at the Smithsonian Institution. He had done the preliminary foreign studies on theinsects to control alligatorweed and thus had an

excellent background for the Stonevilleprogram. In June, 1972, P.C. Quimby arrivedfrom New Mexico who was interested in aquaticweed control and thus worked as a team withVogt. In 1978 Quimby became research leaderof the biological control of weeds group withinSWSL. C. G. McWhorter assumed the directorship ofthe SWSL in 1974 and overall responsibility forthe biological control of weeds researchprogram. Frick developed a research program on thebiological control of purple nutsedge, Cyperusrotundus L. He carried out extensive testing ofthe indigenous moth, Bactra verntana (Zeller)

5353

and studied the host specificity, biology, andrearing methods to increase its effectiveness as abiological control agent. Insects to control alligatorweed, Alternantheraphiloxeroides (Mart.) were first investigated byGeorge Vogt in South America. As a direct resultof this research, three insect species were importedinto the U.S. for alligatorweed control. The threeintroduced species were Aqasicles hygrophila(Selman & Vogt), Amynothrips andersoni (O'Neill),and Vogtia malloi Pastrana- the genus named afterVogt. From 1973 through 1982 Quimby and Vogtstudied alligatorweed/insect/and weatherinteraction throughout the lower Mississippi Valleyand east Texas. They concluded that, the insectshave encountered a harsher climate in NorthAmerica than in South America, biological controlof alligatorweed can be termed a success. Quimby and Vogt also observed the effects ofSouth American insect introductions onwaterhyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Together with Ron Baer, Patricia O'Leary, StratfordKay and Johnny Ouzts, they investigated theaugmentation of the native noctuid, Arzama(Bellura) densa (Walker) for control ofwaterhyacinth. Walker Jones, working in theSouthern Field Crop Insect ManagementLaboratory ARS/USDA, Stoneville, Mississippi,was also interested in biological control of weeds. He first worked on a native rhopalid, Niestrhrealouisianica, for control of velvetleaf, Abutilontheophrasti (Medic). He also investigated thepotential for biological control of such weeds asballoon vine, Cardiospermum halicacabum(Linnaeus). Neal R. Spencer moved from the BiologicalControl of Weeds Lab-Eurpope to the SWSL in1982. He began work on the biological control ofcurly dock, Rumes crispus. Two hundred insectspecies were collected from Rumex in Europe, twoof which were evaluated for their potential asbiocontrol agents of curly dock. Pyropteron

chrysidiforme (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae), whilelittle known in Europe, shows favorablebiocontrol potential and may be useful in theUnited States and Australia after further testing. Velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti, a weed found incorn, cotton, and soybeans, may be the mosteconomically important weed ever targeted forbiological control. This cropland weed requires$340 million yearly in control efforts. NealSpencer researched and published the history ofvelvetleaf's introduction into the United Statesand the economics of its impact on agriculture. Together with Steve Stegink, he looked at theorigin of velvetleaf to develop a search plan forbiocontrol agents. Additional papers cover theuse of a native insect and plant pathogens forcontrol of velvetleaf reproduction. The workwas discontinued in the Southern Weed ScienceLaboratory and Spencer joined the staff of theSouthern Field Crop Insect ManagementLaboratory in January of 1986.

5454

USDA SOYBEAN PRODUCTIONRESEARCH UNIT

Lavone LambertStoneville, MS

The USDA initiated a small soybean researchprogram at Stoneville, MS in 1943 with oneresearch agronomist. The early research wasdirected toward identifying and developing highyielding cultivars. From 1948 to 1967 much of theresearch effort was directed toward developingcultivars with resistance to diseases and to soybeancyst nematode. During this time a researchgeneticist and a research plant pathologist wereadded to the unit. In 1968 the first entomological research wasconducted. Edgar E. Hartwig, Research Leader ofthe Soybean Production Research Unit, ARS, andSam G. Turnipseed and John W. Van Duyn,Clemson University, conducted cooperative studiesat the South Carolina Blackville Research Station. They evaluated 426 accessions from theUSDA-ARS soybean germplasm collection forresistance to damage by the Mexican bean beetle,Epilachna varivestis (Mulsant). This cooperativeresearch resulted in the identification of threeaccessions that were highly resistant to foliarfeeding by the Mexican bean beetle. The firstresearch in Mississippi connected with the SoybeanProduction Research Unit was begun in 1969 atMississippi State University by W. J. Clark, F.Aubrey Harris, Fowden G. Maxwell, and Edgar E.Hartwig. Results of this research showed thesoybean accessions identified in South Carolina asbeing resistant to Mexican bean beetle were alsoresistant to foliar feeding by bean leaf beetle,Ceratoma trifurcata (Forster), striped blister beetle,Epicauta vittata (Fabricino), and bollworm, Heliothis zea

(Boddie). The reason for the first entomological researchconducted by the Soybean Production ResearchUnit being conducted cooperatively withentomologists at other locations was that noentomologist at Stoneville was assigned toconduct research on soybean. However, in1975, Jimmy H. Hatchett transferred to theBioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory,now the Southern Field Crop InsectManagement Laboratory, at Stoneville toconduct research with soybean insects. Also,Gary L. Beland, in addition to conductingresearch with corn insects, expanded hisprogram to include studies with insects thatattacked soybean. A cooperative researchprogram was developed by the SoybeanProduction Research Unit with theBioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory. Studies were conducted to characterize theresistance of the three resistant accessionsidentified in South Carolina, and a breedingprogram was begun to develop cultivars withhigh levels of resistance to foliar-feeding insects. In 1977 Hatchett transferred to Manhatten,Kansas to research resistance to the Hessian Fly,Mayetiola destructar (Say) in wheat. At that timeBeland transferred to the Soybean ProductionResearch Unit. Thus, Beland was the firstentomologist to conduct research within theUnit. Beland continued on the staff until 1979when he resigned his appointment to accept aposition with Funk Seeds International at

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Bloomington, Illinois. In January, 1980 Lavone Lambert accepted theposition vacated by Beland. Before joining theSoybean Production Research Unit he served assoybean entomologist with the MississippiCooperative Extension Service. The positionwithin the Soybean Unit had been vacant theprevious year, and in addition, during the year, thebiological technician assigned to the positionaccepted reassignment to another location. Therefore, it was necessary to reestablish a researchprogram and to rebuild the supporting staff. Historically, the position had served primarily tosupport the comprehensive, long-term breedingprogram. A major portion of the scientific effortwas directed toward maintaining and rearinglaboratory cultures of corn earworm and soybeanlooper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) and inmaintaining several large (1/6 acre) wood-framedfield cages for use in screening material developedin the breeding program. In 1981 the InsectRearing Unit of the Southern Field Crop InsectManagement Laboratory began to rear all insectsrequired in the Soybean Production Research Unit'sprogram. This greatly increased the efficiency ofthe soybean host plant's resistance to insectsresearch by eliminating the scientific and technicalman hours required to rear insects, freeing valuablelaboratory space and equipment for research use,and making available greater numbers of insectsand more species than were possible throughlaboratory rearing. In addition, the large,wood-frame field cages used in the researchprogram were redesigned. The six redesignedmetal-frame cages, in addition to reducing cagecosts, reduced the labor required for conductingresearch and for cage maintenance. These changesallowed the establishment of a strong,comprehensive research program with a staff offour people while maintaining the support effort forthe breeding program. Within the breeding program, a research team

consisting of an entomologist, a geneticist, and aplant breeder conduct studies on the genetics ofinsect resistance and the development ofsoybean genotypes resistant to insect damage. An insect resistant cultivar has been developedand will be released within the near future. Additional areas of research by this teaminclude: (1) identifying unknown sources ofresistance; (2) evaluating known sources ofresistance; (3) determining injury thresholds forinsect resistant genotypes; (4) identifying themechanisms of resistance; (5) studying theinfluence of insect resistance on injurious andbeneficial insects; (6) conducting ecological andbiological investigations necessary to accelerateprogress in all areas of study.

5656

MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURALAVIATION ASSOCIATION


In 1949 an attempt was made to form a StateAgricultural Aviation Association. The effortfailed until 1956, when a small group discussion ledby Larry Wade, Mabry Anderson, and C. A. "Bud"Moore led to a spring meeting at Mickey'sBarbecue place near Greenville. From thethirty-one members present, the following wereelected as officers: Mabry Anderson - temporarypresident, Vic Sutter - vice president, and LarryWade - secretary/treasurer. An official charter for this new association, "TheMississippi Aerial Applicators' Association," wasadopted in Clarksdale on June 4, 1956. The firstlegal convention was held in February, 1957, at theold Edgewater Gulf Hotel, where the Constitutionand By-laws were adopted with the primarypurpose of the association being to promote goodrelations among operators and public figures. Meetings with government bodies, ExtensionService, and researchers soon resulted in fundingfor research with aircraft and equipment. Membership and participation soon flourishedunder the guidance of Cy Emery and a newexecutive director, George Bullard. A number ofaffiliate members who were associated with AlliedIndustries and various ag chemical firms becameinterested. After several years Bullard resigned to devote histime to teaching. Mabry Anderson was hired andcontinues to conduct business and conventionaffairs of the association. Much has been done topromote the image of "crop dusters" by MAAA. Alot of time was spent on TV and radio agricultural

promotional programs and related activities. Following are accomplishments of MAAA:instituted and helped fund research on aerialapplication aircraft and equipment that resultedin opening a research lab, later to be named theRaspet Flight Research Laboratory at MSU (forAugust Raspet); lowered the advolorem-tax onaerial application aircraft to the same rate as thatof other farm equipment; played a big role inadoption of FAA regulations now in effect;lowered Work Compensation rates from$24.00/$100.00 earned to $7.20/$100.00 earned;established an Agricultural Aviation Board in1966 that allowed the industry to govern itself;gained national recognition for safety programsin agricultural spraying, working closely withthe Extension Entomology Department inencouraging members to attend the Fly-In's todetermine swath width and heights, droplet size,etc., of their planes; played a major role in theorganization of the National AgriculturalAviation Association in 1966 at the MississippiConvention resulting in Dick Reade, a memberof MEA, being elected president in theorganizational meeting held in Las Vegas;supports the MEA (its president serves as aMEA Director each year).

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MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURALCHEMICALS COUNCIL

Joe HardyJackson, MS

The Mississippi Plant Food Council, theorganization which preceded the MississippiAgricultural Chemicals Council, was organized about 1960. As the name implies, the originalagricultural chemicals organization was organizedby the plant food industry. Prominent members ofthe plant food industry, the Commissioner ofAgriculture and Commerce, and Extensionpersonnel were active in the formation of theorganization. The earliest available written recordindicates the third annual meeting (August, 1962)was held at the Broadwater Beach Hotel in Biloxi.From that date, although at different hotels, allannual meetings have been held on the MississippiGulf Coast. The organization's first constitution and by-lawswere adopted on August 9, 1962, at a specialmeeting in Jackson, Mississippi. On September 30,1969 the membership voted to make theorganization more representative of the entireagricultural chemicals industry by changing itsname to the Mississippi Agricultural ChemicalsCouncil (MACC). A special meeting of theorganization was held in Jackson on December 13,1982 to amend the constitution and by-laws inorder for the MACC to gain tax exempt status withthe Internal Revenue Service. Tax exempt statuswas subsequently granted by the IRS. From theirbeginning the Plant Food Council and theChemicals Council have been active in state andnational organizations and causes related to thechemicals industry. The organization becameaffiliated with the National Plant Food Council on

August 15, 1962 and became a member of theNational Agricultural Chemicals Association(NACA) and Southern Agricultural ChemicalsAssociation (SACA) in 1973. Additionally, theCouncil maintains active membership in theCouncil of Agricultural Science and Technology(CAST), the Association of MississippiAgricultural Organizations (AMAO), and theFertilizer Organization Council of the UnitedStates (FOCUS). The Council has continued to be active as aneducational organization. In 1971 a decisionwas made to sponsor clinics to help farmers anddealers with their fertility problems and thecalibration of their fertilizer equipment. Thefirst such clinics were held in January, 1972 andwere scheduled annually until 1981. In 1981 itwas decided that the fertility clinics and fertilizerspreader clinics would be held on alternateyears. The Council sponsored its first chemicalsequipment calibration clinic at the Delta BranchExperiment Station in February, 1983 and itsfirst annual safety seminar in February, 1984. Over the years the Council has sponsoredvarious other programs and seminars forfarmers, dealers, and others in the chemicalsindustry as well as other projects, such as theMississippi Agricultural and Forestry andNational Agricultural Aviation Museum, theHold Our Topsoil program, and educationalefforts of CAST. The Council has been a strongsupporter of educating young people. Ascholarship program was begun with the

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awarding of a $150 scholarship to a senioragronomy student at Mississippi State University in1965. The annual scholarship was increased to$300 in 1970, with the classification of the recipientchanged to an agriculture school major in his junioryear. In 1975 the annual scholarship was increasedto $500, in 1976 to two $600 scholarships, and tothree $600 scholarships in 1984. Additionally,

in 1985 the Council entered an agreement withMississippi State University to become a patronof excellence. Under terms of the patron ofexcellence agreement the Council pledgeddonations of $10,000 over a ten-year period. The Council has developed three awards tohonor its outstanding members. They are "TheMan of the Year, "The Masters Award," and foroutstanding members who are retiring, "LifetimeMembership."

MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURALCONSULTANTS ASSOCIATION

F. Aubrey HarrisStoneville, MS

andC. A. WilsonStarkville, MS

The Mississippi Agricultural ConsultantsAssociation (MACA) started as informal weeklymeetings of consulting entomologists to havedinner and discuss common problems and theirsolutions. The first of these meetings was held inJune, 1956 at Naaman's Motel in Greenwood,Mississippi. Participating consultants liked thefellowship and exchange of information so theycontinued meeting for many years before seeing aneed for a professional organization. MACA wasformed at a meeting, March 6-7, 1973, at a pestmanagement workshop in Grenada, Mississippi. Officers elected were: Bill Harris, president; ArgieWilson, vice president; Jimmy Thompson,secretary-treasurer; and Mills Rogers, director. The association has continued to hold annualmeetings which are recognized by the Division ofPlant Industry as approved workshops for annualrenewal of a consultant license. Members are

currently informed on the latest informationrelating to consulting. The purpose of MACA isto help promote, upgrade and maintain thebusiness of agricultural consulting as aprofession, and to distinguish for the publicbetween professional consultants (employed fora fee) and those who may have a conflict ofinterest in giving advice on pest management. The organization now has about 90 membersand continues to be active in promoting theinterests of the profession in Mississippi.

5959

MISSISSIPPI BEEKEEPERSASSOCIATION


Beekeeping is the oldest entomologicalprofession in Mississippi. It is believed the firsthives in Mississippi arrived in Natchez by boateither upstream or downstream of the MississippiRiver. In the 1770-1775 era, according to onewriter, "it was a common sight to see 100 bee hivesin a farm yard, and both buckwheat and clover werethen grown, especially for the benefit of thoseEpicurean manufacturers. Beeswax and honeywere articles of export." By 1819, according to Mr.Lincecum, a storekeeper, honey and beeswax weretraded for other goods. An issue of the Natchez FreeTrader and Daily Gazette, on November 23, 1841,noted that a diary of two men traveling throughJones County related that wild bees werecommonly found and that dozens of bee hives wereseen on every farm. The above early history was researched byEverett Oertel, retired researcher from the U. S.Department of Agriculture Bee Breeding and StockCenter in Baton Rouge, and published in theAmerican Bee Journal, April, 1976, Vol. 116 (4):156-157. Many of his statements came fromMoon's Bee World published from 1873 to 1877 byA. F. Moon of Rome, Georgia. It was not until after 1900, when D. D. Stovermigrated from Virginia to Penn Station (nowMayhew), Mississippi with 100 colonies thatbeekeeping became commercially important in thestate. Stover's father had travelled through that areaand became aware of its potential for honeyproduction. Stover established Stover Apiaries in1909 and continued to produce honey until 1918

when he began the production of queens. Laterhe constructed a large wooden building for usein packaged bee production that continues to beused in the operation today. In 1935 D. D. Stover was killed in a tragictruck accident in Georgia as he was returningfrom work in his apiaries there. M. S. Fortuneassumed management of the company, whichwas the largest beekeeping operation in thecountry for many years. In 1963 P. A.Yelverton became manager of Stover Apiaries. Other early established beekeeping operationsin Mississippi were Hendrix Apiaries of WestPoint established in the early 1910's, StricklerApiaries in Jackson County in the 1920's; andJensen Apiaries of Macon and Shaw Apiaries ofOkolona in the 1930's. According to Oertel and Moon's Bee World, theMississippi Beekeepers Association was formedin Jackson, Mississippi on November 15, 1873,making it the oldest agricultural organization inthe state. Obviously it was composed ofbeekeepers who operated a few hives to supply asource of sweetening for family use and forbarter or sale. Granulated sugar was notavailable in those early years. No records of the activities of this earlyformed group of beekeepers are available. In1934 Clay Lyle officially organized what is nowknown as the Mississippi BeekeepersAssociation (MBA). Unfortunately, detailedrecords on its activities are not available beforethe 1960's. Annual meetings were held

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regularly and a constitution adopted in 1952. However, the association was not chartered untilOctober 23, 1980. The Association has initiated many projectsthrough the years to benefit beekeepers. Its purposeas stated in its constitution, "shall be theadvancement and protection of the interests ofbeekeepers commercially, educationally, andsocially." Its charter states its purpose as follows: (1) to promote the art and science of beekeeping, topromote research in the fields of beekeeping andpollination of crops, and to promote agricultural growth; (2) to support such research and growththrough practical expertise, and whenever possible,through assistance in securing needed finances tocarry on beekeeping research and productpromotion; (3) to encourage understanding andworking relationships among industry, research,and other closely associated agricultural personnel;(4) to serve agriculture through pollination asdepicted by the adopted seal and emblem, and (5)to establish and maintain educational exhibits atfairs, ag reviews, etc., to accomplish the above. In the 1960's the Association's membershipconsisted of only a few commercial beekeepers. However, those few members were very active andthe Association was one of the most respectedassociations nationwide. The Mississippi HoneyQueen program was initiated in 1961 but reallydidn't function until 1963. Over the next few yearsit was almost totally financed and sponsored byStover Apiaries. Mrs. P. A. Yelverton of Mayhewand Mrs. Raymond Ellis of West Point trained andassisted girls in the program. In its initial five years,the program gave Mississippi two American HoneyQueens who had competed with and were chosenover Honey Queens from other states. J. W.(Honeybee) Hendrix of West Point wasinstrumental in persuading the two Clay Countygirls to enter the state contest, and they becamenational winners. Following are Mississippi'squeens: 1963 - Miss Linda Andrews, West Point,

as the American Honey Queen, was awarded$500 by the Honey Industry Council ofAmerica; 1964 - Miss Grace Strickland, Pheba,Mississippi Honey Queen, was MississippiHoney Queen again in 1965 and as theAmerican Honey Queen in that year; 1966 -Miss Stephanie Schutter, Greenville, was chosenMississippi Honey Queen. These State andNational Honey Queens promoted the industryby attending fairs, agricultural shows, and othersocial events. They also promoted honey onradio and TV programs. The Honey Queenprogram was very expensive, and the programfaltered in 1967 because of inadequate funding. In the 1960's the Association began to promotehoney and pollination at the Mississippi StateFair. It sponsored and awarded prizes for honeybaking contests and honey exhibits. Theseactivities continue to be sponsored at the StateFair. MBA has been active in obtaining enactmentof legislation to promote beekeeping interests. Of significance was the enactment of the BeeIndemnification Bill in 1970, which allowedbeekeepers to receive payments for bee lossessustained from the application of pesticides. MBA members, especially P. A. Yelverton,devoted a tremendous amount of expense andtime in getting this federal legislation enacted. In 1980 MBA, with the assistance of CecilSimmons, state representative, helped get thehoney bee adopted as the state insect. In 1982MBA was instrumental in passing theMississippi Honey Labeling Law. So calledpure honey products adulterated with up to 90%product corn syrup had been underselling theindustry's pure honey in the market. In 1970 MBA proposed a no comb law, whichwould prohibit movement of bees on combs intothe state. MBA consisted of mostly nativecommercial package, and queen producers whoopposed the newer and fast developing

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migratory beekeeping industry consisting of mostlynon-native beekeepers. The legislation was notenacted. Such conflicts of interest between the twogroups have hampered enactment of new laws andregulations since 1970. In 1973 a cookbook, Golden Treasure of the Hive,was printed and sponsored cooperatively by MBAand the Mississippi Department of Agriculture andCommerce. In 1976 MBA established a Master ofBeekeeping Award but did not get it entered in thebylaws until 1977. Recipients of the award havebeen as follows:

W. E. Plant, Hattiesburg 1976P. A. Yelverton, Mayhew 1985Robert E. Strickler,

Pascagoula 1985Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Pennington,

Pearl 1988

In 1978 MBA established a fund for a scholarshipto be awarded annually to an entomology student atMississippi State University. Recipients of thisaward are listed in the Scholarship section of theMississippi Entomological Association's history. Membership in MBA since the 1960's hasincreased dramatically. Over the years newsletterswritten by Harry Fulton have helped recruit manyhobby beekeepers as members. In 1973 and 1974,respectively, only 23 and 40 attended its annualmeeting. By 1984 membership increased to 250but has declined to less than 200 in the last twoyears. MBA has been an active member in theAssociation of Mississippi AgriculturalOrganizations since 1975. MBA presidents before 1960 - J. V. Pace, M. S.Fortune, Leon Thompson, N. C. Jensen, EugeneJensen, James Cochran, P. A. Yelverton, ArlieWilson and some that are not known.

MBA Presidents since 1960:

1967-68 P. A. Yelverton, Mayhew1969-70 Eugene Jensen, Macon1970-71 P. A. Yelverton1973-74 Robert Strickler, Pascagoula1974-75 J.K. Culipher, Florence1974-78 Donald Rushton, Laurel1979-82 J. K. Culipher, Florence1982-84 Jimmy B. Cagle, Long Beach1984-86 Charles Martin,

Crystal Springs1987 Jimmy B. Cagle, Long Beach1988-89 Donald Rushton, Laurel

The secretary-treasurer's position has alwaysbeen inherited by the state apiary inspector withthe Division of Plant Industry, MDAC.

Secretary-Treasurers:

1934-1950 Dr. Clay Lyle1950-? Homer Tate1960-? Arlie Wilson1963-67 Homer Tate1968 Leon Thompson1969-73 E. G. Dyess1974 Frank Killibrew1975-Present Harry Fulton

6262

MISSISSIPPI ENTOMOLOGICALASSOCIATION

Ruth Morgan and David F.Young, Jr.Mississippi State, MS

Early MEA Forerunner

As recorded in the minutes of a meeting held onMarch 7, 1921, in the entomological classroom atMississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College,Professor R. W. Harned stated the purpose of themeeting to be "to organize an entomological societyat Mississippi Agric. & Mech. College". Mr. R. N. Lobdell was elected temporaryChairman and E. W. Stafford as permanentsecretary for one year. The group of entomologistsmet weekly through April, 1921. No accounts oflater meetings have been located. At the March 14meeting a committee consisting of E. W. Stafford,J. N. Crisler, and G. L. Smith, was appointed toselect a name for the society. At the weeklymeetings presentations as follows were presented:

March 14- "The Mexican Bean Beetle" - "TheTree Fakir"

March 21- "The Mississippi State Plant Board"April 6- "Sweet Potato Insects & Diseases"April 11- "Green Japanese Beetle"April 18- "Lepidoptera Notes"April 25- "Boll Weevil Back in Louisiana" At the April 25 meeting the group decided to callthe society, "Ommatidia, The EntomologicalSociety of Mississippi".

For historical purposes the names of thosepersons who attended these first meetings arelisted below. Those shown with an asteriskattended the initial meeting.

D. L. Alford * J. O. Maloney* H. W. Allen * T. G. McCormick* G. F. Arnold O. S. McDonald J. W. Bailey * D. C. McInnis* F. H. Benjamin L. E. Miles* C. H. Brandon I. R. Nolan* C. H. Brannon L. J. Pessin* L. W. Brannon J. B. Pope* J. N. Crisler S. F. Potts* J. H. Fewell * C. E. Posey* G. E. Gaines E. S. Roberts T. B. Gallman * E. M. Roberts* W. C. Grayson J. F. Russum* F. C. Graham * J. B. Rutledge* D. W. Grimes * H. J. Shoup* J. C. Hardy * J. A. Smith* R. W. Harned * G. L. Smith* M. G. Harrison * O. G. Smith* J. G. Hester * J. E. Snowden J. C. Holton * E. W. Stafford* F. M. Hull D. U. Stapleton* H. H. Kimball * F. O. Swan* J. M. Langtson W. V. Vurgaut* R. N. Lobdell R. B. Willson Clay Lyle

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MEA Establishment

Some 33 years later A small group of menconcerned with entomology in Mississippi met atSam's Cafe (Leland, Mississippi) on October 8,1954. Their discussion centered around the idea ofan association that would bring all facets ofentomology together and strengthen the field withinour state. It was decided that such an organizationwas needed and had the potential to be successful. The temporary officers selected were W. R. Smith,chairman, and L. C. Murphree, secretary-treasurer. J. C. Redd was chairman of the committee to selectthe time and place for an organizational meeting. Atemporary constitution was proposed. Thosepresent at Sam's Cafe were W. R. Smith, M. E.Merkl, C. E. King, David Young, J. C. Redd, DocParrish, J. F. White, L. C. Murphree, Hal Jones,Chuck Boone, Reid Faulkner, and Roy Bailey. Aletter prepared and sent to all persons interested inentomology in Mississippi invited each one toattend an organizational meeting at Delta BranchExperiment Station in November of 1954. At thismeeting the foundation was laid for theorganization by the election of officers andadoption of a constitution. At this meeting A. G.Bennett, Extension entomologist, invited the newlyorganized Association to participate in the AnnualInsect Control Conference to be held in 1955. Thisjointly sponsored meeting was held January 6-7,1955. A total of 215 attended the 1955 AnnualInsect Control Conference, with 83 joining theAssociation. Since 1954-55 the Association hassteadily grown in numbers, enthusiasm, and serviceto the people of Mississippi. One of the uniquequalities of this Association has been that itrepresents all groups within the entomological field. The goals of the Association are achieved bycollective action.

Annual Insect

Control Conference

In 1955 the Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation joined Extension Entomology insponsoring the Annual Insect ControlConference. Mississippi State has been thehome of all conferences except one, which washeld in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1964. TheInsect Control Conference meets annually fortwo days about mid-November. The programconsists of presentations of invited speakers. Initially, emphasis was placed on presentingentomology research done in Mississippi. Sincethen the scope of the program has beenbroadened to present research findings ofgeneral interest to the members. Through theyears the conference's program committee hasobtained many leading entomologists andspecialists in other closely related fields asspeakers. The banquet is one of the conference'shighlights. The "bingo game" sponsored by thechemical industry has increased attendance andsupport from the membership. In 1988 thebanquet was replaced by a luncheon andhospitality, bingo, "pickin' and grinnin'" wereheld in the evening.

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Newsletters

The Association's monthly newsletters were begunin 1955 by David Young. The newsletter was atone time published monthly but now only severaltimes throughout the year. Its contents vary fromresumes of important entomology research andlegislation to notes of personal interest about theAssociation's members.

Emblem

The emblem of the Mississippi Association wasoriginated by a committee composed of C. E. King,David Young, Marvin Merkle, A. G. Bennett andRoy Bailey. The original emblem was the outlineof the state drawn on an open cotton boll. A bollweevil and a bollworm look in from opposite sidesof the state. In 1956 this emblem was enclosed bya circle.

Legislative Activities

The Mississippi Entomological Association hasbeen active in legislative matters pertaining toentomology, and through its individual membersand as a group, has strongly supported manydesirable and needed legislative bills that havemade significant contributions toward theadvancement of entomology in Mississippi. Senator James Molpus of Clarksdale andRepresentative Cecil Simmons of Starkville werevery instrumental in obtaining passage of billspertaining to entomology.

4-H Entomology

The Mississippi Entomological Associationsupports the Department of Entomology in theCooperative Extension Service by promotingentomology in the 4-H Clubs of Mississippi. Inaddition to making annual donations to theawards program, members of the Associationhave assisted in the organization of many countyentomology projects in 4-H Clubs. Thisprogram has produced many national winners inentomology. The Executive Committee ofMEA in August, 1957, three years after itsformation, established a 4-H EntomologyAwards Subcommittee under the StandingCommittee on Research and Education. Thepurpose of the 4-H Entomology AwardsSubcommittee was "to provide funds forpromoting entomological interest among youngpeople in Mississippi. The funds shall bepresented to the Mississippi AgriculturalExtension Service 4-H Club Department to beused as awards. Action of this committeeshould be approved by the ExecutiveCommittee." In 1957 MEA presented the firstcheck to the Mississippi Extension EntomologyDepartment in the amount of $1,155 forfinancing the 4-H Entomology Awards for 1957. Businesses interested in entomology made theawards possible. Winners in 4-H EntomologyDemonstration Contests and EntomologyAchievement Contests were awardedappropriate awards in 1957. Mike Carter,chairman of the 4-H Awards Committee,presented the check to A.G. Bennett, leader ofExtension Entomology in Mississippi. Bennettaccepted the check in behalf of 100,000 4-Hclubbers in Mississippi with the pledge that hisdepartment would attempt to gain 10,000 boysand girls in taking entomology as a project in1957. This is nearly half of the total enrollmentfor the entire United States. Thirty engraved

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watches were presented during the State 4-H ClubCongress. In 1958 David Young chaired thecommittee and stated that 4-H entomology clubswere being organized, with members of theassociation serving as volunteer teachers of theclubs. Approximately $1,000 was collected for thisprogram. In 1959 Ted Pfrimmer led a generaldiscussion concerning the 4-H Entomology AwardsProgram and it was suggested that the incomingchairman appoint a committee to study ways andmeans of raising the funds for the awards program,and that the committee should consider whether theAssociation should sponsor the awards program inthe future. In 1960 William Giles served aschairman and stressed the need for continuation ofoff-campus entomology courses and theencouragement of the 4-H Entomology AwardsProgram, and approved annual contribution of $50in support of the program and turned thesolicitation of funds over to the ExtensionEntomology Department. This contribution wasincreased to $100 in 1979 and to $125 in 1982. In1965, 16 schools and junior colleges were visited,34 classes taught to 1,170 students. Results wereincreased enrollment at Mississippi StateUniversity and an enrollment in 4-H entomology of9,000. In 1984 a Special Funds Committee wasappointed to solicit funds for establishing aself-sustaining program, in hopes of fullysupporting the 4-H Entomology program. LeoCalhoun, an American Cyanamid representativewho had previously been involved in the 4-HExtension Program in Alabama, served as the firstchairman of this project. In 1985 Calhounpurchased a plaque, and the name of each companycontributing $1,000 or more was listed for display. Such contributors to date are Ciba-Geigy,American Cyanamid, ICI Americas, Shell, UnionCarbide, Rhone-Poulenc, E. I. DuPont,Hoechst-Roussel, Helena, and Pennwalt.

National and sectional winners in 4-Hentomology:

Year Name County

** 1952 John Wayman Sowell Madison * 1953 Lillian Agnew Lee * 1954 George Willey Madison** 1956 Kenneth Boutwell, Jr. Newton** 1957 Howard E. Breland Forrest** 1961 James Herbison Bolivar** 1964 Jerry Patton Pontotoc** 1965 Stanley Bell Sunflower** 1968 Charles Bryson Lee** 1969 Adrian C. Morris Washington** 1970 Alvin Rhodes Rankin** 1971 Sharon Kay Rogers Lauderdale * 1972 Maurice B. Layton, Jr. Simpson** 1973 John Bryson Lee * 1974 Ricky Lee Patterson Lee** 1976 Robert Patterson Lee** 1977 Katherine Washburn Hinds * 1981 Anna Rose Desoto * 1982 Susan Seal Neshoba * 1983 Russell Patterson Lee * 1984 Angela Westbrook Desoto * 1985 Michael Johnson Jones * 1986 Billie Stribling Montgomery * 1987 Greg Williams Pontotoc** 1988 Christopher Shaw Washington

** National Winner * Sectional Winner

The Mississippi Entomological Associationhas consistently promoted entomology in highschools of Mississippi. The Association hasprovided speakers to inform thousands ofstudents of the opportunities in the field ofentomology. Members have assisted in annualhigh school science fairs and in the NationalScience Visitation Program for high school

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students. A 20-minute, 16 mm color film, "ABetter Tomorrow," became a reality in 1976. It isavailable on loan from the Department ofEntomology and Extension Entomology. The filmfocuses on the academic opportunities available toa student in entomology at Mississippi StateUniversity and career opportunities forentomologists. The film is appropriate for showingin schools, civic organizations, garden clubs, juniorand senior colleges, workshops, and other suchmeetings. Sustaining memberships in the amountof $25 contributed by industries was established tofund the movie. This registry was so successful itis still maintained to support the MEA more fully. Committee members who worked untiringly on theproduction of this film were Clyde Sartor, D. D.Hardee, Jim Frazier, L. C. Murphree, Jack Coley,Robert McCarty and Lewis Coons. Appreciation isexpressed to Bev Norment for chairing thiscommittee and his technician, Jacky Martin, forinvaluable technical assistance during the filmingand David Hutto (photography and editing). TheMississippi Entomological Association has givenstrong support to the Entomology Department ofMississippi State University. The initial resolutionproposing the construction of the EntomologyBuilding was presented to the UniversityAdministration in January, 1964. This newbuilding The Clay Lyle Entomology Complex wascompleted in January, 1971. The well-equippedfacility provides an excellent atmosphere for allstudents in entomology. The Association has alsosupported establishment of needed staff positions,addition of teaching aids, and research equipment. Since 1960 the Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation has sponsored scholarship awards foroutstanding students in entomology. Currently, two$100 scholarships are awarded by the Associationeach year. Two other scholarships, the J. C. ReddScholarship ($200 since 1966) and the JamesMolpus Scholarship ($200 since 1970), aresupported by the Association members. In 1964

the Boll Weevil Research Laboratory sponsoreda $100 award. The Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation and the Cooperative ExtensionService sponsored a course in Cotton InsectControl at the Delta Branch Experiment Stationin 1958. Arlie Wilson and David Young were incharge of the course. Thirty-three countyagents, agricultural teachers, and others receivedcredit for the course. Seminars have beensponsored by the Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation for timely presentations ofinformation of broad interest to members of theAssociation.

Membership, 1955-1988

Sustaining memberships were initiated in 1975by John Taylor and W. O. Miller. A letter ofinvitation was mailed to prospective membersstating that "sustaining members shall be thoseindividuals or firms who pay a minimum of $25annually." Each sustaining member is listed in aregistry that appears on the reverse side of eachAssociational newsletter. In 1976 and 1977there were 26 and 23 sustaining members,respectively. The initial purpose of thesustaining membership was to gain some neededcash to help finance the MEA movie, "A BetterTomorrow." Membership over the years was asfollows:

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MEMBERSHIP CHART

Year Membership Sustaining

1955 831956 1231957 1611958 1301959 2001960 2201961 2451962 2771963 2681964 2801965 2931966 2821967 2801968 2461969 3051970 3261971 3261972 3431973 3001974 4071975 4711976 524 261977 456 251978 527 281979 525 201980 708 191981 484 261982 404 261983 294 261984 379 201985 338 171986 248 221987 250 171988 272 15

Lifetime Honorary Members A. G. BennettR. Z. PepperT. M. WallerO. T. Guice, Jr.S. O. HillArlie WilsonLeon HepnerF. J. BartlettJames H. CochranT. R. PfrimmerJ. C. ReddJohn TaylorL. C. MurphreeDial MartinF. G. MaxwellD. F. Young

The following lifetime honorary members whoare deceased are remembered:

Clay LyleR. W. HarnedE. W. "o" StaffordJ. M. LangstonAl HammerL. J. GoodgameDr. Ross HutchinsT. D. PersonsHomer TateR. P. ColmerC. R. Parencia

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Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service award is reserved forthose who have made significant contributions tothe field of entomology in Mississippi. Recipientsof this highest award include the following:

1956- Ethelbert Withrow (Bo) Stafford wasassistant entomologist at the University ofMinnesota, served with the New JerseyAgricultural Experiment Station, and thePennsylvania Chestnut Tree Blight Commission. He spent 3 years (1914-1917) with the IllinoisHorticultural Commission before becomingemployed at Mississippi A & M College as aninstructor. Stafford retired from Mississippi StateUniversity as a full professor and then was granteda rank of emeritus professor in 1957. He taughtscience and biology at Wood Junior College forseveral years after retirement from MSU.

1957- Robey Wentworth Harned joined theMississippi A & M College faculty in 1907. Heserved there until 1931 much of the time as head ofthe Department of Zoology and Entomology andgreatly advanced the field of Entomology inMississippi. During his early years of service hewas the only professional entomologist inMississippi and thereby was involved in extension,research and regulatory entomology. Harnedretired from federal employment in 1953 after 22years of service in USDA and 46 years of service toentomology.

1959- Clay Lyle taught high school and farmed inTexas before becoming employed by the StatePlant Board in Mississippi. In 1925 he became Head of the Department ofZoology and Entomology, Executive officer of theState Plant Board, and Entomologist for theMississippi Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1945 Lyle was appointed to Dean of the

School of Science and from there he wasappointed to dean and director of the Division ofAgriculture (School of Agriculture School ofForestry, Experiment Station, and CooperativeExtension Service) in 1951 where he served for10 years until retirement with 41 years of serviceto Mississippi State University. After serving asa Consulting Entomologist in Taiwan for twoyears, Lyle returned to Mississippi State to servefor six years as estate planner with theDevelopment Foundation. In 1969 ill healthforced him to fully retire.

1966- Robert Percival Colmer began hisEntomological career in 1920 with the StatePlant Board. In July, 1933 he was appointedchief inspector where he served until retirementon June 30, 1966. During Colmer's tenure, heserved actively on the Southern Plant Board andthe National Plant Board.

1972- Albert George Bennett, Sr. was hired inMarch, 1952, as an Entomologist with theExtension Entomology Department and becamehead of the Department later that year. Since1952 Bennett had been serving as one of theearliest consulting entomologists in Mississippi. Bennett retired from the CooperativeExtension Service as Head of the EntomologyDepartment in 1970. He still resides inStarkville.

1974- L. C. Murphree served the USDABureau of Entomology for 1½ years and for theExtension Service for 19½ years, serving asleader of Extension Entomology from 1947until 1952. Upon retirement from the ExtensionService he then worked for 31½ years in theprivate chemical companies; CoahomaChemical Company for 20½ years, RiversideChemical Company for 3 years and VelsicolChemical Company for 3 years. Murphree

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now resides in Starkville, Mississippi.

1975- Fowden G. Maxwell was appointed in 1961to associate professor while a student at KansasState University and served until graduation in1961. In June, 1961 he moved to Starkville, MS todevelop insect resistant strains of cotton at theUSDA Boll Weevil Research Laboratory. Whilethere he served as an adjuvant professor to theDepartment of Entomology at Mississippi StateUniversity. In 1968 he was chosen to be Head ofthe Department of Entomology at MSU where heserved until 1974, at which time he accepted theposition as Head of the Entomology Department atthe University of Florida. In 1975 he accepted aposition as coordinator for EnvironmentalActivities of the USDA in Washington, D.C. He isnow chairman of the Entomology Department atTexas A & M University.

1976- Clifton Arlie Wilson served in the U.S. Public Health Service from 1942-1945 as a medicalentomologist. After serving in the military he wason the staff of the Department of Entomology atRutgers University from 1945-1948. In 1948Wilson accepted a job on the staff at MississippiState University and through the years became aprofessor of entomology. Wilson served as interimDepartment Head at three different times. Wilson now resides in Starkville, Mississippi.

1978- J.C. Redd taught in the public schools inMississippi for nine years, was employed by theUSDA, Bureau of Entomology and PlantQuarantine for cotton investigations, served as StateApiary Inspector for the Mississippi State PlantBoard, and was Assistant State Entomologist andZoology Professor at Mississippi State University. He elected to enter into private business in 1946and organized his pest control company, whichtoday operates branches throughout eight states. Redd retired from private business in 1978 and

resides in Jackson, MS.

1980- Dial Franklin Martin was employed asinstructor of Entomology at Texas A & MUniversity in 1939, attaining the rank of fullprofessor in 1954. He served as InvestigationsLeader of pink bollworm research, United StatesDepartment of Agriculture from 1957-1965 atBrownsville, Texas; Assistant Branch Chief,Cotton Insects Research Branch, USDA,Beltsville, Maryland, 1965-1968; LaboratoryDirector, Bioenvironmental Insect ControlResearch Laboratory, USDA, Stoneville,Mississippi, 1968-1979.

1981- David F. Young, Jr. served theMississippi Agricultural and ForestryExperiment Station as an assistant entomologistand the State Plant Board as districtentomologist before joining the ExtensionService in 1955. He served as leader of theExtension Entomology Department from 1970until 1983 when he retired.

1982- Charlie Parencia served as teacher andprincipal of White Hall School in JacksonCounty, Texas from 1934-1942; as seasonalemployee in 1933 and 1935-1941 at the PortLavaca, Texas, USDA Cotton Insects ResearchLaboratory; Research Entomologist andEntomologist-in-Charge, 1942-1962, Waco,Texas USDA Cotton Insects ResearchLaboratory; Assistant-to-Chief, Cotton InsectsResearch Branch, Entomology ResearchDivision, Beltsville, Maryland, 1962-1972; StaffSpecialist, Entomology, National Program Staff,Plant and Entomological Sciences, Beltsville,Maryland, 1972-1976; and Research Leader,Insect Populations Management Research Unit,Bioenvironmental Insect Control Laboratory,AR, SEA, USDA, Stoneville, Mississippi, 1976to 1981.

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He lived in Leland after his retirement and servedas collaborator to the Southern Field Crops Insect Management Laboratory, Jamie Whitten DeltaState Research Center, ARS, USDA, Stoneville,Mississippi until his death on July 8, l988.

1983- Ted Pfrimmer's research career spannedmore than 30 years with the Agricultural ResearchService, U. S. Department of Agriculture. His firstassignment was at the Waco, Texas Laboratory onthe Cotton Insect Survey. His permanentappointment began at the Brownsville, TexasLaboratory. He spent a few years at the Tallulah,Louisiana,Laboratory, with his service culminatingat the Stoneville, Mississippi, Laboratory, where hespent more that 25 years as project, research orlaboratory leader. He now resides in Leland during retirement.

1984- W. O. "Tollie" Miller served for years asresearch entomologist and technical specialist forDow Chemical Company, Wayside, Ms. His mostnoted contribution to agriculture was hisdevelopment and patent of the Dow Soil InjectionKnife which is used in the application ofnematocides and the development of Dursban TC. He is now retired from Dow Chemical Companyand resides in Leland, MS.

1985- John Taylor is retired from service atMississippi Farmers Cooperatives (MFC) inMadison, MS where he devoted 34 years of histalents and time in insecticide and consulting industry.

1986- Marion L. Laster has been a staff memberin the position of Entomologist at the Delta Branch,Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry ExperimentStation, since 1959. He retired in 1988 and residesin Leland where he is still involved in Entomologydoing consulting type work.

1986- Edwin P. Lloyd served as a researchentomologist in Mississippi at Stoneville andtransferred to the Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory (BWRL) at Mississippi StateUniversity in 1964. After thirteen years at theBWRL, he headed the Boll Weevil EradicationUnit at Raleigh, North Carolina. With thesuccess of the eradication program there, hereturned to the Boll Weevil Research Laboratoryin 1982 to become its director. On October 3, 1986, he retired fromgovernment service. He still resides inStarkville.

1987- Edna Ruth Morgan began working forthe Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service,Entomology Department in 1960, whilecontinuing her education. She has worked theresince 1960 except for one year when she taughtschool.

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1988- Jack Daniel Coley began work inMemphis, TN in 1955 as an inspector for theUSDA, APHIS, PPQ. In 1958 he joined the StatePlant Board as an inspector. In 1966 he waspromoted to general inspector, in 1968 to chiefinspector, and in 1975 to state entomologist anddirector of the Division of Plant Industry,Mississippi Department of Agriculture andCommerce, Starkville, MS. He continues to servein this position.

MERIT AWARDS

In 1972, the Association initiated the MeritAward Program to recognize outstandingentomologists in the area of teaching, research, andservice. Recipients of these awards are as follows:

1973Teaching - Jessie White - Head of the Biology

Department, Delta State University

Research - Ted Davich - Head, USDA Boll WeevilResearch Laboratory, MSU

1974Teaching - C. A. Wilson - Professor of

Entomology, Department ofEntomology, MSU.

Research - Ed P. Lloyd - Research Entomologist,USDA Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory, MSU.

Service - H. C. Mitchell - Entomologist,Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, MSU.

1975Teaching - Howard Chambers - Associate

Professor of Entomology,Department of Entomology, MSU.

Research - W. W. Neel – Associate Professor ofEntomology, Department ofEntomology, MSU.

Service - W. O.(Tollie) Miller -ResearchEntomologist and TechnicalSpecialist for Dow Chemical Co.,Wayside, Ms.

1976Research - Ted Pfrimmer - Research

Entomologist, BioenvironmentalLaboratory, Stoneville, Ms.

Service - Billy Harris, Agricultural Consultant,Greenwood, Ms.

1977Teaching - James Frazier - MSU Department of

Entomology, Insect Physiologist.

Research - Marion Laster, Entomologist,Mississippi Agricultural andForestry Experiment Station, Leland,Ms.

Service - Jack D. Coley - State Entomologist/Director, Division ofPlant Industry, Mississippi Department of Agriculture

1978Teaching - Johnny Outz - Entomologist and

Professor, Delta State University,Cleveland, MS.

Research - Peter Sikorowski, Insect Pathologist,MSU Department of Entomology

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Service - Mr. James H. Cochran Entomologist -MCES, MSU.

1979Teaching - Robert L. Combs, Livestock

Entomologist, MSU Department ofEntomology.

Research - Leon Hepner, Insect Taxonomist, MSUDepartment of Entomology.

Service - John Taylor, MFC Services, Madison,MS.

1980Teaching - Not Awarded

Research - William (Bill) Cross, USDA BollWeevil Research Lab/Crop Science,MSU.

Service - Not Awarded.

1981Teaching - Henry B. Green, Deceased Professor,

MSU Department of Entomology,Award accepted by his wife, Mary.

Research - Virgil Smith, USDA Entomologist,Southern Forest Products Research Lab,Gulfport.

Service - Mills Rogers, Rogers EntomologicalService, Cleveland, MS.

1982Teaching - Not Awarded.

Research - James D. Solomon, Entomologist,USDA/Forest Service, Stoneville.

Service - Gordon L. Andrews, AssistantProfessor, MSU Department ofEntomology.

1983Teaching - Not Awarded.

Research - Frank M. Davis, EntomologistUSDA/ARS - Crop ScienceResearch Lab, MSU.

Service - Robert B. Head, Cotton InsectSpecialist, MCES, EntomologyDepartment, MSU.

1984Teaching - W. W. (Bill) Neel, Entomologist,

MSU Department of Entomology.

Research - Howard Chambers,Toxicologist/Professor MSUDepartment of Entomology.

Service - Leo Calhoun, Sales Representative,American Cyanamid Company, Jackson, MS.

1985Teaching - Richard L. Brown, Associate

Professor, MSU Department ofEntomology.

Research - Eric J. Villavaso, Entomologist,USDA/ARS Boll Weevil ResearchLab, MSU.

Service - Harry R. Fulton, State Apiarist andPesticide Registration Specialist,Division of Plant Industry, MSDepartment of Agriculture andCommerce, MSU.

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1986Teaching - B. R.(Bev) Norment, Professor of

entomology, MSU Department ofEntomology.

Research - G. R. McKibben, Researchentomologist, ARS, Boll WeevilResearch Unit, MSU.

Service - Robert H. McCarty, Deputy Director,Division of Plant Industry, MississippiDepartment of Agriculture andCommerce, MSU

1987Teaching - Not awarded.

Research - Dr. Henry N. Pitre, Professor, MSUDepartment of Entomology.

Service - Bob Ratliff, Progressive Farmer.

1988Teaching - Dr. Henry N. Pitre, Professor, MSU

Department of Entomology.

Research - Dr. Randy Luttrell, Assistant Professor,MSU Department of Entomology.

Service - Dr. Jim Hamer, Extension Entomologist,MSU Department of Entomology.

SCHOLARSHIPS Since 1960 the Mississippi EntomologicalAssociation has sponsored and administeredscholarship awards to outstanding students inentomology. Initially, two $100 scholarships wereawarded by the MEA each year. Two $200scholarships, the J. C. Redd Scholarship and theJames Molpus Scholarship, were established by

private individuals in 1966 and 1970,respectively. In 1964 the Boll Weevil ResearchLaboratory sponsored a $100 award. Morerecently two additional scholarships have beenadministered through MEA and awarded at itsannual banquet. The Mississippi BeekeepersAssociation initiated a scholarship in 1979. After the untimely death of Dr.H. C. Mitchell who had just been electedpresident of MEA, a fund to establish amemorial scholarship in his memory was set upin 1981, with hopes of receiving sufficientcontributions to make it an endowed scholarshipfund through the Mississippi State UniversityFoundation. As such MEA would become aPatron of Excellence. In 1983, Dr. BillMcGovern, a former co-worker of Dr. Mitchell,not only pledged enough to become a patronhimself but also enough to enable MEA's H.C.Mitchell Scholarship to become a Patron ofExcellence. Since being established many of them havebeen increased and are currently available asfollows:

Scholarships Available:

James E. Molpus $200Ms. Entomological Ass'n (MEA) $500H.C. Mitchell Memorial (HM) $1000J.C. Redd (Redd) $750Ms. Beekeepers Ass'n (MBA) $300

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The following persons have received scholarships:

1960 - MEA - Freddie Tingle1961 - MEA - David Vickers, and Jon D. Tate1962 - MEA - William Falls1964 - MEA - T. Lloyd Chestnut1965 - MEA - James W. Smith1965 - MEA - Frank Nichols1966 - MEA - Ray Leeper, and Homer Collins1967 - MEA - Cary Crosby and Ronald A.

Westmark1968 - MEA - Mike Williams, and William

Johnson1969 - MEA - Becky A. Moore, and Frank Maxcy1970 - MEA - Jimmy Etheridge, and Steve

Alexander1971 - MEA - James Gill, and Scott Ecklar1972 - MEA - Alvin Rhodes1973 - MEA - Maurice Layton1974 - MEA - Jeff Purser1975 - MEA - Larry Hatfield1976 - MEA - Lane Foil1977 - MEA - Russ Mizell1977 - Redd - Billy Mink1978 - MEA - James Whitehead1979 - MEA - Rusty Mitchell, and William Wasser1979 - MBA - Stephen Winter1980 - MEA - Robert A. Farlow1980 - MBA - Bryan S. Wilson

1980 - Redd - Robert J. North1981 - MEA- Patricia Frazier O'Leary1981 - HM - Bryan S. Wilson1981 - MBA - Tommy Wofford1981 - Redd - J. E. Mulrooney1981 - MBA - Bryan S. Wilson1982 - HM - Tommy Wofford1982 - MBA - David Smith1982 - Redd - Scott H. Hutchins1983 - HM - David Heering1983 - MBA - Brenda Booth1984 - HM - David Heering1984 - MBA - Dennis Riley1984 - Redd - Brenda Booth Brown1985 - HM - Kevin A. Watkins1985 - Redd - William S. McDonald1986 - HM - Michael F. Ludlow1986 - Redd - Daniel M. Stout II1986 - MBA - Michael Todd Davis1987 - HM - Carl Felland1987 - Redd - Abbas Ali1988 - MEA - David Reed1988 - HM - Joseph Bong1988 - Redd - James Beisler

GULF COASTMOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

David F. Young, Jr.Starkville, Mississippi

MEA initiated a study of salt-water mosquitoproblems on the Gulf Coast in 1959. The first stepin carrying out this project was establishing aspecial committee on insects affecting man.Chairman of the committee was Tollie Miller,

entomologist with Dow Chemical Company,who had considerable experience in mosquitoresearch and control. Teaming up with thecommittee was David Young, Extensionentomologist, who along with Tollie Miller was

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already working to establish or help improvemosquito control programs for the counties andtowns of the Delta. The second step in establishingthe abatement district was enlisting the help ofDutch Amsler, county agent for Harrison County. Contracts were made with the three boards ofsupervisors, the eight mayors, and aldermen locatedin Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties fortheir support. A speaker's bureau was also set up,where any of the 300-plus civic organizations (inthe three-county area) could call for films onmosquito control and speakers to discuss theproposed abatement district to their members. Following many meetings in the three counties,very little, if any opposition was found to theproposed abatement district. Under the EnablingAct of 1927 the three counties could assessadditional millage to pay for the proposed program. The first county board of supervisors to approvethe program was Harrison County. However,initially the board of supervisors in both Hancockand Jackson counties failed to approve the program.Hancock County said they were "broke" andJackson County's board opposed raising taxes. Theboards did change their minds, however, whenStandard Oil moved into Jackson County andNASA into Hancock County and complained aboutthe serious mosquito problem. With these twolarge industries supporting MEA's efforts, the GulfCoast Mosquito Abatement District became areality. The board of

supervisors from the three counties selected acommission to run the program, and ChrisElmore, entomologist, was hired at MEA'srecommendation to direct the activities of themosquito abatement district. A start-up budgetof $250,000 was approved. The current budgetnow is approximately $500,000. Other directorshave been Cary Crosby, David Sykes, andRoger Alexander. The MEA-sponsored projecthas brought relief from mosquitoes to theresidents of the Gulf Coast and increased touristtrade by millions of dollars.

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MISSISSIPPI PEST CONTROLASSOCIATION


The first meeting of several pest control operatorsin 1950 or 1951 resulted in organization of theMississippi Pest Control Association (MPCA). J.C. Redd became the first chairman and J. H.Jackson , vice chairman. The Association wasbegun as a lobbying group to oppose legislationthat would adversely affect the industry. It was not until a December 4, 1954 meeting atthe Robert E. Lee Hotel in Jackson that MPCAreally became organized and began to function. Atthat meeting the group voted to apply for a Charterof Incorporation that was achieved on February 23,1955. MPCA members who signed the documentwere A. H. Jackson, president; T. A. Mullen, vicepresident; C. B. Treadway, secretary-treasurer; andG. L. Edwards. The objective of the Association was to promotegeneral standards and ethics of the pest controlindustry; to foster research and diffusion ofknowledge of the industry among its membership;to cooperate with the National Pest ControlAssociation and withgovernmental and educational authorities for thegood of the community and industry; to promotecivic improvement and to seek to improve thephysical, mental, and moral condition of itsmembers and the people of the state of Mississippi. For the next five years the Association wassomewhat inactive, but in 1960 a revitalizationeffort began. Mills Rogers then served aspresident, Roy Clanton as vice president, W. E.Jackson as secretary, and John Webb and E. A.

Redd as board members. That year a theyappointed a committee to meet regularly withthe State Plant Board. That committee wascomposed of President Mills Rogers ofCleveland,A. H. Jackson of Jackson, and Sam Lindsey ofLaurel. This committee was designated asadvisory council in 1980. Many historical records for MPCA have beenlost in floods and paper shuffles. Consequently,not much is known about the activities ofMPCA between 1960 and the present. In 1962 Roy Bailey, chairman of theMississippi Entomological Association's (MEA)Research and Education Committee, reportedthat the first Mississippi pest control workshophad been developed to be held at MississippiState University on March 1-2, 1962. For many years in the 1970's, MPCA metjointly with MEA. In 1980 the group decided toagain hold separate meetings from MEA. However, the president has served as a MEAdirector.One of MPCA's important functions is to hostthe Five State Pest Control Association's annualmeeting held at five year intervals. Through the years MPCA has done much tofulfill its purpose. Through its efforts andsupport of The Division of Plant Industry (DPI)in adopting new regulations, it has enhancedethics and its public image. Its educationalconferences have promoted the availability of

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information to its members and the general public. Honorary members of MPCA areA. G. Bennett -1962, J. C. Redd - 1978, and OscarShepherd - 1982.

Past MPCA Presidents

1950-51 J. C. Redd, Jackson1954 A. H. Jackson, Jackson1960 Mills Rogers, Cleveland1962 A. H. Jackson, Jackson1976 Jimmy Murphy, Corinth1977 Ron Brown, Jackson1978 Gene Bowlin, Jackson1979 Sam Lindsey, III, Jackson1980 Jerry Gaggini, Jackson1981 Johnny Coombs, Blue Mountain1982 Rachel Murray, Natchez1983 Richard Redd, Jackson1984 Craig Jefcoat, Bay Springs1985 Bob Thrash, Gulfport1986 Jimmy Lindley, Starkville1987 Frank Barkdull, Jackson1988 Gordon Redd, Jr., Gulfport1989 John Kirk, Madison

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MISSISSIPPIANS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHEASTERN BRANCH

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OFAMERICA

James W. SmithStarkville, MS

The beginning of the Southeastern Branch can betraced back to a meeting held on August 2, 1904, inJackson, MS. This meeting was called to considerthe depredation caused by the boll weevil, whichafter entering Texas from Mexico, had reachedLouisiana and was rapidly moving northward andeastward to the other cotton-growing states. It has been said that the boll weevil wreaked moredestruction upon American agriculture than anyother single insect pest. Cotton growers hadexperienced fleahoppers, aphids, bollworms andleafworms, but the boll weevil was different. Instead of destroying a portion of the crop, theweevil devastated it. Land values plummeted asthe weevil took the South. Nothing as destructiveas the boll weevil had been experienced bySouthern agriculture since the Warbetween the States. Therefore, it is not surprisingthat this 1904 meeting was attended by some of theleading entomologists from across the South. In attendance were C. E. Chambliss of SouthCarolina, H. A. Morgan of Louisiana, WilmonNewell of Georgia, E. D. Sanderson of Texas, W.V. Reed of Mississippi, and W. D. Hunter andA.W. Morrill of the Bureau of Entomology, UnitedStates Department of Agriculture, Dallas, TX. C.E. Chambliss was elected chairman and A.W.Morrill, secretary. Uniform state quarantine lawsand regulations to prevent the introduction of theboll weevil into new areas were the chief subjectsdiscussed at this meeting, and resolutions to thateffect were unanimously adopted. In order tofacilitate the future transaction of business in

connection with state boll weevil quarantines, itwas voted that a permanent organization shouldbe established among the official entomologistsof the cotton states. Thus the Association ofOfficial Entomologists of the Cotton Belt wasformed. The second meeting of the Association washeld in Atlanta, GA., on May 6, 1905, in theOffice of the State Entomologist at the StateCapitol. Those attending were C. E. Chambliss,chairman; H. A. Morgan, the new director of theTennessee Agricultural Experiment Station andhead of the Department of Zoology of theUniversity of Tennessee; Wilmon Newell, thenew state entomologist of Louisiana; W. D.Hunter and A. W. Morrill, the USDAentomologists; Gordon M. Bentley, assistantstate entomologist of North Carolina; W. H.Dean and A. C. Lewis, assistant stateentomologists of Georgia, G. W. Herrick, stateentomologist of Mississippi; R. S. Mackintosh,Alabama state horticulturist and quarantineagent; J. L. Phillips, state entomologist ofVirginia; and Ralph I. Smith, state entomologistof Georgia. Discussions at this meeting centeredon various phases of the boll weevil researchand quarantines to prevent the spread of thisinsect. Plans were discussed for a meeting of theAssociation at New Orleans, LA., at the sametime of the next meeting of the AmericanAssociation for the Advancement of Science. Regular meetings were not held the next fewyears by the Association. Informal meetings

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were called when the Southern states wereconfronted with an entomological problem thatdemanded attention of their entomologists. Specialmeetings were held in Atlanta, GA., andWashington, D. C., in 1911 for the purpose ofconsidering the various boll weevil quarantineregulations with a view of obtaining uniformity. In1917 meetings were held in Gainesville, FL.,concerning citrus canker disease and in NewOrleans, LA., to consider the pink bollworm, spinywhitefly, and the sweet potato weevil. Participantsreviewed scouting methods for these insects andquarantine measures against them. Sometimes in1906-11 the name of the organization was changedto the Association of Cotton States Entomologists. On March 1-3, 1920, an important meeting of theAssociation was held at Vicksburg, MS., andTallulah, Louisiana, with more than 50 attending. The discovery of the pink bollworm in Louisianaadded special interest to this meeting. W. E. Hindspresided and A. F. Conradi, secretary, prepared fullproceedings of the meeting. At this meeting aresolution was adopted to affiliate with theSouthern Agricultural Workers. Thus from 1921 to1936 the group met annually as the EntomologySection of the Association of Southern AgriculturalWorkers. Interest in the Association of Cotton StatesEntomologists increased following the largemeeting in 1920. The Association met in Memphis,TN., in 1923, Birmingham, AL., in 1924, andAtlanta, GA., in 1925. More than 100 personsattended the meeting in Birmingham on January 10and 11, 1924, and members voted to apply forrecognition as a branch of the AmericanAssociation of Economic Entomologists. Since thismatter was not presented in time for action by thatAssociation at it's annual meeting in Washington,D. C., in 1924, the Association of Cotton StatesEntomologists again considered the matter at theannual meeting held in Atlanta, GA., on February 3and 4, 1925, and voted again to apply for

recognition as a branch. The fifth annualmeeting of the Branch was held in Jackson, MS.,on February 6 and 7, 1930, with an attendanceof 92. B. R. Coad with the USDA at Tallulah,LA., was chairman and R. W. Harned ofMississippi A & M served as vice chairman. This meeting was concluded with a tour of theDelta Laboratory at Tallulah which at that timewas the premiere Federal entomology laboratorydedicated to boll weevil research. Only a fewyears prior, the first aerial applications ofcalcium arsenate dust were carried out at theDelta Laboratory, certainly a major event inentomological history. Also, Dr. Coad'sconnection with aerial application led him tobecome one of the founders of Delta Airlines,not a small accomplishment for a researchentomologist. The Branch held a joint meetingwith the American Association of EconomicEntomologists in New Orleans, LA., onDecember 31, 1931, followed by the regularseventh annual meeting in Birmingham, AL., onFebruary 3, 1932, with R. W. Harned fromMississippi serving as chairman and HerbertSpencer, vice-chairman. In order to make themeetings of the Cotton States Branch moreaccessible to entomologists in Texas andOklahoma, it was voted at the eleventh annualmeeting, held in Jackson, MS., on February 5,and 6, 1936, that future meetings of the Branchwould be held annually in the following order: West of the Mississippi, on the Mississippi, eastof the Mississippi, and on the Mississippi. Itwas also voted that whenever possible themeeting be held in conjunction with theAssociation of the Southern AgriculturalWorkers. Officers at that time were Clay Lyleof Mississippi State University, chairman, andR. C. Gaines, vice-chairman. No meeting was held in 1943 because ofWorld War II. The eighteenth meeting was heldin 1944 in New Orleans, LA., and was

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designated as the Southern-War Conference onEntomology with emphasis on entomologicalcontributions to the war effort. O. W. Rosewall andE. W. Dunnam were chairman and vice-chairman,respectively of this conference. The 1947 annual meeting was held on January 14,15, and 16 at the Buena Vista Hotel in Biloxi, MS.,with R. C. Gaines, Bureau of Entomology and PlantQuarantine, Tallulah, LA., serving as chairman andJ. A. Berly as vice-chairman. Dr. Ernest N. Cory,president of the American Association of EconomicEntomologists addressed the group at the generalsession. The new synthetic organic insecticideswere extensively reported on throughout themeeting, and a majority of the papers wereaccompanied by visual aids in the form of lanternslides. Two special symposiums held on the finalafternoon were: (1) The Uses of the NewlyDeveloped Insecticides in Pest Control in the Southand Southwest, and (2) Airplane Applications ofInsecticides. Those in attendance, who hadknowledge relative to these subjects, were urged tocontribute. E. W. Dunnam, USDA Cotton Insect Station,Stoneville, MS., served as chairman of thetwenty-fourth annual meeting held in Tampa, FL.,with W. C. Nettles of Clemson, SC., serving asvice-chairman and K. P. Ewing of the USDA inWaco, TX., serving as secretary-treasurer. Thenext annual meeting of the Branch, the twenty-fifthanniversary, was held in 1951 at the Peabody Hotelin Memphis, TN., on February 5, 6, and 7, with J.W. Ingram as chairman. Snow, sleet, and icecovered the highways for hundreds of miles inevery direction from Memphis. Considering theunfavorable weather conditions and the fact thatthere were very few in attendance from Texas andOklahoma, because of the formation of theSouthwestern Branch, the attendance could beconsidered fair. Registration reached a total of 137. It consisted of 26 scheduled papers, interspersedwith invitational speakers. Among the prominent

speakers who brought interesting andinformative messages were Roy E. Campbell,president of the parent association, Alhambra,CA.; F. C. Bishop, assistant chief, in charge ofresearch, Bureau of Entomology and PlantQuarantine, Washington, D.C.; R.T. Yates,representing the National AgriculturalChemicals Association, Wilmington, DE.; andR. W. Harned, in charge, Division of CottonInsects, Washington, D.C. The twenty-seventh meeting, held on February9, 10, 11, 1953, at the Jung Hotel in NewOrleans, LA., was held jointly with theLouisiana Entomological Association andconcurrently with the fiftieth anniversary of theAssociation of Southern Agricultural Workers. This meeting was chaired by Kirby L.Cockerham of Louisiana Agricultural ExtensionService, whose annual address was titled "APlea for a Return to Fundamental Research inEntomology." A. L. Hamner of Mississippi State Collegeserved as vice-chairman, and the newsecretary-treasurer was L. C. Murphree fromStarkville, MS. More than 50 research paperswere presented at this meeting covering a widevariety of entomological subjects. Dr. CharlesE. Palm, president of ESA, spoke to the groupand congratulated the Cotton States Branch forthe honor of holding the first branch meeting ofthe new Entomology Society of America. The twenty-eighth annual meeting was held inthe Hurricane Room of the Buena Vista Hotel inBiloxi, MS., on January 25, 26, and 27, 1954. This meeting was chaired by Frank S. Arant ofAuburn University, and the vice-chairman wasH. C. Young. There was considerablediscussion about the Miller Bill (H. R. 7125),which dealt with several aspects of themanufacture and application of pesticides. Thegroup felt that this bill was an excellent piece oflegislation and urged members of Congress to

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give it their full support. In the invitational address,E. F. Knipling, Washington, D. C., spoke on"Entomology in the Reorganized U.S. Departmentof Agriculture." In 1954 the one-hundredth anniversary ofprofessional entomology in the United States wascelebrated. The thirty-second annual meeting of the Branchwas held in Memphis, TN., on December 2, 3, 4,and 5, 1957. Norman Allen served as chairman,with Charles Lincoln as vice-chairman and MarvinE. Merkl as secretary-treasurer of the Branch. There was no meeting in 1958. The thirty-third annual meeting of the CottonStates Branch was also held in Memphis, TN., atthe Hotel Peabody on February 2, 3, and 4, 1959. Charles A. Lincoln of the University of Arkansaswas the last chairman to serve as executive officerunder the old Branch name. The vice-chairmanwas F. G. Guyton of Auburn University. Thesecretary's report showed a total of 633 members asof January 31, 1959. Florida had the mostmembers with 180 and Georgia second, with 100. This showed the Branch with an increase of 90members over the past year. A review of the history on the matter of changingthe name of the Branch indicates there has beenconsiderable dissatisfaction with the name by acertain faction during the whole period theorganization has been in existence. Thisdissatisfaction was first voiced at the seventhannual meeting in 1932. A vote favoring changingthe name to Southern States Branch was recorded atthat meeting, but final action was postponed to thenext meeting to permit further consideration of theaction. At the 1933 meeting in New Orleans amajority overruled the action taken at the previousannual meeting. At the twenty-second annual meeting held in1948 in Atlanta, GA., the Executive Committeerecommended that the incoming ExecutiveCommittee give consideration to the desirability of

changing the name. The Executive Committeerecommended at the twenty-third annualmeeting in 1949 that a more appropriate namebe selected by the incoming ExecutiveCommittee. At the annual meeting in 1951 andagain in 1952, the Executive Committeereported it had decided to keep the name CottonStates Branch. But a motion to resubmit thematter to the Executive Committee carried. In1953 the Executive Committee decided topostpone action until after the reorganization ofthe parent society, which was in progress at thattime. There were battles until the end. The reasons usually advanced for keeping thename were that it had been used for 30 years andthere was nothing to be gained by changing thename. The reasoning of the pro name changegroup were basically anti-cotton. Quoting areport of the committee on changing the name,"The name Cotton States no longer applies tothe Southern States. Large acreages of cottonare produced in California, Arizona, NewMexico and Nevada. The 1955 cotton acreageallotment for these four states was 1,630,657acres. In recent years the Southwestern StatesBranch has been organized. This branchincludes other large cotton producing states suchas Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The 1955 acreage allotment for the cottongrowing states in the southwestern StatesBranch was 10,414,677 acres. This leaves6,067,874 acres for the states composing ourBranch, which is only about one-third of thetotal acreage allotment for the United States. There was a time when cotton was the principaleconomic crop of the states now comprising theCotton States Branch. During that time papersdealing with insects attacking cotton formed byfar the major part of the program for the annualmeeting. That time has passed. Entomologistsworking in other phases of economicentomology in the states of our Branch now

8282

greatly outnumber those interested in cotton. Thisdiversity of interests is reflected in recent programs. We believe that this diversity of interest andprogram strengthens both the entomological workbeing conducted in our states and our Branch of thesociety. Furthermore we believe this broad interestshould be encouraged." With this strong argumentthe pro-change group won, and since 1960 thename has been the Southeastern Branch of theEntomology Society of America. The thirty-fourth annual meeting of the Branchwas held at the Hotel Desoto, Savannah, GA., onJanuary 25, 26, and 27, 1960. F. E. Guyton ofAuburn University was the new chairman of thebranch with a new name. Vice-chairman was I. J.Becnel of Metairie, LA., and the secretary-treasurerwas Marvin E. Merkl of Leland, MS. Becnel thenserved as chairman of the thirty-fifth annualmeeting held at the Admiral Semmes Hotel inMobile, AL., January 23, 24, and 25, 1961. Of the76 papers presented at this meeting, 25 were stillrelated to cotton insect pests, primarily the bollweevil. The thirty-seventh annual meeting of the Branchwas held in the Hotel Heidelburg, Jackson, MS., onJanuary 29, 30, and 31, 1963. R. J. Kowal of Asheville, NC., served aschairman, with W. Carl Nettles of Clemson, SC., aschairman-elect. There were 283 members andguests registered for the three-day meeting. Theregistrants were as follows: 229 regular members;33 student members; 6 invited guests; 15 ladies.The membership received a welcome address fromMayor Allen C. Thompson of Jackson, MS., inwhich he briefly outlined the progress of Jackson inits municipality, education and recreationalprograms. Si Corley, Commissioner of Agricultureof Mississippi, gave an address on agriculture inMississippi. Kowal introduced Ed Steinhouse,president of the Entomological Society of America. Steinhaus discussed briefly some of the problemsof the national organization and of the American

Institute of Biological Science. The next Branch meeting was scheduled to beheld with the National ESA meeting in NewOrleans, LA., on November 29, throughDecember 2, 1965. John C. Alden chaired theFortieth Branch Meeting at the Jung Hotel onCanal Street, and Marvin E. Merkl served aschairman-elect. The Dinkler Motor Hotel in Atlanta, GA., wasthe site of the forty-first meeting of theSoutheastern Branch, ESA, held in 1967. Marvin Merkl, research entomologist at the BollWeevil Research Laboratory, Mississippi State,MS., served as chairman and John Roussell fromLouisiana State University was chairman-elect. Following Merkl's address, A. W. A. Brown,President, ESA, London, Ontario, Canada,spoke to the group on "Insect Control in aChanging World." Another invitational paperwas entitled "Pesticides and the Environment,"presented by Louis A. McLean, VelsicolChemical Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. The Buena Vista Hotel on the beach at Biloxi,MS., was the site of the forty-third Branchmeeting on January 27, 28, 29, and 30, 1969. C.M. Beckham of Experiment, GA., was chairmanwith S. R. Morris of New Orleans, LA., aschairman-elect. L. C. Kuitert of Gainesville,FL., served as secretary-treasurer. The generalsession was in the Hurricane Room, which wasprophetic in that later in the year HurricaneCamille demolished most of the Mississippicoastal area, including the Buena Vista Hotel. At this meeting papers were presented byD. D. Hardee and W. H. Cross on the use ofmale-baited traps in survey, research, andcontrol of boll weevils throughout the cottonbelt. The forty-fourth meeting of the SoutheasternBranch was held at the Arlington Hotel, HotSprings, AR., on January 26 through 30, 1970. Chairman of this meeting was Sam R. Morris of

8383

New Orleans, with W. G. Eden of Gainesville, FL.,serving as chairman-elect. The secretary-treasurerjob was taken over by T. R. Pfrimmer, ARS,USDA, Stoneville, MS. Clyde F. Smith of Raleigh, NC., was president ofthe forty-seventh meeting held January 31 throughFebruary 1, 1973, in Savannah, GA., and T. R.Pfrimmer of ESA, from East Lansing, MI., gave theopening remarks and was followed by EveretteOertel, Historian of the Southeastern Branch, whogave a brief history of the Branch up until this time. Also at this meeting Dr. E. N. Lambremont,Louisiana State University, told about the LSUCalifornium-252 Demonstration Center and theopportunity it presents for studying neutronradiation effects in insects. The accumulation andrate of decline of Mirex in milk, eggs, and poultrymeat were discussed by Jerry G. Medley, USDA,APHIS, PPQ, Gulfport, MS. Dr. T. R. Pfrimmer with the BioenvironmentalInsect Control Laboratory, USDA, ARS,Stoneville, MS., became Branch president in 1974. The forty-eighth meeting of the SoutheasternBranch was again held at the Peabody Hotel inMemphis, TN., on January 29-31, 1974. Perry LeeAdkisson was now president of ESA and gave theopening remarks. Attendance was down fromprevious years, and only 77 papers were presented. Two papers were presented at this meeting ontobacco budworm hybrids developed by Marion L.Laster, Stoneville, MS. Alton N. Sparks, ARS,USDA, Tifton, GA., discussed insects in the Gulfof Mexico, and Edwin W. King of ClemsonUniversity, spoke on "The Face Fly as a PossibleSource of Protein." The 1978 meeting was in Gainesville, FL., andAlton Sparks with the USDA, ARS, in Tifton, GA.was president and Fowden Maxwell of MississippiState University, president-elect. Maxwell servedas branch president at the fifty-third meeting held in1979 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. Atthis January meeting Dr. Maxwell addressed the

group on "Present Status and Future Plans of theAmerican Registry of ProfessionalEntomologists." Invitational papers werepresented by L. D. Newsom, Louisiana StateUniversity, William E. Bowers, CornellUniversity and Donald E. Weidhaas, USDA,Gainesville, FL. The fifty-fourth meeting was at the RoyalD'Iberville Hotel, in Biloxi, MS. Sam G.Turnipseed from Blackville, SC., was president. Dial F. Martin from Stoneville, MS., waspresident-elect and James W. Todd, from Tifton,GA., served as secretary-treasurer. Stan Beckaddressed the group on behalf of the NationalSociety. The invitational address was given byHomer C. Folks, assistant director for HigherEducation, USDA, SEA, Washington, D. C., on"Status of IPM Education." Dial F. Martin was president of the branch forthe fifty-fifth meeting held in Atlanta along withthe National meeting on November 30 throughDecember 4, 1980. President James E. Payne,Sr., of Mobay Corporation died in office, July 5,l981, and President-elect Robert L. Rabb ofNorth Carolina State University presided in hisplace during the fifty-sixth meeting of theBranch in Mobile, AL., January 25-28, 1982. Darryl Hansen, Executive Director, ESA,addressed the general session. The ladiesprogram featured a cruise on the Governor'syacht and a tour of Bellingrath Gardens. Robert L. Rabb was president at thefifty-seventh meeting held at the Camelot Hotel,Little Rock, AR., January 24-27, 1983. Aspecial boll weevil conference was held inconjunction with the branch meeting. Ninepapers were presented at this conferenceincluding one by the late Bill Cross, who spokeon "Boll Weevil: Significance of NorthernMexico Populations." This was a well attendedmeeting, with 170 papers presented. Thesixty-first branch meeting was at the Sheraton

8484

Regency Convention Center in Jackson, MS. DonV. Allemann was president for 1987. A specialsession was held on "The State of the AgriculturalChemical Industry." The session was chaired by J.R. Phillips of the University of Arkansas. Interests and activities of members of the Branchhave changed over the past 85 years. During thefirst half of our history the emphasis was onagricultural entomology, particularly boll weeviland cotton insect control, although other problemsreceived consideration. As the membership grew,subjects covered at annual meetings became morediversified to include pests of most farmcommodities, forest insects, structural pest control,public health and veterinary entomology,systematics, quarantine and regulatory entomology,toxicology, ecology, and other subjects. Theseexpanded interests, were the principal reasons forchanging the name to Southeastern Branch. Following World War II, availability of syntheticorganic insecticides stimulated interest in chemicalcontrol of arthropod pests. The interest wasreflected in research papers presented at annualmeetings, indicating that nearly all insect pestscould be controlled effectively with insecticides. An address by a member of the Branch at a meetingof the parent society stated that the profession ofentomology was on the threshold of an era of insecteradication of major pests with the new syntheticinsecticides. However, problems with resistance,residues, carcinogens, and mutagens soon began toarise, and any ideas of eradication replacing controlof insect pests were discarded. There was a shift inBranch programs toward more basic and lessapplied research. Eighty percent of the paperspresented at Branch

meetings in 1956 and 1957 were on appliedsubjects. In 1968, eighty percent of the paperswere on subjects considered to be basic. Morerecently, has been considerable emphasis onsuch subjects as pheromones, diapause, biology,ecology, pathogens and parasites, physiologyand toxicology, biological control, integratedcontrol, bionomics, surveys, and pestmanagement.

8585

IMPACT OF MISSISSIPPIENTOMOLOGISTS

ON THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON COTTON INSECT RESEARCH

AND CONTROL

C. R. ParenciaStoneville, MS

Each year research and Extension entomologistsand associate technical workers from 14cotton-growing states, the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, the National CottonCouncil of America, Cotton Incorporated, industry,and consultant associations meet to review researchand experiences of the previous year and toformulate control recommendations. The conference was established after thedevelopment of organic insecticides for cottoninsect control in the mid-1940's. The newinsecticides were such an improvement over thosepreviously available that their evaluation as quicklyas possible was imperative. Of equal importancewas that all concerned with cotton insect controlhave the latest information on the performance ofthe various insecticides available to them. Professor R.W. Harned, who was in charge ofcotton insect research for the Department ofAgriculture from 1931 to 1953, is credited withbeing the "father" of the conference. In the fall of1946, he called a conference of staff members ofhis division's laboratories at Tallullah, Louisiana. Appropriate Agricultural Experiment Station andExtension Service personnel of Louisiana and

Texas were invited to participate. That was theforerunner of the First Annual Conference onCotton Insect Research and Control held inStoneville, MS, November 17-19, 1947. Othersin the Agricultural Research Administration(ARA) who supported Professor Harned ininitiating the conference in addition tolaboratory leaders F. F. Bondy, E. W. Dunnam,R.C. Gaines, K. P. Ewing, and A. J. Chapman,were A. S. Hoyt, F. C. Bishop, R. L. Haller, E.R. McGovran, and M. P. Jones. Those from thestates supporting the conference were DwightIsely and Charles Lincoln, Arkansas; F.S. Arantand Jerry Ruffin, Alabama; C. E. Smith and W.S. McGregor, Louisiana; Clay Lyle and L. C.Murphree, Mississippi; Walter Kulash and JimConner, North Carolina; M. D. Farrar, and W.C.Nettles, South Carolina; H. G. Johnston and C.A. King, Texas; and F.A. Fenton and C. F.Stiles, Oklahoma. Fifty two conferees participated in the firstannual conference. Of the ARA Laboratoryleaders, E.W. Dunnam (Stoneville), E. P. Ewing,and A. J. Chapman were graduates ofMississippi Agricultural and Mechanical

8686

College, now Mississippi State University. Of thestate supporters, Clay Lyle, who succeeded R. W.Harned as head of the department at Mississippi A& M College, L. C. Murphree, Jim Conner, andH.G. Johnston were natives of Mississippi andgraduates of Mississippi A & M College. ProfessorHarned served as general chairman for the first sixconferences, K. P. Ewing for the next four, C. F.Rainwater, for the next eight, C. R. Parencia for thenext sixteen, and J. R. Phillips since that time withco-chairman from ARS. M. E. Merkl, D. L. Bull,and E. G. King served with Phillips in two-yearterms. J. R. Phillips and E. G. King are the currentco-chairmen. K. R. Ewing and C. F. Rainwaterwere natives of Mississippi and graduates ofMississippi A & M College. Through the years Mississippi entomologists havecontinued to support and participate in theconference. C. A. Wilson of the Mississippi StateUniversity Department of Entomology, along withothers from adjoining States, brought their studentsin economic entomology to the conferences, whichwere valuable learning experiences for them. The report that was issued after each conferencewas considered to be the cotton insect "bible" of theworld. It was distributed throughout the worldwhere cotton is grown. Unfortunately, it has beendiscontinued in recent years. As a result of the annual conferences, there is noother agricultural area with as much compatibilityamong State, Federal, and industry personnel in theresearch, Extension, and control efforts for insectsthan those that attack cotton. The Fortieth AnnualConference was held in Dallas, Texas January 4-8,1987.

8787

INSECTICIDEFORMULATORS/PACKAGERS

L. C. MurphreeStarkville, MS

The Agricultural Chemical Industry has had amajor impact on increased yields and more efficientproduction of crops in Mississippi. Before 1948 calcium arsenate was the primaryinsecticide used for boll weevil control. It couldonly be used as a dust, with limitations on its usage. Up to this time there was no chemical formulatingplant in Mississippi. With the introduction of the syntheticorganochlorine insecticides such as benzenehexachloride, DDT, toxaphene, aldrin, dieldrin,cotton insect control became much more popularwith farmers resulting in a tremendous increase inthe usage of cotton insecticides and in numbers ofchemical formulating companies being organized inMississippi. The following are chemical formulatingcompanies organized in Mississippi since 1948. Some have changed ownership several times. Some have closed down. Several are still inoperation.

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALCORPORATION (Depester Brand), Greenville,(1951-1962) was owned by Clint Murchison ofTexas. Doc Parrish was manager. S. L. Calhounwas consulting entomologist. They boughtGreenville Chemical Company in 1951. In 1962they sold to Thompson-Hayward, who operated theplant until 1981. In 1981 Thompson-Hayward soldtheir inventory to Uniroyal and the formulating

plant to Platte Chemical Company.

CALIFORNIA CHEMICALCORPORATION (Ortho Brand), Cleveland,was built in the early fifties. John Lockridgewas manager. It was sold to General ChemicalCorporation in late fifties. General Chemicalsold the plant to Cleveland Chemical in 1964.

CHAMPION CHEMICAL COMPANY,Canton, (1957-1969) was owned and managedby Jim Conner. Champion was sold toRiverside Chemical in 1972. Riverside sold theplant to Mississippi Federated Coops. in 1977. MFC closed the formulating plant.

CLEVELAND CHEMICAL COMPANY,Cleveland, (l964-still in business) was owned byJimmie and Mike Sanders. The company startedas Jimmie Sanders Seed Company in 1953. Jimmie formed Cleveland Chemical Companyin 1964 and bought General ChemicalCorporation's formulating plant.

COAHOMA CHEMICAL COMPANY (RedPanther Brand), Clarksdale, (1948-1972) wasorganized in 1948 by Harvey Gresham, BuckButler, Kinchen O'Keefe and Jim Faloon. L. C.Murphree and Cliff Porterfield were consultantentomologists. It was sold in 1972 to RiversideChemical, who operated it until 1977.

8888

Mississippi Federated Coops. bought the RedPanther Logo and plant in 1977.

GENERAL CHEMICAL CORP (Division ofAllied Chemical), Cleveland, purchased theformulating facilities of California Chemical in thelate fifties and operated it until they sold ClevelandChemical in 1964.

GREENVILLE CHEMICAL COMPANY,Greenville, (1948-1951) was organized in 1948. Itwas in business until it was sold to AgriculturalChemical Corporation in 1951.

HAYES-SAMMON (Mission Brand), Indianola,(1956-1966) sold the plant in 1966 to AmericanCyanamid who operated it two years and in 1968leased it to Staplcot'n Association. Staplcot'noperated it until 1982. It has now been converted toa feed mill.

NIAGARA CHEMICAL DIVISION (FMC),Greenville, (1949-1961) had Horace Lee asregional manager. In 1961 it sold the formulatingplant to Thompson-Hayward.

OLIN MATHISTON CHEMICALCORPORATION, Leland, (1959-1984) sold itsinventory in 1984 to Uniroyal and closed the plant.

PLATTE CHEMICAL COMPANY ANDTRI-STATES-DELTA (Con-Agri.), Greenville,was established in 1981 and continues in business. In 1981 they bought Niagara's and the AgriculturalChemical Company's formulating plants fromThompson-Hayward. Platte Chemical Companymanufactures for them and Tri-States-Delta sells.

RED PANTHER CHEMICAL COMPANY,Clarksdale, (organized in 1977 and continues inbusiness) with John Duff as president, CharlieBrown as general manager, and Cliff Porterfield as

entomologist and responsible for Tech Service. Mississippi Federated Coop bought the RedPanther Logo and chemical plant from Riversidein 1977. In 1979 it joined with Alabama FarmersCoop and Tennessee Farmers Coop in theoperation of Red Panther Chemical Co. RIVERSIDE CHEMICAL COMPANY,Marks, (1948-1977) becameRIVERSIDE-TERRA CHEMICAL, INC. in1977 and continues in operation. RiversideChemical was organized in 1948 by WilliamKing Self and the Self Family. T. M. Wallerwas chief agronomist. In 1970 Cook Industriesof Memphis bought Riverside but continued tooperate it as Riverside Chemical. In 1977 TerraInternational, Inc. bought Riverside from Cookand now operates as RIVERSIDE-TERRA.

STAPLCOT'N ASSOCIATION, Greenwood,(1968-1982) leased the Hayes-Sammonformulating plant and operated with Don Ford asmanager of the chemical division from 1968 to1982.

THOMPSON HAYWARD CHEMICALCORP, Greenville, (1962-1981) boughtAgricultural Chemical Company and NiagaraChemical facilities in 1962. It sold its inventoryto to Platte Chemical Company (Con-Agri) in1981.

VALLEY CHEMICAL COMPANY,(Ashcraft-Wilkerson), Greenville, (1950-1954)was managed by Paul Betts with CliffPorterfield as entomologist. It was sold toValley Chemical Company (Coop) in 1954.

VALLEY CHEMICAL COOP, (ValcoBrand), Greenville, (1954-1986) was operatedby Henry Crosby, president; Carl Bauer,manager; and George Sistrunk, in charge of

8989

fieldmen. It closed the business in 1986.

The introduction of organic insecticides andchanges in equipment for applying insecticidesincreased the use of sprays. As a result, a number ofspray manufacturing companies were organized inMississippi.

BELL, INC., Inverness, was organized in 1950 byRed Bell, Stan Lanender, and Billie Duncan andcontinues in business.

GOTCHER MFG. COMPANY, Clarksdale, wasorganized and owned by Bill Gotcher but is nolonger in business.

KBH MFG. COMPANY, Clarksdale, was ownedand operated by B. Bass in 1951 and continues tooperate.

MAGNOLIA SPRAY EQUIPMENT CORP.,Jackson, was organized in 1947 with James Roachas President. It handled Yellow Devil sprayequipment. That has been sold to an out-of-statecompany.

S & N SPRAYER CO., INC., Greenwood, wasorganized in 1950 by J. C. Norris and Roy Sorrelland continues in business. Buster Norris is thecurrent operator.

MFC SERVICES, Madison, assembled anddistributed spray equipment to member coop stores.

In addition to the suppliers of field cropinsecticides, the development of the newchemicals resulted in a number of smallpackagers or insecticides for use in the home,gardens, orchards, and etc.They are as follows:

Bancroft Paper Company, JacksonB & M Specialty Company, HattiesburgBanc Chemical Inc., JacksonDacus, Inc., TupeloDavis Specialty Chemical Co., JacksonEnviroco, RaymondGinn Chemical Company, RidgelandGen/Special-Davis Specialty, JacksonFrontier Laboratories, RaymondHalsen Prod. (Davis Specialty), BelmontHarris Superior Products, JacksonJackson Paper-Davis Spec., JacksonJanitor's Supply Paper Co., GreenvilleLicks Janitorial Supply, ClevelandMFC Services, MadisonMiller Chemical Co., Inc., BrookhavenNewell Paper Company, MeridianOmega Products, Inc., ClintonRed Panther Chemical Co., ClarksdaleRedd Pest Control Co., JacksonSanitary Supply (Davis Specialty), JacksonSpain, Inc., ClevelandSunbow, Inc., JacksonSmackover, Inc., HattiesburgWHF, Inc., JacksonWinco Chemical Co., Inc., Jackson

9090

PRIVATE RESEARCHSTATIONS

W. O. Miller Leland, MS

The Dow Chemical Company stationed a residentresearch man (Andy Watson) in Greenville in 1953. Twenty acres of land were leased on the BillupsPlantation at Indianola with an office in Greenville. R. G. "Gordon" Hanson came on board as directorin 1956 and rented 60 acres of land near the Indianmounds at Winterville. In 1961, 80 acres of landwere purchased at Wayside, the present site of theDow Agricultural Research Center. In 1976 anadditional 100 acres were acquired near Burdette. Directors following Gordon Hanson were BobHunter, Orlo Jantz, Wayne Wright, Robert Fears,Leonard Smith, John Hunter, and the present, CraigHanson. The farm manager has been Tom Orsisince 1961. Hercules Agricultural Chemical Company established a research farm at Prattville, Alabamain 1964 and moved this station to Refuge Plantationnear the Arkansas-Mississippi, Greenville bridge in1969. Jim Land was the director of the HerculesSouthern Field Research Station until 1979. Boots Pharmaceutical Company of England purchased the Hercules Agricultural Chemical'sbusiness in 1979 and continued to run the farm atthe same location until 1981 as the Boots HerculesAgrochemical Company. Jim Land remained asdirector. Fisons of England bought Boots Pharmaceutical'sagricultural chemicals business in 1981 andcontinued to operate at the same location until 1983as BFC Chemicals. Jim Land remained in charge. Nor-Am purchased BFC Chemicals in August,1983, and sold the experimental farm to DuPont atthat time. Jim Land's duties changed from research

director to research and development. Stauffer Chemical Company established aresearch farm near Burdette, Mississippi early in1964 under the supervision of Byron Lake. JohnLeyton became the supervisor in 1965, followedby Jim Connell, who served until 1987. ICI Americas purchased the Stauffer station in1987 and is presently managed by LarryCoombes. American Chemical Paint Companyestablished an agricultural research farm justsouth of Wayside, Mississippi early in 1966. Cliff Mitchell was the director until 1974. Directors were David Austin (1975), MalcolmCarter (1976-1978), and Delbert Dyson(1978-1980). Union Carbide purchased thestation in 1980 and Larry Coombes served asdirector until 1987. Rhone-Poulenc AgriculturalCompany purchased Union Carbide in 1987 andclosed the facility. BASF Wyandotte leased an estimated 120acres of land about six miles south ofGreenville, on the Refuge Plantation, in 1966. This was the beginning of the BASF ResearchFarm initially managed by Jack Thompson. In1967 B. Wuerzer became the manager andserved until 1975. In 1974 the land waspurchased. Each year about 25 additional acresare rented for research purposes. In 1975 M.Schroeder took over the managerial duties,serving until 1985. The current manager is H.Walter. The research station of the ChevronChemical Company was established on OldAbide Road near the Greenville Airport on the

9191

Hammett Farm on June 1, 1966. The initialdirector was B. W. Kirby. Boykin Witherspoonassumed the duties (1969-1972) followed by JanHerholt (1973). A. A. Whipp served as directorfrom 1973 to 1980. R. T. "Bob" Kincade becamedirector in 1980 and continues to direct the researchprogram. In November, 1985 a purchase of 200acres on the Old Leland Road moved the station toits present site. The Ciba-Geigy research facility located atWinterville, Mississippi, was established by theGeigy Chemical Company in 1970 with thepurchase of 200 acres from the old MalvinaPlantation. The first farm manager was DavidAustin. With the merger of Geigy AgriculturalChemicals and Ciba Agrochemical Company in1972, the site became known as the Ciba-GeigyDelta Research Farm. James Thomas became thefarm manager in 1975. Don Hays has served as thefacility manager since 1980. In 1986 the facilitywas upgraded to station status and is known as theDelta Research Station. Mobay Corporation, Ag. Chemical Div.,established a research farm near Benoit in 1979. The 180 acres have been operating since that timeunder the supervision of Lyndon Almand. Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc. established aresearch farm near Tunica in 1979 under themanagerial leadership of George Hoffman. The 40acres involved were leased. A new manager, PaulNester, was appointed in 1983 and served until thefacility was closed in 1985. Hoechst-Rousselestablished a research farm on approximately 80acres a few miles south of Leland in 1980. Theoriginal manager was Jim Thomas. In 1984 MartinHess assumed the managerial duties and continuesin the position. Rhone-Poulenc Ag. Company was establishednear Burdette in 1981 under the leadership ofRichard Verner. He remained director until 1987,when Union Carbide was purchased. Thedirectorship was assumed by Fitz R. Parman from

California. Sandoz Crop Protection Corp. was establishedin 1982 on 60 acres of land near the Fish Lakebridge just east of Greenville. The first farmmanager was David Shibles. In 1983 the size ofthe stations was increased to 93 acres, 140 acresin 1986, and 153 acres in 1987. Shibles wassucceeded by Dan Ragsdale, Pedro Schmid, andthe present director, Holland Jordan.

9292

HISTORY OF PRIVATE CONSULTINGIN MISSISSIPPI

F. Aubrey Harris

Stoneville, MSC. A. WilsonStarkville, MS

Private insect management consulting in arelative new profession in Mississippi. Theprofession began significant growth in the early1950's and has thrived because growers neededexpert insect control advice. Private consulting incotton insect pest control advice. Competentindividuals saw the opportunity and gave credibilityto the profession when they went into business. TheEntomology Department at Mississippi StateUniversity trained and encouraged youngentomologists for the profession, and entomologistsat the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Servicedeveloped programs that promoted the use ofconsultants. Private entomology consulting started primarilyas a service to cotton producers for insect controladvice, but the service has since been broadened toinclude other crops such as soybeans, rice, andgrain sorghum. However, cotton remains theprimary crop for consultant work. Farmers who have needed insect control advicehave obtained this service from many sourcesincluding county, area, and state CooperativeExtension Service specialists; insecticidemanufacturers, distributors, and dealers; and fromindividuals who sell both chemicals and services inconsulting and application of the chemicals. However, many consultants have organized aprofessional association which defines a private

consultant as one who offers only service for afee to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

Conditions ThatChallenged andEncouraged Private Consulting Advances in agricultural technology and theassociated rapid changes in production methodsin the late 1940's and 1950's ushered in aconcurrent need for more highly trained andskilled agricultural technicals and professionalsin all phases of agriculture. For about threedecades after boll weevils first infested cotton inMississippi it was a major pest and there werefew control measures available and none werevery effective. Calcium arsenate dust wasinferior and difficult to apply. Applicationtechnology was in its infancy. A few culturalmethods such as early planting and stalkdestruction helped but had limited effectiveness. This situation existed until the early 1950'swhen organochlorine insecticides were firstproduced. The first two organochlorine products to reachthe market after World War II were toxaphene(chlorinated camphene) and BHC (benzenehexachloride), both introduced in 1947. BHChad a quick kill but short residual activity while

9393

toxaphene was slower acting but longer lasting. These two products began the era of organicchemical insecticides. Soon other organochlorineinsecticides including DDT, endrin, dieldrin, andothers followed, which were highly effective butpersistent enough to create environmentalproblems. This led to Rachel Carson's SilentSpring, subsequent public awareness of pesticidepollution, and finally to the banning of most uses ofthis class of insecticides. About a decade after the first organochlorineinsecticides were introduced, a new group ofinsecticides, the organophosphates, werediscovered. As each new product was introducedeach had unique characteristics. Some were fastacting with short residuals, some were slow actingwith long residuals, some were highly effectiveagainst only one or a few pests. Each had aspectrum of activity that ranged to slightly differentto greatly different from any other product. Theresult was that growers began to need to knowexactly what pest or complex of pests wereinfesting his crop at a specific time, and to knowwhat choice of insecticide would fit the specificpest situation. Secondary pests, such as cottonaphids, became serious when attention was notgiven to the biological factors causing theiroutbreaks and when improper insecticides werechosen and used wrongly. Many factors began tobe important in making insect control decisions: (1)the need to avoid unnecessary applications, theneed to carefully time applications, (2) the need tochoose the right chemical or mixture of chemicals,(3) the need to understand insecticide chemistryand toxicology to assure performance and safety toworkers and nontarget organisms, (4) the need tounderstand insect and crop biology to deal withsecondary pests and resistance to insecticides, and(5) the need to know the many regulations applyingto the use of the products. The complexity of theseinteracting factors have increasingly demanded thespecial training and skills of a professional insect

management consultant. Lack of availability of other sources of advicehas contributed to the need for privateconsultants. Special training in entomology andinsect control were essential and not alwaysadequately instilled in other sources and oftentheir time available for scouting and advisingwas limited. Also, some of the most competententomologists have worked in sales andtechnical service for chemical companies anddealers, but their time to spend with individualgrowers has been insufficient.

Early History Although significant development of privateinsect management consulting did not occuruntil the 1950's, earlier accounts of privateconsulting in the 1930's indicate a fewindividuals, who had other jobs and contractedwith the larger and more progressive cottonproducers to scout a few acres and give insectcontrol advice after hours. Two individuals known to be in the businessin 1932 are A. G. Bennett and L. C. Murphree,both with distinguished careers in entomologywith the Mississippi Cooperative ExtensionService and in the industry. Chemical companies developing andmarketing the organochlorine insecticidesbecame very competitive and employedentomologists to promote their products. By theearly 1950's growers became concerned aboutthe advice obtained from these companyentomologists and began to seek privateconsultants. Several entomologists started in the privatebusiness between 1952 and 1955. All of themwill not be recorded here, but selectedinformation from case studies of three of themare presented to document how the professionbegan its growth. They are Jim Rawson, Tom

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Edwards, and Mills Rogers. One of the first cotton growers in Mississippi toseek a private entomologist was William (Bill)Yandell, Sr., of Vance, MS. In 1952 Yandell calledRoss Hutchins, the head of the Department ofZoology and Entomology at Mississippi StateCollege, Starkville, MS, to inquire about thepossibility of contracting with an entomologystudent to look after his cotton insect controlprogram. This resulted in J. W. Rawson, who wascompleting a B.S. degree at the time at MississippiState, accepting that challenge during the summerof 1952. The job was to inspect 3000 acres ofcotton, decide when any portion needed treatmentand to decide what pesticide to use. In additional,this entomologist was charged with theresponsibility of purchasing the proper chemicalsand supervising their application. Rawsoncontinued to work with Yandell for the next fiveyears while attending graduate schools atMississippi State and Texas A & M. He laterturned the job over to Charles Goodwin in 1957. Jack Flautt, owner of Flautt Flying Service ofSwan Lake, Mississippi, liked what he sawhappening on the Yandell Plantation as his planesapplied pesticides during the summer of 1952. Heand a group of other growers decided that they toowould like to employ a private entomologist andinquired of Rawson's capabilities of handling theirfarms. They were told that 3000 acres were all thatone man could properly manage; however, Rawsoncontacted one of his classmates, Robert (Bobby)Sims, who was interested in a career as a consultingentomologist. Sims contacted the group andbecame employed by them for the summer of 1953. In 1954 when a group of entomologists graduatedfrom Mississippi State with M.S. degrees, acompany named All-Delta Pest Control was formedwith headquarters in Greenwood, Mississippi. Thegroup that operated this company (R. Sims, JohnWebb, Tom Edwards) planned to do domestic pestcontrol work as well as contract consultant work for

cotton growers. James Molpus was added as apartner shortly after the formation of thebusiness. After a short period of time, JohnWebb took over the operation of the domesticpest control business and all other memberswent their separate ways to work cotton. At thetime of this writing, Molpus has deceased, TomEdwards and Bobby Sims retired in 1988. JohnWebb continues with All-Delta Pest Controlbusiness along with his son. About the sametime that All-Delta Pest Control was formed,other entomologists such as Virgil Stokes, ArlieWilson, and Mills Rogers began their careers asconsultants. Mills Rogers started his cotton entomologyconsultant business in 1953 after graduatingfrom Mississippi State with a M. S. degree inentomology. He says most of the entomologistswho graduated in the 1950's were World War IIor Korean War veterans. They were mature andmost had families and were serious about theircareers. In the first years of business Rogersreports that there was no other person making aliving from private cotton entomologyconsulting in the Boliver County area. Hereports starting fees to be as low as $.75/acre. The 1989 per acre fee for most consultantsranges from $4.00 to $5.00. Rogers reports that in the 1950's fewinsecticides were applied as sprays. Most cottoninsecticides were formulated as dusts whichneeded to be applied in the early morning beforedew dried from the plants or late in the eveningafter dew began to form so the dust wouldadhere to the plants. Airplanes applying dustswould leave a cloud of material suspended overa field for several hours on a still morning. While reminiscing Rogers wondered about thereaction of present day environmentalists if theycould have seen those dust applications. Rogers recalls some names of people whograduated from Mississippi State with degrees in

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entomology and moved to the Delta to start careers:John Webb at Greenwood, James Molpus atClarksdale, Robert Douglas Sims at Sumner, TomEdwards at Clarksdale, and Argie Wilson at Walls. Tom Edwards graduated in 1954 with a M. S.degree in entomology. Immediately aftergraduation Edwards began working as a cottonconsultant in the Coahoma and Quitman countyarea. He credits his friends and college classmatesBobby Sims and Jim Rawson with influencing hiscareer decision. Sims went with Edwards to theDelta in February of 1954 to contact growers whomight be interested in hiring a consultant. Edwardssaw the potential to combine a teaching career withconsulting which he pursued until retiring fromteaching in 1986. Some of Edwards' early clients were MarvinSigmon, Jr. of Sherard, E. J. Mullens, Jr. of Lyon,R. A. Carson of Lambert, and Rufus Wright ofLambert. Fields were small in 1954 with 46making up 410 acres for R. A. Carson. In 1988only 8 fields comprised that acreage on the samefarm. In 1954 there was no other entomologist workingas a consultant for a fee. Edwards reports a greatdemand existed for independent consultants afterhis first year. Edwards reports a big difference in the workrequired to check acreage divided into many smallfields compared to the larger fields of today. In1954 he traveled before sunrise to the first field andwait for enough light to see and work until pickupheadlights were needed to see how to leave the lastfield of the day. He consulted on 4200 acresworking the "sunup to sundown" hours for six dayseach week in the growing season. Part of thereason for the long days and full weeks of work onrelatively few acres was due to the small fields, butof equal importance was the dedication to doing anexcellent job. One of the important ways that new consultantsgained necessary experience before starting their

own businesses was by working as scouts andcrew leaders for the older consultants. TomEdwards and All-Delta Pest Control hiredseveral individuals who continued on in careersas consultants of professional entomologists inother capacities. One such individual was LeslieEllis, who was a professor in the Department ofEntomology and Zoology at Mississippi Stateand who had a consultant service. Arlie Wilson, also a professor in the samedepartment, had started a consultant service in1955. Wilson and Ellis combined their acreagein a joint venture in 1959 and worked togetheruntil 1967. Harold Arnett also worked as a crew leader forEdwards and later earned a Ph. D. degree inentomology. Other employees who worked asscouts then formed consultant businesses wereClyde Sartor, Mike Sartor, and Edwards' son,Mike. H. C. Mitchell was a respected researcherand Extension entomologist who started hiscareer as an employee of Tom Edwards. Many other consultants have had rewardingand productive careers from 1950 until thepresent.

Regulation and Certification Private consulting has become a morecomplex and demanding business than it was 30years ago. Consequently, consultants haveformed professional associations and havesought state regulation and licensing of theprofession to enhance their competence and

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professional recognition. Mississippi has a mandatory licensing law toregulate the qualifications of individuals who giveadvice on pesticide use. Mississippi initiated aconsultant licensing program in 1962 that wasessentially voluntary, so that any interestedindividual who met education and experiencerequirements could be licensed. However, anyonewho advertised as a professional consultant wasrequired to be licensed. In 1972 the Mississippiregulation was amended to require licensing of allconsultants who give pesticides use advice andcharge a fee for the advice. Minimum educationand an written examination are required. Annualrenewal of each license and participation inapproved workshops is mandatory.

REGULATION OF PESTSAND

QUARANTINE ACTIVITIES

Harry R. FultonMississippi State, Ms

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FEDERAL LAWS

1905 - The Insect Pest Act was passed toprohibit importation or interstatetransportation of plant pests.

1910 - The Federal Insecticide Act of 1910 was"an act for preventing the manufacture,sales, or transportation of adulterated ormisbranded Paris greens, lead arsenates,and other insecticides, and alsofungicides, and regulating traffictherein, and for other purposes."

1912 - The Plant Quarantine Act, (August 20,1912) delegates additional authority toUSDA to restrict and control the entryof plants and their products that mightharbor injurious pests. At that time, atleast half of the injurious insects in thiscountry were of foreign origin. Heavyinfestations of browntail and gypsymoths were the final incentive to passthis law. Some eighty-five quarantineswere promulgated during the first sixty(60) years of its existence. Eight or moredomestic quarantines are still in force. Since 1912 six amendments to the acthave been passed.

1915 - The Terminal Inspection Act (March 4,1915) allowed states to maintaininspection stations for plants and plantmaterials shipped through the postalservice, a new authority.

1917 - The Mexican Pink Bollworm Act(October 6, 1917), gave USDAauthority to conduct surveys in Mexico,establish cotton-free zones along theborder, and to cooperate with Mexico ineradicating infestations near the borderin Mexico.

1937 - The Incipient or Emergency Control ofPests Act (April 6, 1937) authorized

funds to control emergency outbreaks ofinsects and plant diseases. Amendmentswere passed in 1938 and 1954.

1942 - The Mexican Border Act (January 31,1942) was passed to prevent furtherspread of the pink bollworms fromMexico into the U.S. It allowedinspection and treatment of any vehicleor shipment of materials that might beinfested.

1944 - The Organic Act (September 21, 1944)It called for cooperation of USDA withfarmers and other groups, states, andprovinces, including Mexico, inundertaking programs to control anumber of insects and plant diseases. Ithas been amended routinely to includeadditional pests. The act gave USDAauthority to certify plants and plant products for export at no charge. It alsosuperceded the Mexican Pink BollwormAct.

1947 - The Federal Insecticide Fungicide andRodenticide Act (FIFRA) requiresregistration of all pesticides intended forinterstate commerce. USDA was givenauthority to review data to insureefficacy and safety, thus placing theresponsibility of proving a product safeand effective in the hands of the manufacturer before it could beregistered.

1948 - The Federal Food, Drug, and CosmeticAct (FFDCA) established tolerance forresidues in foods. Later in 1954 thePesticide Chemicals Amendmentamended FFDCA to standardize theprocedures used by FDA in settingtolerances. Another amendment in1958, Food Additive Amendment,prescribed regulations for the safe use offood additives and prohibited any

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residue of carcinogenic chemicals infoods, including pesticides.

1957 - The Federal Plant Pest Act (May 23,1957) strengthened the authority ofUSDA to regulate the movement ofplant pests into and/or through the U.S.by upgrading the definition of plantpests to include diseases, nematodes,and some other invertebrates deemed tobe destructive to plants. It gave USDAemployees authority under emergencysituations to seize, treat, or destroyarticles found violative where a new orunknown pest was found. Where theprevention of the spread of a pest wasinvolved, the least drastic action, such asallowing the affected articles to beexported or returned to points of origin,was required; however, destruction wasstill an alternative. The law allowedinspections of persons and vehicleswithout warrants but required warrantsto inspect premises.

1962 - The Cooperation with States Act(September 28, 1962) authorizes theSecretary of Agriculture to enter intocooperative agreements or arrangementswith state agencies during theadministration and enforcement offederal laws and regulations to theextent he deems appropriate in thepublic's interest. Until this point, allsuch agreements had some type ofrestrictions.

1970 - The Environmental Protection Agencywas created with authority to enforceand administer FIFRA as well asestablish tolerances. The OccupationalSafety and Health Act of 1970 dealswith toxic substances in relation to worksafety.

1971 - President Nixon first proposed a toxic

substances control program that wasfinally passed and signed by PresidentFord on October 12, 1976, as The ToxicSubstances Control Act (TSCA).

1972 - The Federal Environmental PesticideControl Act, with amendments in 1975(FIFRA) and 1978, placed the emphasisof pesticide control and regulation onthe protection of man and theenvironment. It called for regulatinginterstate use and distribution ofpesticides, including the requirementthat all pesticides be classified forgeneral or restricted use and that usersof restricted-use pesticides be certified.

MISSISSIPPI LAWS 1918 - The Mississippi Plant Act (March 27,

1918) authorized establishment of theState Plant Board to protect theagricultural and horticultural industriesof Mississippi from the introduction intoand spread of injurious insects and plantdiseases.

1920 - The Mississippi Bee Disease Act (April3, 1920) prevents introduction andspread of infectious diseases of honeybees into and throughout Mississippi. At that time, many beekeepers werebeing forced out of business, with 50%or more of their colonies contractingAmerican Foulbrood Disease.

1938 - A law governing the regulation ofprofessional services was passedbecause of concern over the number ofincompetent and fraudulent peopledoing pest control work. The lawrequired the licensing of pest control operators.

1950 - The Economic Poisons Act was passedbecause farmers believed that many ofthe insecticides being marketed were

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inferior. The law required registrationof insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides,and herbicides and authorized thecommissioner to take samples to beanalyzed by The State ChemicalLaboratory. The Law was amended in1972 to include nematocides, plantgrowth regulators, adjuvants, and insectattractants.

1956 - Legislature established the PlantQuarantine Stations against the pinkbollworm.

1966 - The Agricultural Aviation LicensingAct created the Agricultural AviationBoard and required that all aerialapplicators be licensed and that allaircraft used in agricultural spraying beregistered with the Board. In 1980 thelaw was amended to require each pilotto be licensed.

1968 - The State Plant Board membership waschanged to add the MississippiCooperative Extension Service Directorand Plant Pathology and Weed Sciencedepartment leader.

1971 - The State Plant Board was officiallyrenamed the Division of Plant Industry,Mississippi Department of Agricultureand Commerce. The advisory board forthe Division of Plant Industry wasestablished.

1975 - The Mississippi Pesticide Law and theMississippi Pesticide Application Actwere enacted to bring state laws intocompliance with FIFRA. The PesticideLaw was reworded to include languagesimilar to or identical to FIFRA. Theapplication act requires that allapplicators buying and using restricteduse products be trained by MCES andcertified by DPI.

1979 - The Mississippi Plant Act was amendedto add three members to the AdvisoryBoard. The current Board consists ofthe following: Commissioner ofMississippi Department of Agricultureand Commerce (Chairman); Head,Entomology Department, MississippiState University (MSU); Head, PlantPathology and Weed Science Dept.,MSU; Head, Agronomy Department,MSU; State Chemist, Head MississippiState Chemical Laboratory; and SoilConservation District Commissioner,appointed by The Commissioner.

1980 - The Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, wasnamed Mississippi's official state insect.

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