Newsletter Spring 2003 Entomology@@@ Purdue Food Pest Management How many times have you sat down to Another technology that the food pest eat your morning breakfast cereal and found management program has taken to the com- a bug doing the backstroke in your milk? mercialization phase is ozonation of grain. Rarely? Once? Never? Hopefully, the reason Ozone is a powerful oxidant that has numer- that this is a rare occurrence, is due in part to ous beneficial applications. Ozone has been the food pest management program. used as a water treatment to disinfect, elimi- What’s Inside The food pest management program is nate odors, taste, and color, and to remove one of many programs of study in the Urban pesticides, inorganic and organic com- Center. This program focuses on the biology pounds. Agricultural applications of ozone and management of pests attacking food post include the storage and preservation of veg- Food Pest Management harvest. This is a very broad field ranging etables and fruits, the surface decontamina- from management of insect pests attacking tion of perishable foods, and the disinfec- From the Head Bug: stored grain on the tion of manufacturing Endowed Chair in farm or commer- equipment, water and Urban Entomology cial grain elevators packaging materials. or food processors We wanted to ex- Department News and feed mills, re- amine ozone as a re- tail outlets includ- placement for methyl Development Update ing “superstores,” bromide fumigation and traditional of raw grain com- Outreach Update grocery stores, res- modities. Ozone is at- taurant and com- tractive because its Entomology Students mercial kitchens, breakdown product is and ultimately, oxygen, thus leaving Alumni News into the home and no undesirable resi- your cereal bowl. CONTROLLING FOOD PESTS: Linda Mason due. Ozone can be Calendar I work with uses a chill method to control flour beetles. generated on-site, some very com- eliminating the need mon pantry pests such as Indianmeal moth, to store or dispose of chemical containers. flour beetles, and cigarette beetles. They com- Numerous experiments indicated that monly infest dog food, bird seed, and most ozone was a very effective insecticide grain based products in your pantry, as well against most stored product pests. Our most as those flour based holiday ornaments and recent experiments indicated that treatment wall decorations. of grains with 50 ppm ozone for 30 days had My research program focuses on devel- no detrimental effect on popping volume of opment on non-traditional control strategies popcorn; fatty acid and amino acid compo- to manage stored grain pests. Usually this fo- sition of soybean, wheat; and maize; mill- cuses on changing the environment so it is ing characteristics of wheat and maize; bak- less favorable for insects. The first major em- ing characteristics of wheat; and stickiness phasis of the program was using cold air to of rice. The data indicated that if repeated manage pests. Insects are very susceptible to ozonations were needed, such treatment changes in their environment. Thus, reduc- should not decrease the quality of grain for ing grain temperatures to winter-like condi- end-users. This is important to food proces- tions during the summer has serious effects sors, millers, and feed manufacturers since on population development. We were able to the cleanliness of the final product they put significantly reduce pest problems in chilled forth to the retail market is dependent on the bins and do it at the cost of a traditional chemi- quality of raw ingredients. Ozonation will cal fumigation. allow them to start with pest free raw ingre- (Food Pest Management continued on page 2) Entomology@ Purdue (Food Pest Management continued from page 1) Insect pests are the principle focus of dients without a reduction in taste or qual- the multi-billion dollar urban pest control ity of the finished product. industry. Social insects are the most economi- Another service we provide to the food From the cally important pests of urban landscapes. industry is testing of package design. Many Ants are the single largest source of income food pests are very capable of penetrating Head Bug of most pest control businesses today, while packaging and infesting a finished pack- estimates of the damage caused by termites aged product. Our lab is set up to test new exceed $2 billion annually worldwide. The packaging designs for resistance to insects. Steve Yaninek recent introduction and spread of West Nile This would include testing package seal- Virus transmitted by mosquitoes is a major ing technologies, new types of packaging Endowed Chair in new public health concern sweeping across materials, and the design of the package. Urban Entomology the country. New approaches to managing The perfect package for insect resistance these pests in urban environments are would be a perfectly round ball with no The Department of Entomology has needed. A deeper understanding of the biol- edges for the insects to bite through. Un- initiated a campaign to raise $1.5 million ogy, ecology and evolution of these organ- fortunately, this is not practical for shipping to endow a chair in urban entomology. This isms is essential to develop strategies that go or storing in your cupboard. Thus, food is the number one development priority and beyond current technologies, and which manufacturers are constantly testing new a critical component of the Department’s maintain their utility in a changing regula- designs to deliver fresh tasting, pest-free strategic plan to move to the next level of tory environment. products to the consumer. excellence. This endowed chair would raise The Department of Entomology can im- In summary, food pest management not the stature of an already outstanding pro- mediately add prestige and world-renowned only focuses on pest biology and ways to gram in urban entomology, and signal a expertise to its urban program by endowing eliminate them, we also look at ways to pre- new commitment to excellence between the a chair in urban entomology. An individual vent them from ever becoming a pest in the University and the pest management and with the necessary modern research perspec- first place. So tonight when you bite into related industries. An endowed chair will tive and field experience will be ideally that biscuit at dinner, take time to thank the have an immediate and powerful impact. It suited to develop the tools needed to gain food pest management program at Purdue. will boost Purdue’s already strong reputa- the critical knowledge required to make sig- We are working everyday to keep your food tion in urban entomology and allow the De- nificant advances in the field. The Depart- pest free! partment to attract the brightest students ment will look for an individual whose in- - Linda Mason - and scholars. terests and program will be driven by funda- This endowment would create a dedi- mental aspects of the biology of social and 2002 Provost Recognition cated faculty program focused on urban in- other urban insects, and whose work will sect pests, particularly those of public have significant impact upon the manage- The following Entomology staff health concern. The program would pro- ment of these insects as pests. This person were recognized for years of service at vide industry access to cutting-edge tech- will also have the skills to work with a di- the 2002 Provost Recognition Program nology and its applications in urban pest verse clientele and other disciplines to on January 23rd: control. Other benefits include the synergy achieve the impact expected of a chaired pro- generated by a program with both basic and fessorship. In addition, this individual will Ronald L. Blackwell - 10 years applied research, and interactions with the benefit from and establish long-term signifi- Amanda S. Brandt - 15 years established urban program at Purdue. Per- cance by embracing the well-developed net- Timothy J. Gibb - 15 years haps most importantly, this provides a work of collaborators in industry and at other John L. Obermeyer - 15 years unique opportunity for industry to be a part- academic institutions. Jim W. Pheasant - 20 years ner in establishing a new cutting-edge fac- For more information about this cam- ulty program and develop a sense of own- paign contact Steve Yaninek at New Staff: ership in the process. [email protected]. Jodie Ellis joined the Department in - Steve Yaninek - June 2002 as Gypsy Moth Education Coor- dinator. She works directly with Cliff Sadof Department News on gypsy moth and invasive insect species Births: A son was born to Nagesh Rachael and Josh Hunnicutt welcomed concerns for the State of Indiana. Sardesai and Shubha Subramanyam. the birth of their daughter, Grace LeeAnn, Nichole Kubly, began her duties Janu- Tushar Sardesai was born on October 23, on March 2, 2003. Josh works as a Nema- ary 13th as Business Office Manager. The 2002. Nagesh and Shubha are both post- tology Lab Assistant for Virginia Ferris and Entomology Department will share Nikki docs with Christie Williams. Jamal Faghihi. with Biochemistry, CERIS and the Indiana Elizabeth Marie was born on Decem- Chad Craighill and wife Carrie are the State Chemist Office. ber 8, 2002 to Matt and Jody Pearson. parents of daughter, Carly, born January 20, Dan Harmeson has been working as Elizabeth has two sisters at home, 2003. Carly has a brother at home named a part-time lab technician for Linda Ma- Samantha and Olivia. Jody is an account Camdon. Chad is a Computer Specialist and son since January of 2000 and recently be- clerk in the Business Office. IT Manager. came full-time on December 9, 2002. 2 Departing Staff: 2003 Distinguished Cherise Hall has transferred her du- 2002 Ag Alumnus ties as Business Office Manager in En- Outstanding tomology, Biochemistry, and the State Service Award Chemist Office to work in the Business Office at Ag Administration as Business Manager-Ag Sponsored Research Pro- grams. Jenny Franklin Martha Hill, Outreach Coordinator, Jenny Franklin was named the 2002 began working as Director of Public Pro- Outstanding Service Award winner in En- grams at the Eiteljorg Museum in India- tomology. She is the graduate/undergradu- napolis in January. ate secretary for the Department and Bug Bowl Coordinator. Jenny has worked in the Albert Lund Mikio Yoshiyama, Postdoctoral Re- Department for five years but has worked search Associate USDA-ARS with Rich- at the University for 21 years. All of our Albert Lund (M.S. ‘74, Ph.D. ard Shukle, will be leaving the Entomol- students rely on Jenny to assist them with ‘78), was selected as recipient of the ogy Department on April 1, 2003, to do their course scheduling, records, and day- 2003 Distinguished Ag Alumni postdoctoral research for Cambridge Uni- to-day questions concerning their require- Award. The award recognition cer- versity in England. ments. Jenny also does a remarkable job at emony will be held on Friday, April Corey Gerber, (B.S. ‘93, Ph.D. coordinating Bug Bowl each year. 25, 2003, 9:30 a.m., Fowler, Stewart ‘03), Extension and Research Associate Center, Purdue University. with Rich Edwards, will be joining the Yan Ong, a high school student at West Dr. Lund began a career with Department of Agronomy at Purdue as Lafayette High School won the gold medal DuPont in 1980 and currently works Interim Director of the Diagnostic Train- in zoology at the Lafayette Regional Sci- as Manager, Research and Develop- ing Center. Corey will work part-time ence Fair in March 2003 for his project ment Asia-Pacific for DuPont. In this February-March, and full-time until the titled “Antibacterial Responses of Manduca role, he has the responsibility for all end of October. Sexta Larvae Fed With Nonpathogenic R&D activities, people, facilities and Bacteria.” Yan has been supervised by Pe- resources for the Asia Pacific Region ter Dunn since September of 2002 on this including organizations in 13 coun- project. tries stretching from Pakistan and In- 2003 Ruth Hegarty, a junior at Jefferson dia in the west to Japan and New Fulbright High School in Lafayette, IN, and daugh- Zealand in the east. Al is married to Research ter of Joseph Hegarty, Project Manager, Dottie Lund (M.S. ‘75). Congratu- lations, Al! Scholar EXCERPT/CERIS, in the Entomology De- partment, has been working with Linda Rich Edwards Mason for the past two years on science fair projects. Ruth received a silver medal Richard Edwards was selected in zoology, and an honorable mention in as Fulbright Research Scholar for the special awards category at the Lafayette 2003. He will be going to the Univer- Regional Science Fair in March 2003. The sity of Zabreb in Croatia for nine title of Ruth’s project was “Influence of months beginning late February 2003. Sanitation Level on the Efficacy of The flagship international educa- Tribolium Pheromone Traps.” Last year, tion program sponsored by the United she won a bronze medal. 2002 States Government, the Fulbright Pro- PUCESA gram is designed to “increase mutual Award understanding between the people of 2003 John V. Osmun Award the United States and the people of The 2003 John V. Osmun Alumni other countries.” It offers the oppor- Cliff Sadof tunity to study and teach in each Professional Achievement Award in En- Cliff Sadof received the Purdue Uni- other’s countries, exchange ideas, and tomology solicitation will use an elec- versity Cooperative Extension Specialist develop joint solutions to address tronic nomination form instead of the Association (PUCESA) Senior Award in shared concerns. The Fulbright Pro- usual printed form sent in the fall news- September 2002 for being a state and na- gram was established in 1946 under letter. To access the nomination form; go tional leader in the development of pest legislation introduced by former Sena- to the Entomology website at: management systems for the ornamental tor J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.
Casey Butler has been named one of fifty-three School of Agriculture seniors se- lected to receive an Elsie L. Gruel Scholar- ship for 2002 and 2003. Casey is from Walkerton, IN and has an expected gradua- tions date of 2003. Selection of this award is based on outstanding academic achievement QUIZ BOWL CONTESTANTS: (l-r) Tim as a junior, including at least a 3.50 grade Student line drawing by: Gibb, Chris Oseto, Al York, Gary Bennett, point average. Casey Butler Tom Turpin, Steve Yaninek. 5 Entomology@ Purdue
research focuses on systematics of mayfly Alumni News family Caenidae, which could be separated into several projects. First, I analyze generic Meet level phylogeny of the family, and describe Lu Sun new genera and new species from tropical Africa, Australian and Oriental regions, and make necessary adjustments to the higher Lu Sun classification. Second, I compile a worldwide species catalog for the family. Third, I cre- I am from Beijing, China. I have been ate a phylogenic revision of subfamily a fan of insects since childhood. After I Brachycercinae. There have been lots of in- graduated from high school, I joined the teresting discoveries in my research on mor- Bobby Corrigan Department of Entomology at China Ag- phology and systematics and I am incorpo- ricultural University, the best entomology rating them in my thesis. Meanwhile, I am department in China, to realize my dream working on molecular systematics under the PCT Magazine has named Robert of being an entomologist. instruction of Virginia Ferris. I am perform- M. Corrigan (B.S. ‘77, MS ‘80, Ph.D. I received my bachelor’s degree in ing research on molecular systematics of ‘95), the founder and president of RMC 1996. My research was on the butterfly mayfly suborders Setisura and Pisciforma Pest Management Consulting in Rich- fauna from Qinling Mountain, a gorgeous using 18s rDNA. I am very curious to see mond, Indiana, its 2002 Professional of mountain where giant panda, monkeys, the phylogenetic relationships generated the Year. For 15 years, prior to founding and deer dwell. Since I also had a great from molecular information and the influ- his own consulting company, Bobby was deal of interest in wild animals, in my spare ence it will have on morphological system- a teacher and researcher in urban and in- time, I took part in the Giant Panda study atics. Also, I am working on sequencing 18s dustrial pest management at the Depart- carried out by Peking University research rDNA from some interesting marine nema- ment of Entomology at Purdue...John team, and helped monitor wild Giant Panda todes, which will probably give light to the Hamm (M.S. ‘63, Ph.D. ‘72), retired in in the field. It is during these field trips phylogeny of certain nematode orders. May of 2000 after 37 years with the and following study when I figured out that I plan to have my thesis done by this USDA-ARS in the area of insect pathol- systematic entomology is really where my coming summer. After I obtain my Ph.D. de- ogy. His wife, Judie, retired a few years main interest and enthusiasm are. Thus, I gree, I will apply for a post-doctoral posi- earlier after 14 years with the Univer- applied for graduate study under Dr. tion in the United States. Eventually, I would sity of Georgia, Department of Plant Pa- Wanzhi Cai, a knowledgeable Heteroptera like to get a faculty position in a university, thology. They have decided to remain systematist in the same university, and or other research institute since I want to keep in Tifton because they have a daughter joined the Laboratory of Systematic and working on systematic entomology. I always and two grandchildren there. Their other Evolutionary Entomology. My project was wanted to work on systematics of mayflies daughter and two younger grandchildren systematics of family Berytidae from China and South Asian and other tropi- live in South Carolina. John volunteers (Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea) from China cal countries because people still have such with the Literacy Volunteers of America, based on morphological characteristics. At little knowledge of mayflies in these regions. tutoring Hispanics in English and tutor- the same time, I began learning about mo- I have many hobbies in my spare time ing math and science to people working lecular systematics. I performed RAPD which include traveling, reading, and pho- on their GED’s...Kevin Steffey (B.S. study using MtDNA to clarify the phylo- tography. I like running and volleyball a lot, ‘72), M.S. from the University of Mis- genetic relationships in a species group, but I also enjoy computer games. However, souri in 1975 and Ph.D. from Iowa State Ectomocoris atrox complex (Hemiptera: I think that the one thing I like most is field University in 1979 (all degrees in ento- Reduviidae). Of course, in the warm sea- trips. I still remember how much fun I had mology), landed the position of Exten- sons, I went outdoors collecting specimens. in 2000 when all members of our lab went to sion Specialist in Entomology at the Uni- I participated in several surveys on insect Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and versity of Illinois in April 1979. Cur- biodiversity in subtropical areas of China, Montana together for a wonderful collect- rently, he is a professor and extension including Henan Province and Yunnan ing trip. specialist in entomology in the Depart- Province. ment of Crop Sciences at the University I received my masters degree in 1999. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The fo- I planned to continue my career in system- - Lu Sun - cus of his educational and applied re- atic entomology in the U.S. since the re- search programs is management of in- search on theory and application of sys- sect pests of field crops, primarily corn, tematics appeal to me so much. Later that soybeans, and alfalfa. He has been ac- same year, I applied for graduate study for tive in ESA and is currently vice presi- my Ph.D. degree at Purdue University, and dent. He will become president at the was accepted by Pat McCafferty in his annual meeting in Cincinnati, in Novem- aquatic entomology research program. My ber 2004...Milan Busching (M.S. ‘75), is in charge of the Insect World Exhibit 6 Entomology@ Purdue at the 25th Anniversary in August 2003 at the Cincinnati Zoo. The Zoo has been re- From Insects to Investments modeling and is sure to surprise you when you visit...Vinnedge “Vin” Lawrence (Ph.D. ‘68), retired from the Biology De- partment at Washington and Jefferson Col- lege last June. He is now living in Maine...Ron Bitner (M.S. ‘70), received the Owen J. Newlin Business Excellence Award from Pioneer Hi-Bred International for collaborative work with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Australian Quarantine and Charles Allmon Inspection Service (AQIS) and Common- Charles Allmon (B.S. ‘41) has wealth Scientific & Industrial Research come a long way since his undergrad Organization (CSIRO) Black Mountain fa- days at Purdue. He is president of cilities in Canberra on the introductions of Growth Stock Outlook which he the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee into Australia. founded in 1965. He has managed dis- For the past 8 years, he helped develop the cretionary accounts since 1970 for cli- protocol (part of which was based on his ents in the U.S. and foreign countries. 1970 M.S. thesis) to safely introduce this Growth Stock Outlook, Inc. offers pri- highly efficient pollinator into Australia vate money management for individu- from Canada. Eight hundred thousand adult als, retirement plans, foundations, cor- bees were released at two sites in South Aus- porations, and trusts. tralia and one in New South Wales. The ob- QUARANTINE INSPECTION: Introduced Formerly one of the top editors of jective of the project is to develop a pollinators (top photo) are inspected National Geographic, he lived abroad (bottom photo) for unwanted parasites leafcutting bee industry there to help allevi- for seven years and traveled in more than and diseases. ate anticipated pollination problems with the 60 countries on five continents. Many honeybee industry. This program has been people owe their understanding of other influenced by his work with Indiana bees countries and cultures to the work of under his mentor Leland Chandler (M.S. Charles Allmon. He truly has helped to ‘70). More information on the company can make the world a smaller place. be found at
From the editor We want to hear from you! With each issue of Entomology @ March Purdue we keep you up-to-date on 17-21 Spring Break what’s happening in the Depart- ment of Entomology and with 23-26 NCB/ESA Annual Meeting, Madison, WI alumni. Won’t you please take a moment to help keep us up-to-date April with you? 1 Osmun Award Nomination Due Cheryl Spencer 4 Day In The Department Editor, Entomology @ Purdue 12-13 Bug Bowl Department of Entomology Purdue University 23-24 Entomology Development Council-Greenfield, Smith Hall IN 25 Distinguished Ag Alumni Events 901 W. State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089 www.entm.purdue.edu May e-mail: [email protected] 10 End of Semester Phone: 765-494-4553 Fax: 765-494-0535 17-18 Spring Commencement 26 Memorial Day Please include your name, address, degree, major, and year of gradu- ation. Photographs, if submitted, will be returned. Calendar It is the policy of the Purdue University School of Agriculture that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or 8disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.