Federal Entomology Agriculture
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United States Department of Federal Entomology Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Beginnings and Organizational Agriculture Entities in the United States Information Bulletin Number 802 Department of Agriculture, July 2008 1854–2006, With Selected Research Highlights i ii United States Department of Agriculture Federal Entomology Agricultural Research Service Beginnings and Organizational Agriculture Information Entities in the United States Bulletin Number 802 Department of Agriculture, July 2008 1854–2006, With Selected Research Highlights T.J. Henneberry Henneberry was Center Director, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Maricopa, AZ i Abstract ARS Mission Henneberry, T.J. 2008. Federal Entomology: The Agricultural Research Service conducts research to Beginnings and Organizational Entities in the United develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems States Department of Agriculture, 1854–2006, With of high national priority and provides information Selected Research Highlights. U.S. Department access and dissemination to: of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, • ensure high quality, safe food and other agricultural Washington, DC. Agricultural Information Bulletin products, 802, 87 pp. • assess the nutritional needs of Americans sustain a competitive agricultural economy, Entomology has played an important role in the • enhance the natural resource base and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 1862 environment, and and prior to that in the Agricultural Division of the • provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, U.S. Patent Office beginning in 1854. The science communities, and society as a whole. has had organizational status at various levels in the USDA hierarchy. Since its inception it has grown in While supplies last, single copies of this publication stature and numbers in research, regulatory, and pest can be obtained at no cost from Thomas Henneberry, management functions in USDA and has been extended USDA-ARS-ALARC, 21881 North Cardon Lane, into other branches of government. The first Federal Maricopa, AZ 85239. entomologist received his appointment in 1854 as an expert in assembling statistics and other information Copies of this publication may be purchased in various on seeds, fruits, and insects in the United States. This formats (microfiche, photocopy, CD, print on demand) text presents some of the history of the growth, impact, from the National Technical Information Service, broadening of responsibility, and implementation of 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (800) entomology in U.S. organizations and its expansion 553-6847, www.ntis.gov. into research, education, extension, and regulatory functions. KEYWORDS: Agricultural Research Service, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits Agricultural Research Administration, Bureau, discrimination in all its programs and activities on the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and Entomology. where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic Mention of trade names, commercial products, information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because or companies in this publication is solely for the all or part of an individual’s income is derived from purpose of providing specific information and does any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited not imply recommendation or endorsement by the bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities U.S. Department of Agriculture over others not who require alternative means for communication of recommended. program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. July 2008 ii Acknowledgments The author appreciates the reviews of the following individuals during various stages in the development of this manuscript: W. Klassen, University of Florida, Homestead, Florida; P. Schwartz, USDA-ARS, EQL, Beltsville, MD; E. Harris, USDA-ARS, Honolulu, HI; J. Klun, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD; and retired USDA employees H. Shimanuki, R. Faust, D. Hardee, G. Jackson, A. Cohen, W.L. Tedders Jr., A.F. Howland, L.B. Reed, W.J. Reid, Jr., R.L. Wallis, C. Doucette, W. Shands, F.F. Smith, W.N. Sullivan, O.H. Hills, H.H. Toba, R. Brubaker, C. Ignoffo, M. Gilliam, R. Radcliffe, J. Coulson, P. Vail, and H. Moffitt. Their constructive comments, suggestions and contributions are important parts of the text in its present form. The author also thanks J.E. Throne and R.T. Arbogast, USDA-ARS, Grain Marketing and Production Research Center, Biological Research Unit, Manhattan, KS, for their personal communications regarding stored products insect research; M.M. Furniss, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, for information on the history of forest entomology research; and Dial Martin, USDA-ARS retired, for information on cotton insect research. The author also appreciates the suggestions and editorial expertise of Gerald Smith, editor, USDA-ARS. iii Preface all cases have made the effort to identify the original sources if they are known. The more than 150-year existence of Federal entomology is paved with accomplishment and outstanding scientific Many other events and organizational and personnel leadership. changes have certainly occurred during the more than 150 years of entomology in the Federal government Entomology in the Federal establishment began before than are recorded in this manuscript. But without the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was permanent record or recall from the memories of former formed. From a single entomologist hired in 1854 in and present employees or others they may not appear the Agricultural Division of the United States Patent here. Unfortunately, for these and other reasons, many Office, and later in 1863 in the newly established USDA, of the details, personalities, heroes, stories and myths Federal entomological research grew to be represented that readers remember or have heard about may have by more than 500 scientists at numerous research been lost for lack of documentation. This is not a laboratories and work sites in the United States and in unique lament. Osborn’s introduction to Fragments of some foreign countries. At present there are about 400 Entomological History (1937) refers to the scarcity of Federal entomologists in USDA’s Agricultural Research records documenting the beginnings of entomology in Service (ARS). In addition to the research community, America. As with other phases of history, much that quarantine, regulatory, and Federal-State extension would be interesting now was not thought at the time and cooperative entomology activities provide vital to have historic value or lacked an interested party to services to agriculture and to the Nation as a whole. record the events. Errors and omissions as a result of Other Federal organizations such as the Forest Service, these occurrences or for other reasons are accepted in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and military this writing as the sole responsibility of the author. establishments also have entomology programs. This entire cadre of Federal entomology expertise started Any opinions, expressed or implied, are those of the with the single employee mentioned earlier. author and do not reflect the view of the USDA or any of its components. Major emphasis in this publication is placed on the transition of entomological research and other entomology Where applicable and possible, dates reported here for programs in Federal government organizations occurrences other than publications are those cited as dates beginning with the first Patent Office entomologist to the of Presidential document signing, Congressional action, present multidisciplinary structure of ARS. Regulatory, USDA Administrator’s or Secretary’s announcements, quarantine, cooperative Federal/State/extramural, and or published effective dates of the described events. other programs that have branched off from the original Calendar dates, when known, were recorded as opposed entomological organization or developed independently to fiscal year dates. are discussed within the limits of access to available information. New and improved crop and animal arthropod pest protection technology has contributed to the ability of the nation’s agricultural system to provide food, fiber, and animal and human health protection for the needs of continuing human population growth. A chronological record of the development, progress, and some accomplishments of the entomological organizations within USDA are presented in this document. Some of the early USDA organizational actions and program responsibility changes that affected entomological activity are included here for continuity. Most of the events reported herein have been gleaned from publications and the author’s personal knowledge and correspondence with existing and former USDA employees. I have taken information liberally from published materials, but in iv Contents Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................................viii Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................