University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Hexapod Herald & Other Entomology Department Entomology, Department of Newsletters 1992 Department of Entomology Newsletter, University of Nebraska, No. 6 -- 1992 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/hexapodherald Part of the Entomology Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons "Department of Entomology Newsletter, University of Nebraska, No. 6 -- 1992" (1992). Hexapod Herald & Other Entomology Department Newsletters. 52. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/hexapodherald/52 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Entomology, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Hexapod Herald & Other Entomology Department Newsletters by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Department of Entomology University of Nebraska No.6 1992 Dear Alumni: The 1990's and new opportunities to the Entomology Department at the . It was a cold day in Lincoln, January 3, 1990 when I to serve as the new Department Head. However, the faculty, staff and students a very warm welcome. The past two years have been a learning experience us. We have all grown in many ways. We have had growth beyond my expectations and! could not be more pleased. While times are economically , programs and productivity are increasing. All have pulled together to an excellent working team that is quickly becoming the envy of many departments in Midwest. We have increased new revised courses, and new direction for teaching, research Grants and contracts are at an all time high. I believe we more graduate students than at any time in· recent history. We have plans new and are planning innovative approaches to address new and The Department is , animal protection, integrated pest management, the and urban pest management. We have reaffirmed our commitment to in extension, teaching, and research, both basic and applied. The demand expertise that our Department provides is in even greater demand. I receive more requests for our graduates and undergraduates than our program can fill. We invite you to us a call or us professional meetings. John Foster Professor and Head Department of Entomology This Sixth Newsletter of the Department of Entomology University of Nebraska is Sincerely Dedicated to the memories of: Robert E. Roselle and Jerold H. L. 8ell IN MEMORIAM Robert E. Roselle August 17, 1917 - February 5, 1991 Bob retired in 1983. Although he had a serious stroke very shortly after his retirement, his recovery appeared to be complete and he was living a life of quiet contentment. Thus, his sudden death was an unexpected and very sad shock to all who knew him. For over 30 years, Bob had served the University and the people of Nebraska as Extension Entomologist in the Department of Entomology. Among his many achievements and legacies is one of the strongest Extension Entomology programs in the country. Bob's outstanding work was recognized in many ways. For example, he was a recipient of the NCEA Outstanding Specialist Award and the USDA Superior Service Award. Bob was especially well recognized by the citizens of Nebraska because of his many years of regular appearances on the TV show "Backyard Farmer". Bob is survived by his wife Peggy and their three sons. IN MEMORIAM Jerold H.l. Bell October 26, 1920 - July 18, 1991 Jerry retired in 1980. Several years ago he began a very courageous battle with cancer. Jerry fought this final battle with the same tenacity and quiet faith that he had used throughout his life. Before his retirement Jerry was employed by USDA-APHIS as a grasshopper control specialist with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Entomology. In that capacity Jerry gave many years of faithful service to the farmers and ranchers of Nebraska. Jerry continued to attend and participate in departmental seminars for as long as it was possible for him to do so. We remember him for his diligent and cooperative spirit. Jerry is survived by his wife Lorraine and their three sons. ii ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT EXTENSION NEWS Fred Baxendale The last three years have been a period of transition for Extension Entomology. February 5, 1991 saw the death of our long-time friend and colleague Bob Roselle. For more than 30 years, Bob served the Department, University and people of Nebraska as an Extension Entomologist. When he retired in 1983, his accomplishments included one of the strongest and best respected extension entomology programs in the nation. Bob will be missed, but his work will continue as we strive to uphold his example of innovation and outstanding leadership in extension programming. As of this writing, the Lincoln extension staff consists of Specialists Drs. Fred Baxendale, Steve Danielson, Dave Keith and Ackland Jones. Dave Keith recently rejoined our staff after spending four years in Morocco heading up the MIAC Dryland Agriculture Applied Research Project. Pat Mattran replaced Kitti McKee as Extension Secretary and Jim Kalisch continues to provide outstanding service as our Extension Technologist. In addition, Dr. Shripat Kamble provides invaluable expertise in the area of urban pest management. Mr. Art Hagen retired from the University in 1990 after 33 years of service. Art's more recent extension accomplishments included coordination of the statewide insect, plant disease and noxious weed survey program. Dr. Leroy Peters also announced his retirement effective in June 1991. Leroy was responsible for Extension Entomology programming at the South Central Research and Extension Center for over 19 years. Both of these outstanding individuals will be greatly missed by colleagues and clients alike. We wish Art and Marlene and Leroy and Bobbie well in their retirements. Dr. Bob Wright will transfer to the South Central Research and Extension Center in January 1992 where he will fill the vacancy left by Leroy's retirement. Bob's research and extension activities will focus on insect pest management of field crops. He will also continue his duties as statewide coordinator of the Field Crops IPM program. Our remaining extension entomology staff consists of Dr. Jack Campbell and Ron Seymour at the West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte, Dr. John Witkowski and Keith Jarvi at the Northeast Research and Extension Center near Concord, and Dr. Gary Hein at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. 1 Activities of the Department (Cont'd) TEACHING NEWS J. Ackland Jones Three new faculty have assumed duties since the last newsletter. Dr. David W. Stanley-Samuelson (PhD California-Berkeley) joined us in the spring of 1989, filling the vacancy in insect physiology created by Dr. Harold Ball's retirement. Dr. Leon G. Higley (PhD Iowa State) replaced Dr. Tom Holtzer in insect ecology in the Fall of 1989. Leon will also teach an introductory course for non-science majors. Dr. Blair D. Siegfried (PhD Penn State) assumed a new position in toxicology in 1990. He will offer a graduate course in insect toxicology and a more general course for undergraduates on toxins in the environment. Medical-veterinary entomology was taught last semester by Dr. Wayne L. Kramer (PhD California-Riverside), the medical entomologist with the Nebraska Department of Health and an adjunct member of the faculty. Beginning Spring 1992, Dr. Z B Mayo will teach the course in insect pest management by host plant resistance formerly taught by Dr. George Manglitz. The beekeeping course is being taught by Marion D. Ellis, apiarist with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and PhD student in the Department. A course on professional development was offered to graduate students the spring semester of 1991 by Drs. David W. Stanley­ Samuelson and Leon G. Higley. The recent reorganization of the College of Agriculture into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has created an opportunity for some curriculum changes. We are in the process of developing an undergraduate entomology major to be offered through the division of Natural Resources. A revised version of the current crop protection major will be maintained in Agricultural Sciences. RESEARCH NEWS Z B Mayo It has only been three years since our last newsletter, but there has been considerable change and growth in our research program during this short time period. Since the 1988 newsletter, Dr. Roger E. Gold left the University of Nebraska to become Director of the Urban and Industrial Entomology Center at Texas A&M University. This was a big loss to our Department and the University of Nebraska, but it provided a unique and challenging opportunity to Roger. We all wish him well in that position. The other changes in our research program are all on the positive side. Dr. John E. Foster joined our Department in January 1990 as our new Department Head and is in the process of developing a plant resistance to insects research program. 2 Activities of the Department (Cont'd) Dr. Foster is internationally recognized for his expertise in plant resistance and is a valuable addition to our research program and department. We have three new research/teaching positions, two new courtesy appointments, and the USDA Midwest Livestock Research Laboratory has three new positions. In the last newsletter, I mentioned that we had just hired Dr. David W. Stanley-Samuelson to be our new insect physiologist/biochemist, but at that time he had not arrived on campus. David started in April of 1989 and has developed a nationally and internationally recognized research program studying the biological significance of lipid mediators. He has just been selected by the Agriculture Research Division as the co-winner of the Junior Faculty for Excellence in Research Award. Dr. Leon G. Higley joined our faculty as a research/teaching insect ecologist in September 1989 and almost immediately became project leader for a multi-state soybean insect stress, plant interaction research grant.