Sitemap

Corey Gerber was an undergraduate student when I first met him. He was one of those exceptional entomologists who was certain of his future career nearly from the time he was able to walk. Corey loved entomology and it showed.

I hired him as a student worker in my laboratory and then, when he neared his graduation date, I offered him an assistantship as assistant diagnostician, while he completed a masters degree. If ever there was a natural entomologist it would be Corey. His excitement was contagious. He was a hard worker and completed a good research project studying the life history and phenology of the masked chafer. If you ever needed to get Corey's attention all you have to say is, "I know where you can find a species of insect that you don't have in your collection". I guarantee you would have his undivided attention. Corey went with me down to collect in Equador and we had an unbelievably grand time.

Probably the defining moment in an entomologists life is when he discovers a new species of insect. While at Kansas State University I ran across a new species of bruchid seed beetle that feeds in the seeds of velvetleaf weeds.

After going to Indiana, I was able to help name and describe the beetle (Bruchidae: Althaeus folkertsi).

Later I was actually able to secure a grant to study the effect of the beetles feeding on its host plant, the velvetleaf weed. I took on a second masters student, Hal Meyers to help with this project. We learned some interesting things about this beetle and as a result, it will always be my very favorite insect.

Mike Stanyard was a student just finishing up his BS degree at Valparaiso University when he first came to visit Purdue University. He had a strong interest in entomology, although at times I wondered whether it was as strong as his interests in his fraternity group. I saw in Mike the makings of an extremely well organized and, young entomologist (all the things that I was not). I figured that with a little experience and some fresh polish, Mike would also become a top-notch entomologist. I was proven right again. We brought Mike on board and he completed a very valuable masters degree research project looking at the protection of predatory mites on apple trees. During this time I also saw a lot of development in Mikes personal life. He changed from a young punk kid to a responsible adult with a wife, a family, a home and even a lawn mower during his sojourn at Purdue University.

Working outside on freshly mowed and irrigated turfgrass is like working in heaven (at least when compared with my experiences in hot, sticky, dirty, scratchy field corn). A very strong group of Turfgrass scientists in Agronomy, welcomed me in as part of their group and I must say that this interaction has been a real highlight in my career. Working with enthusiastic, excited young scientists builds a synergy that goes well beyond expectations. Together we have grown and are doing some really good work for the turfgrass industry.

Along with turfgrass research, I decided to write a correspondence course in Turfgrass Pest Management for those who would like to learn the subject but who cannot come to the University. This was a compilation of a lot of work, but it came together very nicely.

previous | continue