Purdue University
Entomology Department
Search the Department of Entomology
Links

Entomology News 2003

Honey Bee Defense Behavior Genetics

Genomic Analysis in the sting-2 Quantitative Trait Locus for Defensive Behavior in the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera [Full Story]


Aphids whittling soybean farmers' profits

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP) -- This season's soybean aphid infestation cost Minnesota farmers about $80 million and damaged nearly 4 million acres of crops, according to preliminary estimates by the University of Minnesota. [Full Story]


Outstanding Service Award Recipient - Bill Kielhorn

The purpose of the Outstanding Service Award is to perpetuate the standards of excellence exemplified by Purdue's Entomology Department. The Award is designed to honor performance, contributions, accomplishments and recognize continued outstanding service. A luncheon was held on November 17th. [View Photos]


Tippecanoe County Board of Health Appreciation Award

John MacDonald was awarded an Appreciation Award on behalf of the Tippecanoe County Board of Health for his outstanding volunteer services in the development of an integrated mosquito control program, thereby helping reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease to the citizens of Tippecanoe County on November 10, 2003. [Full Story]


Here's another reason to become an entomologist

Jan Mills, BS '80 in entomology from Iowa State University, was elected mayor of West Lafayette, Indiana yesterday. West Lafayette is the home of Purdue University. The mayor-elect says she looks forward to working closely with Purdue. We hope this includes the Department of Entomology where we look forward to working with the mayor-elect as we pursue our ambitious science education and outreach agenda.


Purdue Entomology Mixer held at Cincinnati, OH -

The Department of Entomology held a Purdue Mixer at the National Entomological Society of America (ESA) meeting on Oct. 26-29, 2003. [View photos]


Scientists unraveling lice genome to halt blood-sucking pest

Research aimed at understanding how lice feed off humans may lead to new methods to control the blood-sucking pest that can transmit fatal diseases.

In the November issue of the journal Insect Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Purdue and Harvard university researchers report finding lice genes that control the breakdown of their human blood meal into energy and waste. They also identified the first gene in lice that may impact the insects' ability to fight off bacterial infections. The study is currently on the journal's Web site. [Full Story]


Genes for jobs

Multiple genes are expressed at different levels in worker and soldier termites

Lower termites of the genus Reticulitermes are social insects that show a dramatic polyphenism (the occurrence of multiple forms in a species on the basis of differential gene expression). This polyphenism is marked both in association with caste differentiation and between castes following differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie termite differentiation and development have been poorly understood. In the September 26 Genome Biology—published by BioMed Central, a sister company of The Scientist—Michael E. Scharf and colleagues at Purdue University show differential expression of 25 genes involved in regulatory, structural, and enzymatic processes involved in determining termite castes and their developmental precursor stages (Genome Biology, 4:R62, September 26, 2003). [Full Story]


Alumni Newsletter

The fall 2003 Entomology @ Purdue newsletter was mailed in October 2003 and is also available online in PDF format. To view the newsletter Acrobat Reader is required.

The newsletter if full of interesting information and will keep you informed about the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Department of Entomology at Purdue University.


Department Fall Picnic

Welcome back to all the student picnic was held Sept. 11, 2003. [View photos]