Economic Entomology

Milestones in Entomology

J. J. Davis.

There were men and women in America interested in insects 200 or more years ago. They thought mainly of collecting and identifying insects, for there were few species of economic importance in the beginning of America. The apparent absence of destructive insects in the early days may be attributed to the lack of extensively and intensively grown crops, the absence of introduced insects, and failure to recognize losses.

Problems began to appear towards the end of the eighteenth century. One of the first scientific economic papers by William D. Peck (1763-1822) was "The Description and History of the Cankerworm" in 1795. Peck was referred to as America's first native entomologist, concerned primarily with the economic aspects of insects. In this connection it is interesting to note the titles given by later entomologists to men largely responsible for promoting early entomology: F. V. Melsheimer (1749-1814), "Founder of American Entomology"; John Abbot 1750-1840), "First Great Entomological Artist"; Thomas Say (1787-1834), "Father of American Entomology"; Thaddeus W. Harris (1795-1856), "Pioneer Economic Entomologist"; and Asa Fitch (1809-79), "First Official Entomologist."

Early in the nineteenth century, with the appearance of insects as crop destroyers, agricultural and horticultural societies showed their interest in the control of pests by offering awards for outstanding essays and contributions on specific insects.

Preceded only by Peck as a writer on economic entomology was Thaddeus W. Harris, who in 1841 published his epoch-making Report on the Insects of Massachusetts Injurious to Vegetation.

Individual States began to recognize the significance of insects as problems of agriculture and we find the official position of State entomologist established in New York (Asa Fitch 1854), Illinois (B. W. Walsh 1866), and Missouri (C. V. Riley 1868). The reports of the three States represent outstanding and basic contributions to American entomology and the foundation of the science of economic entomology. Other States and the Federal agencies had contributed much up to 1888 with the establishment of the agricultural experiment stations, under Federal aid.

THE FIRST STATE AGRICULTURAL experiment station was established in Connecticut in 1875. Several others were founded before 1888. Some entomological work was conducted there, but the real impetus to economic entomology in the States was the Hatch Act of 1887, which resulted in the organization of the State experiment stations throughout the nation.

With the organization of the additional stations in 1888, the demand for trained entomologists far exceeded the supply, and many men were appointed who for one reason or another seemed qualified for the work. The appointments resulted in the development of many who became prominent as economic entomologists. Among those who were appointed as station entomologists in the first few years of the establishment of the State agricultural experiment stations and who became prominent in the science of entomology were : J. M. Aldrich (South Dakota 1889), W. B. Alwood (Virginia 1888), C. F. Baker (Colorado 1890), Lawrence Bruner (Nebraska 1888), T. D. A. Cockerell (New Mexico 1893) , J. H. Comstock (Cornell 1888), A. J. Cook ( Michigan 1888) , C. H. Fernald ( Massachusetts 1888) , S. A. Forbes (Illinois 1888) , C. P. Gillette (Iowa 1888), H. A. Gossard (Iowa 1890), F. S. Harvey (Maine 1888), A. D. Hopkins (West Virginia 1888), G. D. Hulst (New Jersey 1888), Otto Lugger (Minnesota 1888) , C. L. Marlatt (Kansas 1887), H. A. Morgan (Louisiana 1889) , E. A. Popenoe (Kansas 1880), W. J. Sirrine (New York 1894), H. E. Summers (Tennessee 1888) , C. H. T. Townsend (New Mexico 1891), J. Troop (Indiana 1888), F. M. Webster (Ohio 1891), C. M. Weed ( Ohio 1888) , and C. W. Woodworth (Arkansas 1888).

Since the enactment of the Hatch Act of 1887, State-appropriated funds for agricultural research have been augmented by Federal funds on several occasions; the Adams Act, 1906; Purnell Act, 1925; Bankhead-Jones Act, 1935; and Research and Marketing Act, 1946.

Although working independently, the station entomologists have worked closely with the entomologists of the Federal Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, first, in connection with cooperative projects and second, through the regional field laboratories in most States, which are operated by the Bureau. Thus in discussing the work and accomplishments of the State experiment stations or the Federal Bureau it is quite impossible to separate their achievements. Each is dependent on the other and as a result the accomplishments have been many fold. To be sure, the individual States have concentrated on local and regional problems, while Federal agencies have stressed problems of more widespread interest and those that may require years for their solution.

ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY as a science is young, perhaps only 80 years old.

In the beginning emphasis was given to a study of the life history and habits of insects. It was early recognized that insect controls, whether biological control, legal control, farm practices, mechanical devices, or chemicals, were based on our knowledge of the life history, habits, and structure of the specific insect.

The early entomologists were self-made. They were perhaps first interested in zoology in its broadest sense, or in horticulture, botany, or other cultural or practical sciences, and took up entomological studies because of the relation of entomology to their vocation or avocation.

Early in the nineteenth century a few more or less organized entomology courses were provided in a few institutions. Fitch gave courses at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Peck and Harris conducted some classes at Harvard. However, the first organized courses were in agricultural colleges, beginning with the founding of the State agricultural colleges, known as land-grant colleges, under the Morrill Act in the late 1860's.