Department of Entomology Faculty:

The faculty of the Department of Entomology has been extremely successful in obtaining extramural funding for research. There has been a steady growth in external funding over the last 10-15 years. The average yearly grant funding for the department from 1987-1989 was $585,000 compared to $960,000 per year from 1995 – 2000. The average extramural funding per scientific year was $36,400 for the period of 1987-1989 and was $77,400 per SY from 1995 – 2000.

** based upon 1999 SYS for all departments.

When compared to other academic departments, Entomology was second in yearly average of total funds and fourth in funds per SY from 1995 – 2000.

Publications:

The summary of publications is based upon records of manuscripts routed for assignment of an LAES publication number. All faculty members do not have LAES appointments. Thus the number of publications per year for the Department of Entomology is higher that shown below. However, the number of publications per SY does allow comparison to the other academic departments. The department of Entomology ranked ninth in average number of refereed publications per SY and eleventh in total publications per SY from 1995 – 2000.

• based upon 1999 SYS for all departments.

A survey was conducted to determine if the LAES publication list was an accurate estimate of the number of articles published by the entomology faculty.  Eleven faculty members responded.  From 1997 to 2000, the average number of refereed publications receiving LAES numbers was 1.7.  The average number of all refereed publications per year was 2.4.  These data indicate that approximately one-third of ouir publications are not routed for LAES publication numbers. 

Faculty recognition: The research and extension faculty members have received a variety of awards recognizing our collective contribution to the field of entomology. Furthermore, our faculty gives extensive community service in the form of serving as officers in professional societies and on editorial boards.

IMPACTS

Agriculture contributes nearly $10 billion to the Louisiana economy yearly. The impacts of our entomology programs clearly have an impact on the profits realized by agricultural producers as well as having an impact on the quality of life of our urban citizens. The LSU Agricultural Center web site http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/wwwac/impacts highlights the ways the people of Louisiana benefit from the work of the Ag Center.

The publications "LSU Ag Center Leads" are two-page impact statements that are available at this site. Our entomology programs are highlighted in almost half of those publications.

We have been asked to provide impact statements for the USDA data base yearly since 1998. The impact reports for 2000 are available at the web site http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/impactreports2000/database.htm. A sample of excerpts from impact statements submitted since 1998 relative to our entomology programs follow.

· Integrated Pest Management is both a strategy and a philosophy for addressing existing and potential pest problems. Because of the long growing season and subtropical climate, agricultural production in Louisiana is threatened annually by complexes of diseases, weeds, insects and vertebrates. Without management of these pests, agriculture would not be economical in the state. In sugarcane, efforts are ongoing to find effective but environmentally friendly insecticides that would not affect non-target species. Additionally, evaluation of sugarcane cultivar resistance to sugarcane borer has been supplemented by a new biological assay which helps to address pest management from the individual field and area-wide damage/yield loss perspective. Soybean IPM has focused on a multi-tactic approach, including biorational and selective insecticides, trap crops, biological control, routine scouting, insecticide resistance monitoring and early-maturing varieties to escape late-season migratory pests. This system has resulted in an insect management program that constitutes less than 10% of average production costs. Research and extension efforts in the pest areas have had a positive economic and ecological impact in Louisiana. For example, proper scouting methods for insects in cotton and more efficient use of insecticides have reduced the average number of applications in recent years. In 1997 alone, the reduction of insecticide applications from previous years has resulted in a cost savings of about $22 million.

· The rice water weevil is the most severe insect pest of rice in Louisiana, Texas and California, causing yield losses as high as 70 percent in some fields. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the use of carbofuran for the control of the rice water weevil. Effective control measures for the rice water weevil were developed. Research data generated from experimental trials resulted

in the registration of fipronil (Icon), lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate), and diflubenzuron

(Dimilin). Control of rice water weevil larvae given by the three newly registered

insecticides is equal to or better than control given by carbofuran, and cost of weevil

control using these new insecticides is either the same as or lower than cost of control using carbofuran. Rice producers benefit in that they no longer rely on just one chemical for rice water weevil control.

· Managing the bark beetle in southern pine forests: Forestry is Louisiana's number one agricultural endeavor. A large proportion of the total forestry income is derived from pine sawtimber and pulp. The primary agent responsible for pine mortality in Louisiana is the southern pine bark beetle (SPB). Losses from the SPB in Louisiana, since 1990, are in excess of $55 million; since 1971, losses from this beetle (over $300 million) far exceed those of all southern states. Additionally, environmental and ecological losses due to SPB destruction of endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitat and park lands are alarming. In 1995 alone, some 3500 separate SPB infestations devastated millions of dollars of pine timber and destroyed park and wildlife habitat despite our best efforts. Bark beetle research within the Agricultural Center has produced both short- and long-term integrated pest management strategies for minimizing SPB impacts to Louisiana's forests. Application of an integrated educational, applied cooperative research and predictive technology development statewide has saved private and industrial forest landowners tens of millions of dollars by substantially reducing pine bark beetle losses.

· Agricultural returns in Louisiana indicate that sugarcane is the most valuable field crop in the state and that its concentration in South Louisiana makes it the most significant driving force of agriculture in this area. Losses due to insect pests can be devastating. Scientists at the LSU Agricultural Center undertook the search for effective, environmentally friendly insecticides that would not cause fish or bird kills and would encourage the conservation of beneficial insects. Another aspect was development of insect resistant sugarcane varieties. Using an eight-criteria evaluation system, effective pest control compatible with other management and environmental concerns has been achieved. LSU AgCenter research played a major role in the granting of a permanent label for Confirm insecticide for sugarcane. Confirm is an environmentally friendly insecticide, and farmers have readily adopted it.

· The citrus leafminer was discovered in Louisiana in May 1994. High densities of the leafminer result in twisted and damaged leaves that dry out and have reduced photosynthesis. Growers who have tried to use insecticides against the citrus leafminer in Louisiana found them expensive and often ineffective because none of the foliar products provide control for longer than a couple of weeks. Also, when pesticides are used, they can disrupt the natural biological control offered by other pests. Classical biological control program was started against the citrus leafminer in Louisiana in January 1995. A parasitic wasp was obtained through cooperative efforts with the University of Florida. The wasp has survived for more than two years.  It can be considered permanently established in the citrus growing region of Louisiana and should continue to provide control of the citrus leafminer. Recent figures indicate the citrus crop can claim $4.5 million in gross farm income, making it important to the local economy of Plaquemines Parish. Citrus production is rebounding from the devastating freeze of December 1989, with acreage slowly increasing. Thanks to the efforts of the LSU Agricultural Center, the rebound in production and acreage will continue.

· Research on the control and economic impact of both internal and external parasites of beef cattle has identified effective control products and administration strategies, which have been recommended to cattle owners. Control of internal parasites has increased weight gain of treated cattle by 25 pounds to 150 pounds per animal, depending upon the degree of infection and the age and class of animal studied. At a minimum, implementing this technology could prevent losses by an estimated $10 million per year. Control of external parasites (specifically horn flies) has increased weaning weight of calves by 14 pounds per animal at a cost of only $2.50 per head. Using this technology could prevent an estimated $5 million in losses each year.

· The fire ant is an occasional pest of grain sorghum that has become more important as reduced tillage agriculture has increased. Between 1995 and 1998, 10 farm demonstrations were conducted by extension agents and specialists in five north Louisiana parishes. These demonstrations evaluated the effectiveness of the Gaucho seed treatment for fire ant control under a variety of conditions. These demonstrations were precipitated by research conducted by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. The results of these demonstrations indicated that the imported fire ant is an occasional pest of grain sorghum, although the probability of this problem can be predicted to a certain degree. These demonstrations showed that the Gaucho seed treatment can be an effective and convenient means of preventive fire ant control. This work has identified situations where insecticides may not be needed, because the probability of a fire ant problem is very low.

· To buy, use or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide, the applicator must demonstrate competence by becoming a certified pesticide applicator. A continuing educational program is offered by the LSU Agricultural Center’s Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service for both commercial and private pesticide applicators seeking either initial certification or recertification. One-, two- or three-day workshops or conferences are conducted for commercial applicators on an annual, biennial or triennial basis in the various certification categories. This educational program allows pesticides to be used safely in Louisiana in production agriculture, landscape maintenance, non-cropland areas such as aquatic and right-of-way vegetation control, controlling of arthropod vectors of disease and protecting of homes and other buildings from insect pests.

· The Formosan subterranean termite is the most destructive insect in Louisiana. This is despite the fact that its known distribution includes less than half of Louisiana’s parishes. Estimated losses are $300 million to $500 million per year in Louisiana and $1 billion per year in the United States. Additionally, other termites and structural pests are found throughout Louisiana. Efforts in integrated pest management of these pests are being carried out on several fronts. A community wide pilot test is being conducted in the French Quarter of New Orleans. LSU Agricultural Center scientists are providing technical expertise to the state in several areas. These scientists will evaluate the state’s tree treating program. Additionally, the state is considering changes in building codes, the use of pressure-treated wood and quarantines based on information provided by LSU Agricultural Center scientists. Education and research programs are continuing and being expanded. The integrated pest management program can save billions of dollars a year resulting in tremendous economic benefits. The state’s tree-treating program will reduce numbers of Formosan subterranean termites in trees in the most heavily infested areas of Louisiana. he use of pressure-treated wood and changing of building codes are the most important tools for long-term management of structural pests. The use of these tools will provide billions in economic benefits. Quarantines are crucial to slow down the spread of the Formosan subterranean termite. The greatest need in integrated pest management of structural pests is education.  LSU Agricultural Center researchers developed and patented a termite detection system that may soon be perfected and on the market. The termite detection system has the potential to save homeowners millions of dollars a year by early detection of the wood-eating pests. Now that the process has been developed and has a patent pending, the next step is full-scale testing.

· Insecticide Resistance Management in Cotton Insecticide resistance management is a critical component of integrated pest management with the goal of forestalling the development of resistance to all insecticides. In 1986, LSU Agricultural Center entomologists developed an IRM plan and a resistance monitoring program to slow the development of resistance to pyrethroids in tobacco budworms. Since 1986, the IRM plan has been refined to include all classes of insecticides and other insect pests of cotton. The IRM plan has helped develop a holistic system of IPM in Louisiana cotton production. The IRM program has prolonged the useful life of almost all insecticides used for cotton insect control. Most available insecticides would not be viable control options for Louisiana cotton producers without the implementation of IRM. Thus, Louisiana would not be able to economically produce cotton, a commodity valued at more than $500 million annually.

· Soybean insect pest management Among the greatest revolutions in American agriculture during the last 30 years has been the expansion of soybean production. Since 1965, soybeans have been grown on more acres (more than 1 million since 1967) annually than any cultivated crop in LA and in many years has ranked No. 1 in gross farm income. Insect pests in Louisiana cause economic and potential environmental consequences largely unknown in other states. For example, data over a six-year period revealed that average losses and control costs for insects were more than $72 million a year, which constituted about 40 percent of the insect impact for the nine Gulf Coast states where insect problems are most devastating.

Soybean insect pest management has resulted in a cost-effective program that has minimized insecticide use to an average of one to 1.5 applications per acre per year for south Louisiana and less than one in north Louisiana. The cost of insect management constitutes less than 10 percent of the average production costs, which is quite remarkable considering the heavy insect pest pressure facing Louisiana producers. The system has allowed Louisiana growers to remain competitive and has strengthened the state’s large agribusiness industry while striving to protect the environment.

· Million-dollar sweet potato revives failing Louisiana industry Fifty years ago Louisiana led the nation in sweet potato production with more than 100,000 acres. Then, when North Carolina released a new variety called Jewel in 1970, that state took over much of Louisiana’s market. Jewel suited the sandy soils of North Carolina. In 1987, the LSU Agricultural Center released a high-yielding sweet potato named Beauregard, which had a sweet, rich flavor, baked well and was disease-resistant. The Beauregard helped Louisianians reclaim lost market. Recent figures indicate the crop can claim $68.4 million in gross farm income and $24 million in value added for a total annual income to the state of $92.4 million. "Without LSU’s Ag Center, there would be no sweet potato industry in Louisiana," said Larry Fontenot, a grower from Washington, La.

Faculty salaries for the Department of Entomology have historically been substantially lower than salaries of colleagues in peer institutions. The latest figures from the Council of Department Administrators salary survey show that the mean salary for full professors in the Department of Entomology at LSU are nearly $17,000 less than the mean for peers from the Southern Region. The poor salary structure for faculty creates problems in recruiting and retention, not to mention morale of the faculty. The Chancellors of LSU A&M and the LSU Agricultural Center have recently declared that increasing faculty salary to nationally competitive levels is a priority in their respective campuses. Both chancellors have initiated steps to achieve this goal.

**SALARY VS. YEARS POST-PhD TABLE NOT SHOWN**