- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Dr. Maurice J. Tauber, a visiting professor/scientist and associate with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, died Oct. 6 at the age of 82. Dr. Tauber was also an emeritus professor, and Graduate School professor, in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
Dr. Tauber earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Manitoba, Canada. In 1966 he received his doctorate in entomology from the University of California, Berkeley. He was on the faculty of the Cornell University Department of Entomology, from 1966 to 2000, and chaired the department from 1981 to 1986. At Cornell, his research and teaching focused on biological control of insects and insect behavior, with emphasis on experimental studies of insect seasonal cycles. In 2000, he retired from Cornell and became associated with UC Davis, where his research emphasis shifted to the comparative biology of New World green lacewings.
For nearly 50 years, Dr. Tauber shared a prolific scientific career with his wife, Dr. Catherine (Kady) Tauber, whom he met at UC Berkeley. The scope of his research embraced ecological, evolutionary, and behavioral questions, and involved both beneficial and pest species from eight insect orders. The research yielded fundamental insights into insect photoperiodism, dormancy, development, and speciation. The findings have a broad impact on applied problems, for example in the management of diverse crop production systems and natural ecosystems. He published approximately 200 papers, many with Kady, in entomological journals, as well as in Nature, Science, and Annual Reviews. He had two paper in press, and was working on several manuscripts in the weeks before his passing.
He also wrote numerous book chapters, and a textbook Seasonal Adaptations of Insects (1986, co-authored with Kady and Dr. Sinzo Masaki of Japan). The book continues to serve as a stimulus and resource for research on insect seasonality: the underlying ecophysiological and genetic mechanisms; its role in the evolution of insect life histories and speciation; and its importance to insect pest management.
Dr. Tauber was major professor for a number of graduate students who have continued their careers in entomology, including Drs. Jim Nechols, John Obrycki, John Ruberson, Gilberto Albuquerque, Lindsey Milbrath, Yin-Fu Chang, and José I. Lopez-Arroyo. He was a dedicated mentor and enthusiastic supporter of his graduate students, as well as undergraduates who worked in the Blauvelt Lab at Cornell University. At UC Davis, he advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students in an informal capacity.
Dr. Tauber was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Entomological Society of Canada, and the California Academy of Sciences. He served on the Governing Board and several editorial boards of the Entomological Society of America. For more than 20 years he was active on the editorial board of the European Journal of Entomology. He was also a research associate of the B.P. Bishop Museum in Honolulu, and a member of numerous scientific societies.
The International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) recognized his work with two awards that he shared with his wife: the IOBC/Nearctic Regional Section Distinguished Scientist Award (2002) and Honorary Membership – Global IOBC (2012).
Dr. Maurice Tauber is survived by his wife, and their sons and daughter (Paul, Michael, and Agatha).
No immediate services are planned, but a memorial may take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to a University of California library, or the Cornell University Library.
Tributes:
"When I joined the faculty at Davis in 1973, Maurice was the first to welcome me to the biological-control community and he served as my mentor for several years while I developed my research program. Following his retirement from Cornell, I was absolutely delighted to host both Maurice and Kady in my laboratory at Davis. It's been a wonderful collaboration. Maurice was a outstanding scientist, colleague, and friend. His passing is a great loss for our profession."--Les Ehler, emeritus professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.
Related Links:
Noted Scientists Maurice and Catherine Tauber Honored by California Academy of Sciences
Nov. 13, 2009
Taubers Receive International Honor
Dec. 31, 2012
The Fascinating Behavior of Debris-Carrying by Green Lacewing Larvae
March 26, 2014
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Host is Michael Parrella, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology.
Dara, an Extension entomologist since January 2009, serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and is an affiliated UC IPM advisor, part of the UC Statewide IPM Program.
In his role as the strawberry and vegetable crops advisor, Dara primarily looks after pest management, but also works on disease, irrigation, weed, and nutrition management issues. As an IPM advisor, he contributes to the IPM solutions of various crops grown in California. "My research focuses on developing IPM solutions with the goal to balance the use of chemical and non-chemical alternatives for pest management," he said. He serves as a resource person for microbial control of various pests.
Dara is a member-at-large of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America; a trustee of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, and the vice chair for S1052, the national working group on improving microbial control of arthropod pests. He also chairs the UC Cooperative Extension Strawberry Working Group. In addition, Dara has served on the faculty of the University of Phoenix, California, since 2008.
The Extension advisor has written 19 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, one book chapter, 34 articles in other journals, and 117 extension articles. He has delivered several presentations worldwide. He has trained strawberry growers in India, Kosovo, Moldova, and Transnistria, and also lends his expertise to strawberry industries in a number of countries.
As a principal investigator, co-principal investigator and a collaborator of various projects, Dara has received more than $2 million in grant funding.
Dara earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree at the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India, obtaining his bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences, and his master's degree in entomology. He went on to receive his doctorate in entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va. in 1995.
After receiving his doctorate, Dara served as an entomopathologist from 1996-1999 for the Plant Health Management Division, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture under the United Nations Development Program, Cotonou, Republic of Benin in West Africa. He was a post-doctoral research associate from 2003-2004 with the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, and an independent software consultant, 2001-2003.
His other work experience includes assistant project scientist, 2005-2006, with the UC Davis Department of Nematology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology), and quality control manager-ISO (International Organization for Standardization) from 2006 to 2009 for Certis, USA, Wasco.
Dara's seminar will be recorded for later viewing on UCTV.
Upcoming seminars are listed here.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
His talk is from 12:10 to 1 p.m. Hosts are assistant professor Joanna Chiu and distinguished professor Frank Zalom, Department of Entomology and Nematology.
Walton is the lead investigator for the Spotted Wing Drosophila Project. He will cover the spotted wing drosophila and the brown marmorated stink bug.
"My work at OSU work focuses on resolving key entomological industry needs in the Pacific Northwest with current focus on spotted wing drosophila, brown mamorated stink bug, mealybugs and sustainable pest managment in hazelnut orchards," he said. "Previously I studied mites in Oregon vineyards."
"The aim of my work is to provide environmentally sustainable and minimal impact pest management strategies for agriculturalists in Oregon and further afield. This is done with knowledge obtained from detailed insect physiological, biological, behavioral, ecological and environmental studies. I have a strong focus to develop monitoring tools and determine economic and action thresholds. This knowledge is then used to apply treatments timed to occur during periods when pests are at their most vulnerable. I have knowledge and experience using alternative pest control methods including various modes of biological control, mating disruption and conventional synthetic pesticides. It is believed that use of a combination of these pest management strategies will minimize environmental impact and optimize sustainable agriculture."
Walton received his degrees from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He obtained his bachelor's degree in botany and zoology in 1992; his master's degree in integrated pest management in 1998; and his doctorate in 2003.
He has served as an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at OSU since 2012. He joined the OSU faculty in 2006, having earlier served as a postdoctoral researcher with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, UC Berkeley.
He has written extensively about the brown marmorated stink bug, spotted wing drosophila and other pests. His list of refereed publications include:
Wiman, N.G., V.M. Walton, P.W. Shearer, S.I. Rondon, and J.C. Lee. 2014. Factors affecting flight capacity of brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). J. Pest Sci. DOI:10.1007/s10340-014-0582-6.
Tochen, S., D. T. Dalton, N. G. Wiman, C. Hamm, P. W. Shearer, and V. M. Walton. 2014. Temperature-related development and population parameters for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) on cherry and blueberry. Environ. Entomol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN13200.
Walton, V. M., 2014. CABI, Invasive Species Compendium, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Impacts: Original text by V. M., Walton. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/isc.
Chiu J.C., Jiang X., Zhao L., Hamm C.A., Cridland J.M., Saelao P., Hamby K.A., Lee E.K., Kwok R.S., Zhang G., Zalom F.G., Walton V.M., Begun D.J. 2013. Genome of Drosophila suzukii, the Spotted Wing Drosophila. G3 (Bethesda). 9;3(12):2257-71. doi: 10.1534/g3.113.008185.
Lee, J. C., Shearer, P. W., Barrantes, L., Beers, E., Burrack, H., Dalton D. T., Dreves, A. J., Gut L. J., Hamby, K A., Havilland D R., Isaacs, R., Nielsen A. L., Richardson, T, Rodriguez-Saona C., Stanley, C. A., Walsh, D. B., Walton V. M., Yee, W. L., Zalom, F. G., and D J. Bruck, 2013. Trap Designs for Monitoring Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Environ. Entomol. 42(6): DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN13148
Rossi Stacconi M.V., Grassi A., Dalton D., Miller B., Ouantar M., Ioriatti C., Walton V., Anfora G. 2013. First field records of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera Pteromalidae) as a parasitoid of Drosophila suzukii in European and Oregon Small fruit production areas. Entomologia 2013 1; 11-16
Walton V.M., Dalton D.T., Daane K. M., Kaiser C. and Hilton R. J. 2013. Seasonal Phenology of Pseudococcus maritimus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Pheromone-Baited Trap Survey of Four Important Mealybug Species in Three Wine Grape Growing Regions of Oregon. Ann Entomol Soc Amer 106(4): 471-478.
Gadino A. N., Walton V. M. and J. C. Lee, 2012. Evaluation of methyl salicylate lures on populations of Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and other natural enemies in western Oregon vineyards. Biological Control, 2012, 63, 1, pp 48-55.
Lee J. C., Burrack H. J., Barrantes L. D., Beers E. H., Dreves A. J., Hamby K., Haviland D. R., Isaacs R., Richardson T., Shearer P., Stanley C.A., Walsh D. B, Walton V. M. and F. G. Zalom 2012. Evaluation of monitoring traps for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in North America. J. Econ Entomol. 2012, 105, 4, pp 1350-1357.
Miller B., Bruck D. J., Walton, V. M., 2012. Relationship of Black Vine Weevil Egg Density and Damage to Two Cranberry Cultivars. HortSci 47(5): 1–7.
Gadino A. N, Walton V. M., 2012. Temperature-related development and population parameters for Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) found in Oregon vineyards. Exp Appl Acarol 2012, 58, 1, pp 1-10.
Chambers U., Walton V.M. and S. A. Mehlenbacher 2011. Susceptibility of Hazelnut Cultivars to Filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana. HortSci 46: 1377-1380.
Gadino A. N., Walton V. M. and J. Lee. 2011. Olfactory response of the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to methyl salicylate in laboratory bioassays. J Appl Entomol DOI 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2011.01670.x
Daane K. M., Middleton, M. C., Sforza, R., Cooper, M. L., Walton, V. M., Walsh, D. B., Zaveio, T., and R.P.P. Almeida. 2011. Development of a multiplex to distinguish mealybug species found in North American vineyards. Environ Entomol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN11075.
Dalton D.T., Walton V.M., Shearer, P.W., Walsh, D.B., Caprile J. and R. Isaacs. 2011. Laboratory survival of Drosophila suzukii under simulated winter conditions of the Pacific Northwest and seasonal field trapping in five primary regions of small and stone fruit production in the United States. Pest Manag Sci 67(11): 1368-1374.
Gadino A. N., Walton V. M. and A.J. Dreves. 2011. Laboratory bioassays to determine impact of six pesticides on the beneficial arthropod, Typhlodromus pyri (Scheuten) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Econom Entomol 104(3): 970-977.
Walsh D.B., M.P. Bolda, R. E. Goodhue, A. J. Dreves, J. Lee, D. J. Bruck, V. M. Walton, S. D. O'Neal and F. G. Zalom. 2011. Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae): Invasive Pest of Ripening Soft Fruit Expanding Its Geographic Range and Damage Potential. J Integ Pest Mngmt 2(1): 1-7.
Walton's seminar is the first in the fall seminar series. The complete schedule is on the website.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Preto, a former foster care youth, is an incredible success story who hurdled the obstacles heaved in her path and lets nothing—absolutely nothing--block her education, enthusiasm, research or goals.
She turned a disadvantaged childhood into a college diploma, and a college diploma into graduate school.
“I'm the first in my family to graduate from college and to attend graduate school,” said Preto, who calls Los Angeles “home.”
In June, UC Davis awarded her a bachelor's degree in viticulture and enology with an entomology minor in agricultural pest management. Now she's studying for her master's degree in entomology with major professor and integrated pest management specialist Frank Zalom, distinguished professor in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.
“I first met Cindy in my Entomology 110 class, Arthropod Pest Management,” Zalom recalled. “She was usually the last student to leave the diagnostic labs each week, and one time she apologized to me for staying so long. She said that she had been out of school and working for a while so she wanted to get the most out of her classes.”
“She was a viticulture and enology major,” Zalom said. “We discussed having her do an undergrad research project on grapes, so she applied for and received a MURALS (Mentorship for Undergraduate Research in Agriculture, Letters and Science) scholarship which allowed her to conduct a project in my lab.”
Her project? The development of the invasive European grapevine moth. Preto conducted her research in the Contained Research Facility on campus with co-advisors Spencer Walse and Dave Bellamy of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Like Zalom, they praised her “excellent work ethic and enthusiasm.”
On Saturday, Sept. 27 Preto will represent the Zalom lab at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's open house on “How To Be an Entomologist” from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building on Crocker Lane.” She'll show visitors what leafhoppers and parasitized eggs look like.
“I am currently doing a biological survey of Virginia Creeper leafhopper in vineyards, looking at the population dynamics of all life stages, egg, nymphs, and adults,” Preto said.
The Virginia Creeper is one of three leafhoppers that she's studying in her population dynamics research. The others are the Western grape leafhopper and the Variegated leafhopper. They're all about the same size: 2 millimeters. In rearing eggs from nymphs to adults, she knows the distinguishing characteristics of each.
Zalom admires her enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism. “I was not seeking another grad student, but I couldn't help but accept Cindy into my lab when she decided that she would like to pursue a master's degree,” Zalom recalled. “Her project on leafhoppers associated with grapes fits her goals of working again in the grape industry when she completes her degree. Her enthusiasm for learning hasn't changed, and her research has been proceeding very well.”
Indeed it has. She's also drawing widespread attention as a scholar. She received a Peter J. Shields Scholarship in September 2011; a Wine Spectator scholarship in September 2012; the MURALS research scholarship in November 2012; a Syngenta Scholarship, June 2013; a Wine Spectator Scholarship in October 2013; and an Orange County Wine Society Scholarship in October 2013.
Preto also participates in the new UC Davis program, Guardian Professions Program or GPP, which is open to Masters/Ph.D students who are former foster care youth. And, she continues to participate in the Guardian Scholars Program or GSP, open to all UC Davis students who were cared for in foster homes. GSP students offer support for one another and also to current and former foster care youth in local high schools and community colleges by offering UC Davis campus tours, outreach, interactive activities, and speaking on panels to share their story in hopes of encouraging former foster care youth to seek higher education.
A world traveler, she has journeyed to all seven continents, all 50 states, and to 59 countries. "It can be inexpensive," she said. Along the way, she's taken scores of images of insects.
Preto takes a multi-disciplinary approach to not only her research but life in general, eager to know, learn and share. She figuratively skips to work, excitedly looking forward to new entomological finds. She's recorded and photographed not only leafhoppers, but assassin bugs, minute pirate bugs, stink bugs, lace bugs, mites, thrips, damselflies, dragonflies, moths, bees, wasps, spiders (jumping spiders and black widows), whiteflies and praying mantids.
When Preto is not out in the field monitoring insects, you'll usually find her reading about them or studying them in the lab—weekends included. “It's extremely fascinating,” she said.
Her career goal? To work for a vineyard in a pest and disease management position, preferably in an organic grape or sustainable vineyard. Another goal: to receive her Pest Control Adviser license.
“I love it,” she said.
Related links:
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Integrated management specialist Frank Zalom, president of the 7000-member Entomological Society of America (ESA), and a distinguished professor in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, delivered two presentations at the 25th Brazilian Congress of Entomology (BCOE) conference held Sept. 14-18 in the Goiania Convention Center.
As the ESA president, he invited the BCOE participants to attend the 62nd annual ESA meeting, set Nov. 16-19 in Portland, Ore. The theme is “Grand Challenges Beyond Our Horizons.”
Also at the Brazilian meeting, Zalom presented a talk on the North American invasion of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, during a symposium on invasive insects.
Christian Nansen, the newest faculty member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, also was an invited speaker, discussing "The Use of Remote Sensing Technologies in Basic and Applied Research of Insect Pests in Production Systems of Grains and Fibers." He joins the UC Davis faculty from the School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia.
Chemical ecologist Walter Leal, professor in the UC Davis Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and co-chair of the 2016 International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2016), delivered the plenary lecture and a talk on ICE 2016. He invited the Brazilian Congress to attend ICE 2016, set Sept. 25-30, 2016 in Orlando, Fla. It promises to be the world's largest gathering entomologists, he said.
This was the first time in the history of entomology that an ESA President, vice president and the two most recent past presidents attended a Brazilian Congress of Entomology
Also a first: the Brazilian meeting featured an EntomoQuiz, a version of the Linnaean Games, a quiz-show competition about science and insects featured at the ESA annual meetings for more than three decades.
Among the other ESA representatives participating at the Brazilian meeting were
- ESA Vice President Phil Mulder, professor and head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University
- ESA Past President Grayson Brown, professor of entomology and director of the Public Health Entomology Laboratory, University of Kentucky's Department of Entomology
- ESA Immediate Past President Rob Wiedenmann, head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas
- ESA Executive Director David Gammel
Photo Caption
In the third photo below (the template does not allow the full description) are:
Walter Leal of UC Davis, co-chair of ICE 2016; Eliane Quintela, presidente of the XXVth Brazilian Congress of Entomology; Antonio Panizzi, past president of the Sociedade Entomological do Brasil (SEB) [or Entomological Society of Brasil (SEB)], Frank Zalom of UC Davis, ESA President, Phil Mulder of Oklahoma State University, ESA vice president; Pedro Neves, SEB president; David Gammel (behind), ESA executive director; Grayson Brown of the University of Kentucky, ESA past president; and Rob Wiedenmann of the University of Arkansas, ESA immediate past president.
