CENTER FOR ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
Edward J. Armbrust, Director
The Center for Economic Entomology serves Illinois citizens by investigating and resolving entomological problems and issues in four critical areas: natural environment, agriculture, medicine, and urban setting. In other states, basic and applied entomological research are conducted by scientists within the state's land grant university. The Illinois Natural History Survey was founded prior to the University of Illinois and was given the mandate by the Illinois legislature to conduct research on economically important insect pests and recommend measures for control of harmful insects. The university's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) has relied on scientists in Economic Entomology to conduct much of the state's insect-related research for the agricultural community. This has provided a unique opportunity to form partnerships with faculty in numerous university units including Crop Sciences, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Geography, Veterinary Medicine, and Entomology. Both university and Survey scientists work side by side sharing expertise, facilities, funding, and graduate students. The Center research and support staff are often jointly funded through Survey resources and the university's Agricultural Experiment Station with federal Hatch funds and by the Consortium for Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR). Further, the Center assembles and distributes educational information, often in cooperation with university extension specialists, resulting from and pertaining to its research activities. Developing scientifically sound management practices requires in-depth studies of pest biology and the impact of pests on their predators, parasites, and pathogens. In addition, it is important to understand the taxonomic relationship of closely related species. The Survey's vast collections and ongoing, long-term databases facilitate this type of research including that associated with insect pathogens.
Public Service
Illinois is constantly threatened by the appearance of new insect pests as well as changes in the behavior of existing pests that produce new and different problems. Center entomologists often are required to address these issues in a timely manner to provide Illinois citizens with management recommendations that are based on quality science and that are environmentally safe. The present western corn rootworm problem is an excellent example of a well-managed insect pest emerging as a new and different problem that has required intensive research to explain the pest's behavioral changes and its impact on corn production.
Center entomologists also conduct statewide surveys for exotic pests of potential concern. Studies continue to investigate the distribution and expansion of the introduced Asian tiger mosquito in the greater Chicago metropolitan area and elsewhere in the state. Each year the Center scientists and extension affiliates cooperating with scientists in the Center for Biodiversity identify insects and arthropods for individuals and a variety of entomology projects.
The Center provides many educational programs and opportunities in cooperation with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service to provide the public with up-to-date information on the management of insect pests and beneficial insects in agricultural crops, natural areas, and the urban environment and the control of mosquitoes and other medically important arthropods. Research emphasis is often aimed at developing management practices that do not require the use of pesticides or, at least, require only low levels to combat pest problems with minimum environmental and health risks. The Center's biological control program using beetles to control the introduced purple loosestrife wetland weed is an outstanding example of this type of management approach. In cooperation with other Survey staff, Center scientists and supporting personnel participate in numerous educational and outreach activities for a variety of audiences. Scientists meet with producer and agribusiness groups to discuss research findings and new approaches to pest management, and they assist with developing and participating in activities that teach young audiences about insects. The Center's Insect Theatre and Insect Expo are activities that stimulate young inquiring minds. This year we have organized a number of activities to provide learning opportunities for the Community Youth Creative Learning Experience (CYCLE) program for Chicago youth. Center staff also conduct a variety of workshops and short courses and make presentations to the public at museums, public and private organizations, and the university's Agronomy Day and Ag Open House.
Center staff present and discuss their research findings at numerous national and international professional scientific meetings. The Entomological Society of America, the American Mosquito Control Association, and other special-interest groups provide excellent forums for exchange of information between scientists. Center scientists and affiliates continue to provide national leadership in entomology through appointments to editorial boards of prestigious scientific journals, elected positions within professional societies, and as representatives to numerous federal research and planning committees. Staff expertise is often called upon to review manuscripts and grant proposals for a variety of state and federal agencies.
Excellence in research is often recognized by successfully obtaining competitive grant funding from external sources. Center staff have been awarded grants from numerous federal, state, county, and municipal agencies and private businesses. Support of this nature is vital to the continuation of the Center's research and educational activities in fundamental and applied entomology.