2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

News and Events for 2007

• Scientist honored for insect research
  On July 2, the Livestock Insect Workers Conference announced that entomologist Jerry Hogsette, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for "outstanding contributions to animal health and productivity."



• MFRU scientist to participate in EPA stakeholder meeting:
  On March 19, chemist Ulrich Bernier, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, will participate in a meeting sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC. The primary focus of the meeting is how repellent efficacy can best be presented to the public. Bernier will provide information regarding biological efficacy testing of U.S. Marine Corps combat utility uniforms.



• CMAVE scientists initiate disease reduction projects in Kenya
  On February 21-March 3, Kenneth Linthicum, director, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE), Gainesville, FL, entomologists Daniel Kline and Jerome Hogsette, and chemist Ulrich Bernier of the CMAVE Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU) were in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya, to initiate projects aimed at reducing disease transmission of Rift Valley fever and malaria through improved surveillance, monitoring, and novel control measures. A second group of CMAVE personnel, entomologists James Becnel and Sandra Allan and research leader Gary Clark of the MFRU, will depart on March 10 to continue CMAVE activities in Kenya.

News and Events for 2006

• Discussions on Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests:
  On February 12-13, entomologists David Oi, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Unit, and James Becnel and Roberto Pereira, Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, participated in a meeting of the S-1024 Multistate Research Project: Discovery of Entomopathogens and Their Integration and Safety in Pest Management Systems, in Savannah, GA.  The ARS scientists participated in discussions on the microbial control of fire ants, mosquitoes, flies, and other pests in urban, agricultural, and natural landscape systems.
  
  
• Florida State Fair
  
  

  The MFRU research unit provided an exhibit for spectators at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, February 9-22.

News and Events for 2005

• Insect Prevention in Aircraft
  On July 26-27, Jerry Hogsette, entomologist, and David A. Carlson, chemist, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, met at Orlando International Airport with representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aeronautics Administration, airlines, and Aeroclave, Inc.  The purpose was to demonstrate the utility of air curtains at aircraft doorways that prevent entrance or exit of flying and biting insects.  This is the second practical demonstration using commercially available air curtains, sponsored by the office of the Secretary of Transportation.  Several airlines were represented at this meeting in preparation for a field test in Jamaica later in 2005.
  
  
• Ground Breaking Ceremony
  The USDA/ARS-Center for Medical, Agricultural & Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE) in Gainesville, Florida held a ground breaking for their new facility on March 1.  The date was selected to coincide with an annual review of DOD and USDA Pest Management Research in Gainesville by the Armed Forces Pest Management Board.  The work in Gainesville is part of a long history of collaboration with DOD to produce products to control disease-carrying insects.  Currently, the USDA, ARS and CMAVE are participating in a Department of Defense (DOD) initiative called the Deployed War Fighter Protection Research Program (DWFP).

News and Events for 2004

• Scientists Judge Annual Florida State Science and Engineering Fair
  On April 15, scientists from the ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, served as judges at the 49th Annual State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida, in Jacksonville. A judging team consisting of Ulrich Bernier, chemist; Chris Geden, entomologist; and Genie White, microbiologist, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU), as well as Everett Foreman, engineering technician, and Rob Meagher and Jeff Shapiro, entomologists, ARS Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research Unit, awarded USDA Certificates and a 1-year subscription to Agricultural Research magazine to the top three projects in each of 13 junior and senior sections. Also, Dennis Shuman, electrical engineer, MFRU, served as a category judge of the Senior Engineering Section.  The fair is administered by the Florida Foundation of Future Scientists, an organization that promotes excellence in science and engineering education.
  
  
• National Restaurant Association Meeting
  On April 15, Jerome Hogsette, entomologist, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, presented a lecture about the biology and management of flies as a public health concern, at the annual meeting of the National Restaurant Association’s Quality Assurance Study Group, in Chandler, AZ.  This gave ARS an opportunity to interact with members of an important customer group, to enlighten them on ARS research on fly management in the urban environment, and to learn about their research needs in the area of fly control.
  
  
• Air Curtain Demonstration
  On March 9, acting research leader Bob Vander Meer, chemist Dave Carlson, and entomologists Chris Geden, Jerry Hogsette, and Dan Kline, ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Gainesville, FL, participated in an ARS research demonstration optimizing use of air curtains to exclude flying insects from aircraft.  Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the demonstration was performed at Miami International Airport in cooperation with American Airlines, which hosted the event and provided a Boeing 777 aircraft.  The results show that air curtains can be effective in excluding flying insects from aircraft and can offer an alternative to the use of insecticides.  Attendees included officials from airlines, airline-related unions and associations, and officials from countries that require airlines to ensure that planes are insect-free before passengers disembark.