Author
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Henneberry, Thomas |
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Submitted to: Agricultural Research Service Publication
Publication Type: Government Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2005 Publication Date: 7/1/2008 Citation: Henneberry, T.J. 2008. Federal Entomology Beginnings and organizational entities in the United Sttes Department of Agriculture 1854-2006, with selected research highlights. Agricultural Information Bulletin No. 802, 79 pp. Interpretive Summary: Entomological science has been an organizational entity in the federal government since 1854. The last update on accomplishments and research concerns occurred in 1930. The current publication, documents organization changes, research challenges and accomplishments of the federal entomological organization from the 1930 report to 2004. Technical Abstract: Farm production losses by insect and mite pests have been estimated to be in the range of 10 to 15% with additional losses of 10 to 40% occurring during post-harvest handling. Costs of insecticides in the United States in recent years have exceeded 2 billion dollars. Efforts to avoid arthropod pest caused crop and animal losses, costs of pest control, and efforts to improve crop and animal production and to protect human health have been driving forces in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since it was established by Congress in 1862. The history of federal entomology, alone and in partnership with other federal and state agencies and industry, is paved with accomplishment and scientific leadership. New and improved crop and animal arthropod pest protection technology has contributed to the ability of the nation's agricultural system to provide food, fiber and human health protection for the needs of a continuing, escalating human population growth. A chronological history of the development and progress of the entomological organization within the USDA is presented in this document. |
