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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #333513
Research Project: Systematics of Hemiptera and Related Groups: Plant Pests, Predators and Disease Vectors

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: John A. Davidson: Coccidologist, artist, teacher and naturalist

Author
item MILLER, DOUGLASS - Retired ARS Employee
item DENNO, BARBARA - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Entomologica Bari
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2017
Publication Date: 1/6/2018
Citation: Miller, D.R., Denno, B.D. 2018. John A. Davidson: Coccidologist, artist, teacher and naturalist. Entomologica Bari. 47(2016:5-11).

Interpretive Summary: Scale insects cause billions of dollars damage and control cost annually in the United States and the world on crops such as citrus, stone fruits, and ornamental plants to name a few. This online peer reviewed paper honors Dr. John Davidson who is one of the foremost scientists in the study or scale insect identification and control. This paper provides information on his many accomplishments and contributions in this area of science.

Technical Abstract: Dr. John Davidson was honored at the XIV International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies with the Career Achievement award for his outstanding research on scale insects, particularly armored scales. His contributions with colleagues and students include a comprehensive treatise on the economic armored scale insects of the United States, and a series of taxonomic works on armored scales in the genera Abgrallaspis, Crenulaspidiotus, Hemigymnaspis, Melanaspis, and Pseudischnaspis. He is best known for his detailed line drawings and beautiful color photographs. Research of his laboratory has emphasized the biology of the species studied including life history information on more than 20 species. He has undertaken pioneering research using integrated pest management strategies to develop the first arborist and nursery IPM programs. In ornamental landscapes he was among the first to test and promote summer oils for the control of armored scales. As a teacher, he taught courses in such diverse subjects as introductory entomology, systematics, insect taxonomy, insect morphology, parasitology, medical and veterinary entomology, coccidology, acarology, insect pests of ornamental plants, scientific illustration, ornithology, and human histology. He received high accolades from his students and was a member of more than 20 graduate committees in addition to serving as major professor to 10 graduate students in coccidology and acarology. John is a true naturalist and is knowledgeable of botany, general entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, herpetology, and acarology. He is well known for his sense of humor and his probing interest in science.