Contact Information
Entomology & Plant Pathology
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9775
TEL: (662) 325-2085
FAX: (662) 325-8837
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People :: Faculty
Frank M. Davis
Retired ARS/USDA Research Entomologist and Adjunct Professor
Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9775
Telephone: (662) 325-2983
FAX: (662) 325-8837
Email: fdavis@entomology.msstate.edu
B.S. Entomology, Mississippi State University, 1961
M.S. Entomology, Mississippi State University, 1963
Ph.D. Entomology, Mississippi State University, 1965
I am a retired USDA/ARS agricultural scientist (35 years of service) and adjunct professor of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University. My professional career as a research entomologist has centered primarily around the development of a successful plant resistance program for identifying, developing and releasing mzide germplasm with resistance to the southwestern corn borer and fall armyworm. During my tenure 11 inbred lines and one population of maize resistant to multi-lepidopterous pests were released to the public. A highly efficient lepidoperous rearing system was developed for producing millions of high quality neonates per year for field and laboratory evaluation of maize germplasm. Additionally, I have served as major professor for three doctoral students and three master level students, plus serving on the graduate committees of over 20 students. Presently, I am assisting the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in developing some journal education in the service of insect rearing and helping design a new insect rearing laboratory for them.
Selected Publications on Insect Rearing (From a Total of 145 Publications)
Davis, F.M. 1976. Production and handling of eggs of southwestern corn borer for host plant resistance studies. Mississippi Agri. & Forestry Exp. Stn. Tech. Bull. 74, 11p.
Davis, F.M. 1982. Southwestern corn borer: Oviposition cage for mass production. J. Econ. Entomol. 75: 61-65.
Davis, F.M. T.G. Oswalt, and S.S. Ng. 1985. Improved oviposition and egg collection system for the fall armyworm (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 78: 725-729.
Davis, F.M. 1989. Rearing the southwestern corn borer and fall armyworm at Mississippi State, Mississippi: Pages 27-38 In Toward Insect Resistant Maize for the Third World: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Methodologies for Developing Host Plant Resistance to Maize Insects. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMY T.
Davis, F.M., S. Malone, T.G. Oswalt, and W.C. Jordan. 1990. Medium-sized lepidopterous rearing system using multicellular rearing tray. J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 535-1540.
Davis, F.M., and J.N. Jenkins. 1995. Management of scales and other insect debris: occupational health hazard in a lepidopterous rearing facility. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 185-191.