The passion and life cycle of an entomologist began with bees and continues through the years

My profession as an entomologist began with my collecting bees on rose bushes. It continued with honeybee colonies, beekeeping FFA project in High School with my vocational agriculture teacher and membership in the RI Beekeepers Association. It continued with my undergraduate summers working at URI as a bee inspector with a survey entomologist. In my junior year I enrolled in an entomology graduate level class in Zoology and did a special project on bee dances. I also worked on the biology of the squash bee. Graduate School in Kansas State University involved responsibilities with bee breeding, assisting with alfalfa pollination study and serving as the apiculturist in the department with classes, displays and service with beekeepers. I have kept bees in 3 states for honey production, pollination and extension services (honey judge and insect collection judge at fairs, 4H projects on beekeeping and assisting as a beekeeping specialist) until one was hired full time. My career has centered on Horticultural Entomology, as a field entomologist for 36 years with pesticide testing and recommendations and as an IPM specialist. I have been active with insect monitoring, created Arthropod Management Tests and do international training. I remain active as a senior entomologist and present posters and talks at state, regional, national and international venues in Entomology and publish reports, publications, encyclopedia articles and book chapters.