Rob Williams

Longtime Texas A&M leader, nationally recognized entomologist passes

June 26, 2020 by Rob Williams

From professor to chancellor, Perry Adkisson advanced agriculture, Texas A&M

by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Perry Adkisson, Ph.D., former Texas A&M University System leader and internationally known agricultural scientist in the area of entomology, has died.

Adkisson became a professor of entomology at Texas A&M in 1958, and went on to serve as the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System from 1986 until 1990, before retiring in 1994 as a distinguished professor. During his long career at Texas A&M, he also served as deputy chancellor, vice president for agriculture and renewable resources, and head of the Department of Entomology.

“Texas A&M and Texas agriculture are eternally grateful for the contributions Dr. Adkisson made during his years of service,” said Patrick Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor of Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “His leadership and dedication will serve as an example for all faculty, current and future.”

Adkisson makes a difference in agriculture

Adkisson was an early pioneer in developing the concepts for integrated pest management through his research on control of the insect pests of cotton. He led the development of highly successful integrated control programs for the boll weevil, bollworm and other key pests of cotton and saw these programs implemented on millions of acres of Texas cotton. He also was instrumental in the development and implementation of similar programs for other major Texas crops.

His most important work was toward preventing the spread of the boll weevil in the High Plains of Texas. The weevil was discovered there in 1962, and the farmers on the High Plains became very concerned. Adkisson helped develop a diapause control program that not only prevented the spread of the weevil, but virtually eliminated it from the High Plains. The success of this program led to the development of an eradication program.

Dr. Perry Adkisson stands in high cotton on the High Plains. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Adkisson makes a difference at Texas A&M

As Chancellor, Adkisson worked with the State legislature and U.S. Congress to increase funding by almost 50% for the research, teaching and extension programs of the Texas A&M System. He established several new research-teaching centers, including the Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston, and gained approval for the construction of several new buildings. He also successfully led the effort to bring Corpus Christi State University, Texas A&I University, now Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Laredo State University and West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M University into Texas A&M System.

Shortly after President George H. W. Bush was elected, Adkisson began working to get President Bush and the U.S. National Archives to locate Bush’s presidential library on the Texas A&M campus. He later was named executive director of the Bush Presidential Library Center and the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation.

He also was named a Regents Professor of entomology, Chancellor Emeritus and Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Adkisson was also inducted into the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor at the State Fair of Texas in 1998.

Honors and recognitions

Adkisson received the three most prestigious international awards in agriculture, the Alexander Von Humboldt Award, the Wolf Prize in Agriculture, and the World Food Prize. He was listed among the 25 agricultural scientists having the greatest impact on U.S. agriculture in the 20th Century.

Other recognitions he earned over his lifetime included: Entomological Society of America’s J. Everett Bussart Award for Outstanding Research in Economic Entomology; Man of The Year for Texas Agriculture, Progressive Farmer; Distinguished Texas Scientist of the Year by the Texas Academy of Sciences; and Distinguished Service Awards from the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the American Agricultural Editors Association.

Adkisson was elected to The National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and served as president of the Entomological Society of America.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Arkansas. He earned a doctorate in entomology from Kansas State University in 1956 and did his postdoctoral work at Harvard University.

Services

Services will be live streamed via Facebook by Memorial Funeral Chapel at 3 p.m. July 3.

AgriLife Extension experts: Time to say ‘no’ to mosquitoes

June 25, 2020 by Rob Williams

by Susan Himes, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications

The Asian tiger mosquito, one of 85 species found in Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Mike Merchant)

Did you know there are 85 species of mosquitoes in Texas that have been identified by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s agricultural and environmental safety unit personnel?

That’s a lot of itch-inducing painful pests to worry about. Besides being a buzzing and biting nuisance, mosquitoes carry a host of diseases and viruses that can be dangerous to people, pets and livestock.

“It’s a mosquito’s world,” said Sonja Swiger, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension veterinary entomologist in Stephenville. “Whether you see them or not, they are all around us.”

Our state’s warm climate makes a prime breeding ground for vector-borne illnesses, so AgriLife Extension experts hope Texans will observe Mosquito Awareness Week on June 21-27 by learning how to prevent and control these pests.

Mosquito basics

Male mosquitos feed only on nectar, unlike their blood-sucking counterparts. Females also feed on nectar but need blood for egg production.

There are species of mosquitoes that feed during the day and species that feed at night. That may be why it seems like there are so many mosquitoes out at dawn and dusk – during these periods, the day and night feeders may overlap.

Swiger said during the day, grassy areas with tree coverage are where mosquitoes like to be to avoid the hot sun. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperature. That’s why on warmer days, they seek shade and why they typically aren’t around when the thermometer dips below the mid-50s.

“People in the city may not even notice mosquitoes during the day,” she said. “But the species of mosquito that carries West Nile virus typically lives in more urban areas, so people in cities are more likely to contract West Nile virus and need to be aware.”

If you live in the country, you’ll typically encounter more mosquitoes during the day, especially when it’s wet, Swiger said.

“At night, no one is better off than anyone else when it comes to mosquitoes,” Swiger said. “Whether you live in the country, suburbs or a big city, you’ll have mosquitoes to contend with.”

Mosquitoes hibernate in the winter. Some mosquitoes spend their winter as eggs that then hatch when the weather warms up, while others hibernate as adults or larvae. Areas with a hot and humid tropical climate can experience mosquitoes year-round.

Mosquitoes and disease

Mosquitoes can transmit viruses such as Zika, West Nile, malaria, dengue and more to humans.

“In Texas, our biggest concern is West Nile virus,” explained Swiger. “It has been found throughout the U.S., and we here in Texas have experienced a large number of cases in the past. It’s something that varies year to year, so there’s no way of predicting what kind of year this will be.”

In 2012, Texas experienced its largest outbreak of West Nile virus in history with over 1,800 confirmed cases.

“Most of these victims reported they were bitten at home,” Swiger said. “So, it’s important that Texans be aware at all times and use repellant when necessary.”

She said dengue is the other most important mosquito-related disease Texans need to be aware of. While it is primarily seen in South Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and areas bordering Mexico, someone that contracts it could travel anywhere.

“We also need to remember that Zika is still out there,” Swiger said. “That is something that pregnant women in particular need to be aware of.”

Mosquitoes and animals

Mosquitoes can transmit dangerous disease-causing parasites to dogs and horses too, including canine heartworms, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

“We don’t see Eastern equine encephalitis much, but even one case is cause for concern, since the mortality rate for horses with EEE is 75-80%,” Swiger said. “We typically see cases in East Texas and can expect to have cases in horses again this year. But we haven’t seen a case in humans yet.”

Swiger also noted while there are currently EEE, WEE and West Nile vaccines available for horses, there are none for humans as yet.

Mosquito protection

When you are outdoors in any area where there could be mosquitoes, it is wise to wear long sleeves and long pants. The tighter the weave of the fabric, the better protection it will offer from bites.

When it comes to topical protection, proven effective mosquito repellents will have at least one of these ingredients: DEET, IR3535, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, which may also be listed as paramenthane-3, 8-diol.

Mosquito prevention

The first step in mosquito prevention involves finding and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near standing water, so any stagnant water is a potential problem. Any place around the home or property where water can collect and sit for seven to 10 days is a problem to address.

Check property for standing water in clogged rain gutters, birdbaths, old tires, children’s play equipment, potted plant trays, tarps, holes in trees, bowls and buckets — literally anything that can hold standing water. Make sure to regularly change the water in any pet bowls outside.

Dump or drain stagnant water and turn over or cover items that catch and hold water. Gravel or sand can be used to fill places where stagnant water collects.

Mosquito eradication

If a mosquito problem needs wider control, it may be necessary to call a pest control company that specializes in mosquito management. For some do-it-yourself options, AgriLife Extension experts suggest:

– Treating standing water with insecticide/larvicide.

– Applying residual sprays on yard surfaces.

– Using mosquito foggers in the yard.

If opting for a chemical solution, always read the label first and carefully check to determine if it is harmful for human, animals, plants or beneficial insects.

To learn more about mosquitoes, AgriLife Extension offers a Mosquito Control website and a Mosquito Safari. The website also is where Mike Merchant, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas, has created a series of informative mosquito videos. Follow Swiger on her blog for more about bugs and insects.

African horse sickness on Texas A&M, industry radar

June 24, 2020 by Rob Williams

Potential insect vectors in Texas

by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications

Horses would be at risk if African horse sickness makes it into the U.S. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

African horse sickness is not in the U.S., and it is important it stays that way.

Texas A&M AgriLife faculty, various state and federal agencies and the U.S. horse industry are already monitoring the situation, ensuring surveillance and determining practices to prevent the deadly horse disease from crossing our borders.

African horse sickness comes out of Africa and is common from Morocco down to the middle of the continent. But it has escaped the African continent several times, most recently into Thailand, where it is believed to have been introduced by importation of infected zebras. African horse sickness is caused by a virus, more specifically an Orbivirus, which is transmitted by certain insects.

“Equines including horses, mules, donkeys and zebras are moved all over the world for competitions, trade, breeding, zoologic and conservation purposes,” said Pete Teel, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research entomologist with the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, College Station.

“There is a real risk that this foreign animal disease could be introduced to the Western Hemisphere, including North America, where we have insects that will likely serve as effective vectors of this virus,” Teel said.

“The U.S. is constantly threatened by introductions of foreign animal diseases,” he said. “Diligent surveillance, detection and planned responses at state and federal levels is essential, as is keeping an eye on what is happening globally. Having advanced knowledge and warnings is a huge advantage toward prevention before it gets into our country.”

Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, state agencies like the Texas Animal Health Commission, and concerned and vigilant equine industry stakeholders are all part of the first line of defense, Teel said.

“If African horse sickness does come to the U.S., do we have knowledge of insects that will likely transmit this virus? Yes,” Teel said. “Do we know everything we need to know about it? Probably not.”

He said depending on the serotype of the virus that were to be introduced, “it will be necessary to determine whether the insects we have are competent vectors in the laboratory and capable vectors in the field. And further, to improve practices to protect equines from vector transmission and infection.”

What is African horse sickness

The tiny biting midge, as seen here compared to a mosquito, right, is a vector for African horse sickness. (Courtesy photo)

African horse sickness is considered a Tier 3 disease by the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, NBAF, because of the potential negative impact on animal health.

African horse sickness symptoms are the same as those associated with respiratory and circulatory impairment. At the first signs of the disease, owners are advised to eliminate affected horses and vaccinate noninfected horses with polyvalent vaccine; then let them rest for two weeks.

The APHIS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have import requirements in place to reduce the likelihood of AHSV introduction. Per APHIS regulation, imported horses undergo inspection prior to export. Horses imported from AHS-affected countries are required to undergo a 60-day quarantine upon arrival in the U.S.

Horses are the most susceptible host with close to 90% mortality of those affected, followed by mules and donkeys. African donkeys and zebras very rarely display clinical symptoms, despite high virus titers in blood, and are thought to be the natural reservoir of the virus. Thus, it is thought the virus was transported to Thailand through asymptomatic zebras.

Texas A&M expertise on African horse sickness

“The primary vectors of African horse sickness are among species of biting midges, which are very small blood-feeding flying insects about 1/8th of an inch in length,” Teel said. “The immature stages of these insects complete their portion of the midge life cycle in association with wet habitats ranging from permanent and semi-permanent aquatic areas to very moist soils and decaying organic matter.”

He explained these are biological vectors meaning that the virus reproduces inside biting midges after blood meals are taken from infected animals; the resulting infected midges are then able to infect new animals.

“We have biting midges in the U.S.,” Teel said. “They are involved in the transmission of two similar viruses causing diseases known as blue tongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease in livestock and wildlife.”

He said Texas has biting midges and both diseases. AgriLife Research entomologists have been involved in studying the taxonomy, ecology and management of biting midges associated with these and other pathogens, in part stimulated by the emergence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Texas deer farms.

“A recent study of biting midges in an urban area of Brazos County found eight species including the principle vector species associated with blue tongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease,” Teel said. “This species has been studied under laboratory conditions and found to experimentally acquire and transmit the virus of African horse sickness.

“The discovery of African horse sickness in Thailand is another reminder that our global connectedness has risks and that state, national and global surveillance is the key to early warnings, to preparedness and to response.”

Teel reassured that were African horse sickness to threaten the U.S., AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension has diverse expertise, facilities and services to assist in preparation and response, including basic and applied research.

“It is important for us moving forward to continue working with the equine industry and equine veterinarians here in the U.S. and with international organizations such as the World Organization for Animal Health, who recently did a series of webinars on this event and are the international standard setting body for how to safely move horses around the globe,” said Elizabeth Parker, DVM, AgriLife Research associate director for operations and strategic initiatives, College Station.

Prevention

Currently, vaccines for African horse sickness are effective but not optimal because they contain live pathogens that can sicken horses, especially if not administered correctly, or lead to the creation of new genetic variants of the disease.

In countries where African horse sickness is a problem, Teel said prevention is provided with vaccines to the serotype present in that region or the use of insecticides to keep the midges from biting.

With horses, it might mean keeping them stalled in areas where biting midges are a problem and using insecticides to keep the midges off them. But this might not be as possible with wild horses or horses in pastures that may not be able to be handled or stabled.

Moving forward

Teel said the investigation in Thailand should help scientists understand what happened and how the disease traveled – most likely infected animals moved to an area where there were native vectors.

“For the U.S., we need to be vigilant in understanding what this virus is, its cycle in nature as it is presently understood, and then to determine what vectors we have here and how they could potentially play a role in this,” he said. “With blue tongue and EHD, we might already have some insight on how efficient the midges might be as vectors.

“And then we have the other part of vector transmission and that is called vector capacity. Is the timing right for the vectors to work in the field, as opposed to the lab, looking at seasonal phenology? We have a lot to learn and we need to stay on top of it.”

Tick surveillance, control needed in U.S., study shows

June 18, 2020 by Rob Williams

First nationwide survey of tick-management programs shows clear public health gap

by Olga Kuchment, Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing & Communications

Two Asian longhorned ticks atop a dime. Photo by CDC/James Gathany

The prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses has steadily increased in the U.S. over the past 20 years. Now, an inaugural nationwide study of tick surveillance and control describes a clear need for more funding and coordination among programs across the country.

Among the coauthors is a Texas A&M AgriLife researcher, Pete Teel, Ph.D., a Regents professor in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. Teel said that while Texas has monitored and controlled ticks since 1893, a nationwide database is needed.

The study’s authors surveyed 140 vector-borne disease professionals working at state, county and local agencies in fall 2018. Reaching even that many respondents proved challenging, the authors said. No central database of tick-management programs or contacts was available.

The survey’s aim was to learn about programs’ objectives and capabilities for tick surveillance and control. Respondents were also asked whether they tested ticks for disease-causing germs, and about barriers to success.

Nationwide, less than half of public health and vector-control agencies engage in active tick surveillance, according to the survey. Only 12% of the surveyed agencies directly conduct or otherwise support tick-control efforts.

The Lyme disease bacterium is spread through the bite of infected deer ticks, or blacklegged ticks. Photo courtesy of CDC

The study appeared on June 17 in the Journal of Medical Entomology. In addition to Teel, the authors were from Cornell University; University of Florida, Gainesville; University of California, Davis; University of Illinois; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. The authors are also affiliated with the CDC’s five Vector-Borne Disease Regional Centers of Excellence.

“Ticks are responsible for the majority of our vector-borne illnesses in the U.S., and our programming does not adequately meet the need in its current form, for both surveillance and control,” said Emily Mader, public health researcher, lead author on the study and program manager at the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, led by Cornell University.

Texas has a long history of tick surveillance

In Texas, early detection and control have led to discoveries of exotic ticks, Teel said. These efforts kept the ticks from becoming established.

Dog ticks can transmit cattle fever and other animal and human diseases. Photo by CDC/James Gathany

“These ticks could have introduced several devastating diseases with high risks for humans, livestock and wildlife,” he said. “National databases for the kinds of ticks that are present, and how those populations change with time and space, would be hugely informative for public health and animal health needs.”

Texas has engaged in tick surveillance and control activities since 1893. At that time, the 23rd Texas Legislature established the Livestock Sanitary Commission, which later became the Texas Animal Health Commission.

“I believe this to be the oldest and longest continuous tick surveillance program in North America,” said Teel. The commission’s aim was to protect livestock from dangerous diseases such as cattle fever.

The resulting state and federal cattle fever tick eradication program eliminated these ticks from 14 states by the 1940s. The program established a permanent quarantine zone along the Texas-Mexico border and has protected the U.S. cattle industry ever since. Statewide tick surveillance activities continue today.

“Today, the data from this program are becoming valuable and complimentary to public health needs,” Teel said. “Collaborations are growing in Texas to share information, improve surveillance and testing, train a new generation of vector biologists, and improve best practices for tick control and tick-borne disease prevention.”

One such collaboration is the Western Gulf Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, where AgriLife is a partner. Other collaborators include academic institutions and public health and animal health agencies in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Led by the University of Texas Medical Branch, the center performs research to expand surveillance for ticks and tick-borne pathogens. The center also trains future scientists and public health practitioners.

Highlights from the nationwide survey of tick-management programs

Less than half of tick-management programs proactively collect ticks in their area

About two-thirds of respondents, 65%, said their programs engage in passive tick surveillance, such as accepting tick samples submitted by the public. However, only 46% said their programs engage in routine active tick surveillance, such as focused collection of tick samples within their community.

Only a quarter of tick-management programs test ticks for disease-causing germs

Survey respondents from Texas are among the 26% nationwide who said their jurisdiction conducts or financially supports testing of tick samples for disease-causing pathogens. Only 7% of respondents nationwide said their programs work to detect such pathogens in animal hosts, such as mice, that can pass the pathogens to ticks in their area.

“Pathogen testing is an essential component of surveillance and is needed in order to understand tick-borne disease risk to communities,” said Mader. “There appears to be a significant barrier for many tick-surveillance programs across the country to access pathogen-testing services.”

Capacity for public tick-control efforts is low

Texas provides financial support for tick control. Yet nationwide, only 12% of respondents said their jurisdiction conducts or financially supports tick control. Those efforts primarily focused on reducing tick presence on animal hosts such as deer and rodents.

Mader said limited resources mean tick-management programs need reliable, proven control methods.

“They are not going to invest in a strategy unless it has been investigated and shown to make a difference in reducing the burden of ticks and tickborne diseases,” she said. “Right now, supporting this research is a major need. These kinds of evaluations often take at least three years to complete and require a significant investment.”

Tick surveillance and control happen in a range of sectors

The most common employment sectors among respondents was public health, mosquito control, cooperative extension and agriculture. More than half of respondents, 57%, said their programs work with academic partners such as Texas A&M AgriLife to conduct tick surveillance.

Info and data sharing on ticks and public health is lagging

Less than a quarter of respondents, 23%, said their tick-management programs disseminate information to local health departments. Just 14% report data to the CDC.

Greater support for tick-management programs is critical. Respondents commonly cited the need for stable funding, training for personnel, and standardized, research-based guidance and protocols.

Recent national efforts begin to improve the tick situation

In December 2019, the Kay Hagan Tick Act authorized $150 million to strengthen the nation’s efforts on vector-borne disease. The act included funding the CDC’s Vector-Borne Disease Regional Centers of Excellence for an additional five years, through 2026. In the past two years, the CDC also issued guidance on the best practices for surveillance of several tick species.

These steps address several needs that survey responders had highlighted. The authors said the survey will serve as an important baseline from which to measure

Grad Students Receive CIRTL Certificates for Teaching

June 11, 2020 by Rob Williams

Collage of students that received CIRTL awards. — 2020 CIRTL certificate recipients. Top row (from left to right): Caixing Xiong, Dayvion Adams, Leah Buchman, and Ashley Tessnow.
Bottom row: Jeffrey Yung, Casey Flint, and Zachary Popkin-Hall

Congratulations to seven of the Department’s Ph.D. students as they received certificates from the Texas A&M Center of Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning this summer.

Jeffrey Yung and Dayvion Adams received CIRTL’s Academy of Future Faculty certificate. Some of the activities they did included engaging in a semester-long learning community either in the fall or spring, participating in weekly professional development workshops about college teaching, observe faculty teaching classes, as well as adding to their teaching portfolios.

Leah Buchman, Zachary Popkin-Hall and Ashley Tessnow were also named Graduate Teaching Consultants. Under supervision of the Center of Teaching Excellence, these students will serve as peer mentors to teaching assistants across campus and are available to conduct classroom observations upon request.

Casey Flint, Zachary Popkin-Hall, and Caixing Xiong received Massive Open Online Course and Local Learning Community certificates. Participants in the learning community learned several key learning principles such as the role of mental models in learning and the importance of feedback and practice, the fundamental course design elements, and teaching strategies for fostering active learning and inclusive classroom environments.