• Home
•  »  Research
•  » Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center

Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center

The Center was founded in 1964 as the West Florida Arthropod Research Laboratory (WFARL) for the primary purpose of developing control strategies for a pestiferous biting fly known locally as the dog fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. WFARL specialized in applied research on chemical control of mosquitoes and other public health arthropods. In 1992 the Center was transferred from the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services to Florida A&M University and renamed the John A. Mulrennan Sr., Public Health Entomology Research & Education Center (PHEREC).

The mission of the PHEREC is to perform basic and applied research to develop and test formulations, pesticide application techniques, and biological/alternative control agents for the control of arthropods and, in particular, biting arthropods of public health importance. The Center is mandated to provide special attention to the needs of mosquito control districts and municipalities of the State of Florida by providing training, information, assistance and recommendations for the safe and effective control of arthropods of public health importance. The Center is also charged with conducting environmental impact studies to determine the effects of arthropod control pesticides, with special emphasis on integrated pest management. The Center serves as a resource for training students, as well as state and local government personnel in the safe and effective control of public health arthropods.

Current Program Areas:
PHEREC's capability is focused on the following program areas:

• Efficacy testing of chemical, microbial and biochemical insecticides
• Application equipment evaluation
• Development and standardization of assessment actions for application efficacy
• Insecticidal drift and residue analysis
• Non-target impact and mitigation studies
• Discovery and genetic enhancement of microbial insecticides
• Mosquito and arboviral surveillance, ecology and control
• Development and evaluation of arthropod trapping systems
• Repellent dose range, efficacy and duration testing
• Attractant development and evaluation
• Assessment of residual surface and misting system technology
• Technical service provision (e.g., mosquito surveillance, equipment calibration, arthropod identifications, biological and control information)
• Public outreach (e.g., tours, presentations, internships, extension publications)
• Continuing education training for environmental health and public health pesticide applicators

Faculty and Staff

• John P. Smith, Ph.D., Director
• Jane A. Barber, Ph.D.
• James E. Cilek, Ph.D.
• Thomas Floore
• Hyun-Woo Park, Ph.D.
• John L. Petersen, Ph.D.
• He "Harry" Zhong, Ph.D.

Links

The PHEREC Home Page
This website provides more in-depth coverage of the Center including archived newsletters, brochure, photos, annual report, strategic plan, and extension publications, as well as updates on current research and training activities, job openings and publications.

Publications

2007

Barber, J. A. S., Mike Greer and Jamie Coughlin. 2007. Field tests of malathion and permethrin applied via a truck-mounted cold fogger to both open and vegetated habitats. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.23:55-59.

2006

Floore, T. G., J. L. Petersen and K. R. Shaffer. 2006. Efficacy studies of Aquprene ™ (emulsifiable concentrate and wettable powder) insect growth regulator formulations against third- and forh-stage larvae of Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus in small-plot field sudies. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.22:119-122.

Smith, J. P., Jimmy D. Walsh, Eric H. Cope, Richard A. Tennant, Jr., John A. Kozak III and Richard F. Darsie, Jr. 2006. Culex coronator Dyar and Knab: a new Florida species record. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.22:330-332.

Barber, J. A. S., Mike Greer and Jamie Coughlin. 2006. The effect of pesticide residue on caged mosquito bioassays. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.22:469-472.

Floore, T. G. 2006. Mosquito larval control practices: past and present. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.22:527-533.

Cilek, J. E. and C. F. Hallmon. 2006. Residual effectiveness of pyrethroid-treated foliage against adult Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus in screened field cages. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.22:725-731.

2005

Cilek, J. E. and C. F. Hallmon. 2005. The effectiveness of the Mosquito Magnet® trap for reducing biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopognidae) populations in coastal residential backyards. J Am.Mosq. Control Assoc. 21:218-221.

Yan, Z-C and H Zhong. 2005. Comparison of adult mosquito community structure on various habitats. Insect Science 12:193-197.

2004

Dukes, J., H. Zhong, M. Greer, P. Hester, D. Hogan and J.A.S. Barber. 2004. A comparison of two spray nozzle systems used to aerially apply the Ultra-Low-Volume adulticide Fenthion. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.20:27-35.

Dukes, J., H. Zhong, M. Greer, P. Hester, D. Hogan and J.A.S. Barber. 2004. A comparison of two Ultra-Low-Volume spray nozzles by using a multiple swath scenario for the aerial application of Fenthion against adult mosquitoes. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.20:36-44.

Petersen, J. L., T. G. Floore and W.G. Brogdon. 2004. Diagnostic dose of synergized d-phenothrin for insecticide susceptibility testing by bottle bioassay. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.20:183-188.

Cilek, J. E., J. L. Petersen and C. F. Hallmon. 2004. Comparative efficacy of IR3535 and DEET as repellents against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.20:299-304.

Cilek, J. E. and J. F. Schaediger. 2004. Regional occurrence of a severe infestation of Simulium slossonae (Diptera:Simuliidae) associated with an El Nino event in Florida. Fla Entomol. 87:169-172.

Soumare, M.K.F., J.E. Cilek and E.T. Schreiber. 2004. Prey and size prefeerence of Mesoclclops longisetus (Copepoda) for Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 20: 305-310.

Zhong, HE, M. Latham, S. Payne and C. Brock. 2004. Minimizing the impact of the mosquito adulticide Naled on honey bees, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Aerial ultra-low-volume application using a high-pressure nozzle system. J. Econ. Entomol. 97:1-7.

Floore, T. G., J. L. Petersen and K. R. Shaffer. 2004. Efficacy studies of Vectobac 12AS and Teknar HP-D larvicides against 3rd instar Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus and Culex quinquefasciatus in small plot field studies. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc.20:429-433.

2003

Cilek, J.E., D.L. Kline and C.F. Hallmon. 2003. Evaluation of a novel removal trap system to reduce biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) populations in Florida backyards. J. Vector Ecology 28(1): 23-30.

Zhong, H., J. Dukes, M. Greer, P. Hester, M. Shirley, and B. Anderson. 2003. Ground deposition impact of aerially applied fenthion on the fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator. J. Am. Mosq. Association, 19(1): 47-52.

Zhong, H., M. Latham, P.G. Hester, R.L. Frommer, and C. Brock. 2003. Impact of naled on honey bee Apis mellifera L. survival and productivity: Aerial ULV application using a flat-fan nozzle system. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 45: 216-220.

Barber, J.A.S. and C.S. Parkin. 2003. Fluorescent tracer technique for measuring the quantity of pesticide deposited to soil following spray applications. Crop Protection 22: 15-21.

Barber, J.A.S., C.S. Parkin, and A.B.M.N.U. Chowdhury. 2003. Effect of application method on the control of powdery mildew (Bulmeria graminis) on spring barley. Crop Protection 22: 949-957.

2002

Cilek, J.E. 2002. Attractiveness of beach ball decoys to adult Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae). J. Med. Entomol. 39(1): 127-129.

Floore, T. G., J.P. Smith, K.R. Shaffer and E.T. Schreiber. 2002. Laboratory bioassay to determine methoprene susceptibility in a natural population of Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus from the Florida Keys. J. Am. Mosq. Association, 18(2):111-113.

Cilek, J.E. and D.L. Kline. 2002. Adult biting midge response to trap type, carbon dioxide, and an octenol-phenol mixture in northwestern Florida. J. Am. Mosq. Control Association, 18(3): 228-231.

Petersen, J.L. 2002. International Entomology: Resistance Workshop in the Republic of Panama. Wing Beats, 13(2): 4-5,37.

Floore, T.G., K. Rolen, G. Medrano and F. Jones. 2002. Operational studies with Valent Vectolex WDG, Bacillus sphaericus, in three Florida mosquito control districts. J. Am. Mosq. Cont. Association, 18(4): 344-347.

Floore, T. G. 2002. Mosquito larval control insecticides labeled for aerial and ground application methods in Florida. Wing Beats, 13(2): 8-18,20,22,38.

2001

Smith, J.P. and T.G. Floore. 2001. New mosquito collection records for Southern Georgia. J. Entomol. Sci. 36(2): 114-121.

Dukes, J., H. Zhong, M. Greer, P. Hester, and D. Hogan. 2001. Downwind movement and deposit of insecticides applied by fixed wing aircraft for adult mosquito control. Wing Beats, 12(1): 18-25.

Hester, P.G., K.R. Shaffer, N.S. Tietze, H. Zhong and N. Griggs. 2001. Efficacy of ground-applied Ultra-Low-Volume malathion on honey bee survival and productivity in open and forest areas. J. Am. Mosq. Control Association, 17(1): 2-7.

Floore, T.G. and J.L. Petersen. 2001. West Nile Virus – An explosion of Web sites. Wing Beats, 12(1): 30.

Zhong, H. and M. Latham. 2001. Development and validation of a rapid analytical method to quantify naled residue. J. Am. Mosq. Association, 17(4): 225-230.

2000

Cilek, J.E. and G. Medrano. 2000. Public perception of a trap to locally reduce yellow fly (Diptera: Tabanidae) nuisance in residential areas of Northeastern Florida. Florida Entomologist, 83(1): 26-30.

Cilek, J.E. and M.A. Olson. 2000. Seasonal distribution and abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Northwestern Florida. J. Med. Entomol. 37 (3): 439-444.

Petersen, J.L. 2000. Chemline: Mosquito Repellents. Wing Beats, 11(4): 11-13.

Durden, L.A., R. Hu, J.H. Oliver, and J.E. Cilek. 2000. Rodent ectoparasites from two locations in northwestern Florida. J. of Vector Ecology. 25(2): 222-228.