SMIRC'ers

Dr. Paul J. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Curator of Severin-McDaniel Insect Research Collection   

Ph.D., 1992, University of Wisconsin, Madison
M.S., 1987, University of Idaho, Moscow
B.S., 1982, Oregon State University, Corvallis
Research: Insect Natural History (Systematics, Biogeography & Ecology of Elateridae, Throscidae, and Byrrhidae [Coleoptera]).
 

Current and Former Graduate Students -

Ms. Nicomas Dollar

M.S. 2008, Department of Plant Science;
B.S., 1999, University of Hawaii-Hilo;
Research: Fauna and Ecology of Native Ground Nesting Bees in South Dakota (Hymenoptera)

Mr. Chris Noble

M.S. 2006, Department of Plant Science;
B.S., 1999, South Dakota State University;
Research: Effects of No-Till Cultivation on Soil Arthropods in North-Central South Dakota 

Ms. Xinjie Lin

M.S., Entomology, 1997, South Dakota State University, Department of Plant Science;
B.S., 1994, Beijing Agricultural University;
Research: Taxonomy of North American Aeolus Eschscholtz (Elateridae).

Ms. Courtenay Harris

M.S., 1996, South Dakota State University, Department of Plant Science;
B.S., 1994, University of Delaware;
Research: Terrestrial Arthropods of Anthropogenic Grasslands. 

Mrs. K. Dawn Roush

M.S., Wildlife, 1997, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries;
B.S., 1995, Ball State University;
Research: Biodiversity of Created and Natural Prairie Pothole Wetlands.

Research Associates -

Mr. Gary Marrone

Department of Game, Fish & Parks, Pierre, SD 57501;
B.S., 1964, South Dakota State University;
Research & Interests: Natural history of butterflies.  Author of The Butterflies of South Dakota."  The bulk of his collection of South Dakota butterflies was donated to the SMIRC.

Mr. Doug Backlund

Department of Game, Fish & Parks, Pierre, SD 57501;
B.S., 1991, Black Hills State University;
Research & Interests: Inventory and conservation; South Dakota Natural Heritage Database manager.
Dr. Arvid Boe 
Honorary Entomologist [alter ego: grass & native plants agronomist/breeder]
Department of Plant Science
South Dakota State University

















 

Current Student Employees -

 

Ms. Chinatsu Kojima

Majors: Biology and Environmental Science, South Dakota State University;
Responsibilies: Sorting malaise and pan trap samples from native prairie.
 

Mr. Emil Gilmanov

Major: Art and Computer Science, South Dakota State University;
Responsibilies: Webpage design and editing.

 

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

 
The Collection currently contains ca. 1.2 million specimens of insects and related arthropods. The bulk of the collections in the SMIRC represent the insect fauna of South Dakota. Collections of exceptional note are those of grasshoppers and crickets from throughout the world, leafhoppers from Alaska and the Yukon Territory, and plant parasitic wasps from Great Plains legumes and grasses. These collections are of special importance because of their relative completeness with regard to their representation of the South Dakota and Northern Plains fauna. Special collections include the Truman Collection representing the New World butterfly fauna, and the Trautman Collection of insects from the Russell Islands, Solomon Islands.
Research topics currently addressed by SMIRC faculty, students, and affiliates include: