Department History
Entomology was among the first subjects taught at the University of Maryland. With a rich history spanning over 100 years, the Department of Entomology continues to thrive and grow.
As the department formed in 1897-1898, research and regulatory applications were directed at pests such as the San Jose scale. Entomologists at the University of Maryland continue to provide research, teaching, and extension on applied aspects of entomology, but our interests have expanded to include fundamental issues of arthropod biology from the molecular to the ecosystem level.
Timeline
1860 - Renowned entomologist, Townend Glover, became one of the first five faculty members. As the first federal entomologist, his title was "Entomologist for the United States, Professor of Natural History, Botany and Pomology."
1897 - The Department of Entomology and Zoology was created at the Maryland Agricultural College.
1914 - The Agricultural Extension Service was formed and headed by Thomas Symons.
1919 - Entomology and Zoology became two separate departments: Entomology in the School of Agriculture and Zoology in the School of Arts & Sciences.
1920 - Entomology major Elizabeth Hook became the first woman to earn a degree for four years of study at Maryland State College.
1958 - The Insect Physiology Lab was established.
1972 - The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program was formed as a pilot program.
1978 - The IPM program moved out of the pilot phase and was self-supporting. Urban IPM programs began to develop.
1979 - The Plant Diagnostic Lab was established.
1993 - The College of Life Sciences was formed with four departments: Zoology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, and Entomology.
2002 - Professor Emerita Earlene Armstrong established the insect-themed summer camp, Bug Camp: Insects, Science & Society.
2010 - The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences was formed from the College of Chemical and Life Sciences and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences.
2018 – Entomology began offering a Master of Professional Studies degree in Applied Entomology (MPAE) through the Office of Extended Studies.
2021 – The department began offering an undergraduate minor in entomology.
2023 – The Insect Zoo expanded into its own exhibit space in the Plant Sciences Building.