J. Victor French

Professor and Research Entomologist, Citrus Center, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Weslaco, TX 78599

Email: jv-frenchtamu.edu
Phone: 956-968-2132
Fax: 956-969-0649

Dr. French is an Adjunct Member of the Graduate Faculty of TAMU. He can serve as a Co-chair or Member on Graduate Student Advising Committees of TAMU students, including the Cooperative Ph.D. in Horticulture between TAMU and TAMUK.

Dr. J. Victor French received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Entomology and Plant Pathology from Colorado State University in 1960 and 1962. Victor worked as a Research Technician in the Departments of Entomology and Plant Virology, University of California, Riverside from 1962 to 1969. He received his Ph.D. in Entomology with minors in Plant Pathology and Virology from Michigan State University in 1973. He became an Assistant Professor and Citrus Research Entomologist at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco in 1973.

Dr. French's research focuses on biology, ecology, and control of arthropods affecting citrus in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. He deals with both traditional and newly introduced insect and mite pests of economic importance with emphasis on: species identification, population dynamics, fruit and foliar damage and development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies including use of biorational pesticides and exotic and indigenous beneficial parasitoids and predators.

"While graduate students definitely need guidance and supervision, they must have ample opportunity to help develop their own program including selection of academic courses and research projects. Lest we forget --- A student's creativity and ingenuity are fostered not only by his or her interest in the subject, but also by the knowledge and teaching abilities of the educator or research leader."

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

French, J.V., and J. Legaspi, S. Villarreal, and R. Saldana. 1998. Management of citrus leafminer in Texas: including chemical options. Subtrop. Plant Sci. J. 49 (in press).

Legaspi, J., and J.V. French, M. Schauff, and J. Woolley. 1998. Citrus leafminer in South Texas: incidence and parasitism. Fl. Ent. 24 (in press).

French, J.V., and P.H. Bruno. 1997. Evaluation of BAS 300 1 11 (pyridaben) for mite control on Texas citrus. Subtrop. Plant Sci. J. 48:10-15.

French, J.V., and B.M. Jackson. 1997. Aphid control in pecans. Arthropod Management 22:7677.

Legaspi, J., and J.V. French. 1996. The citrus leafminer and its natural enemies. TX A&M Circ. B96-1, 6p.