JERRY COOK

Associate Research Scientist

Department of Entomology

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2475

(409) 845-5855

Dr. Jerry L. Cook is an Associate Research Scientist, associated with the labs of Dr. Brad Vinson and Dr. Roger Gold. Jerry has a B.S. degree in Geology and M.S. degree in Biology from the University of Southern Colorado, and a Ph. D. in Entomology form Texas A&M University. Jerry’s dissertation project dealt with the biological relationship of a strepsipteran, Caenocholax fenyesi, and its fire ant host, Solenopsis invicta. Jerry continues to work on this association, and on the possibility of using C. fenyesi in a biological control program of S. invicta. Jerry has an interest in Strepsiptera taxonomy and systematics. Another project, with Dr. Tami Cook, deals with microsporidian pathogens of ants. This project is currently looking at microsporidians that are pathogens of both imported and native fire ants. This pathogen may have potential as a management tool for fire ants. Another ongoing project, with Jim Martin, is studying the leaf-litter inhabiting ants of the Big Thicket, Texas. This study started in 1997 and is focusing on leaf-litter ant community structure and ecology. The final research interest of Dr. Cook is in the taxonomy and systematics of ants. In this regard, Jerry is currently working on a revision of the Solenopsis fire ants, with the description of a new native U.S. species. The following is a list of recent publications that are in progress or published:

Cook, J. L. A new species of Stichotrema (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae) from Panama, with a key for new world males of the genus. in preparation.
Cook, J. L. Review of North American Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis) and the description of a new native species. in preparation.
Turner, C. R. and J. L. Cook. 1998. The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Caddo Lake region of northern Texas. The Texas Journal of Science, 50(2): 171-173.
Cook, J. L., S. B. Vinson, and R. E. Gold. 1998. Developmental stages of Caenocholax fenyesi Pierce (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae): Descriptions and significance to the higher taxonomy of Strepsiptera. International Journal of Insect Morphology and Embryology, 27(1): 21-26.
Cook, J. L., J. S. Johnston, S. B. Vinson, and R. E. Gold. 1997. Distribution of Caenocholax fenyesi (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae) and the habitats most likely to contain its stylopized host, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Environmental Entomology, 26(6): 1258-1262.
Cook, J. L. and B. Mathison. 1997. A new Xenos species (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae), parasitizing Polistes comanchus navajo (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from Arizona. Entomological News, 108(4): 245-252.
Cook, J. L. and B. M. Drees. 1998. Developing a community-wide red imported fire ant management program: selecting a strategy and contracting a commercial pest control service. Fire Ant Management Fact Sheet #001.
Cook, J. L., B. M. Drees, M. E. Merchant, and R. E. Gold. 1998. Community pest control operator involvement in community-wide fire ant management programs. Fire Ant Management Fact Sheet #002.
Cook, J. L. and B. M. Drees. 1998. Texas Pest ant identification: an illustrated key. Fire Ant Management Fact Sheet #010.

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Last modified Dec 7, 1998
Maintained by Jerry Cook