Tom Atkinson
Collection Manager, University of Texas Insect Collection
My main taxonomic collection is housed at Texas A&M University and I continue to add to it. I also work closely with the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (Gainesville) and with the Centro de Entomología y Acarología of the Colegio de Postgraduados (Montecillo, Mexico) where I have long standing relationships.
Cactopinus atkinsoni
Contact
Research Summary
I am mainly interested in biogeography and comparative biology of Neotropical bark and ambrosia beetles. In practice I spend most of my efforts on the Mexican fauna. Considering the lack of information for the region I find that I am spending a lot more time on alpha-taxonomy and databasing than I had originally intended. I am particularly interested in host plant associations and how different groups have colonized different plant lineages.
Current projects
- Barkbeetles.info. This is my website (http://www.barkbeetles.info). I am constantly adding to it and fiddling with it, but the main features are interactive checklists of Mexico, the southeastern U.S., and an image library (2,000 photos and line drawings of 600 species). There are also some useful bibliographical features (Wood’s 1982 monograph and the Wood & Bright Catalog (1992) in indexed, interactive format). A full listing for North America (see next item) is coming soon.
- Electronic Atlas and Catalog of the Bark and Ambrosia Beetles of North America. When finished this will include all published distribution and host information for all species of Scolytinae and Platypodinae from North America, including Mexico. The U.S. and Canada portions should be finished by mid summer of 2012, Photographs and line drawings for many species are included. This work has been partially supported by the U.S. Forest Service.
- Bark and Ambrosia Beetles of the Southeastern U.S. This project has been dragging on for far too long and I hope to have it finished in about a year. At present there are about 200 species treated. There are some new species, synonymies and species notes that will probably be published
- Checklist of the Bark and Ambrosia Beetles of Texas and Oklahoma (with Ed Riley). We hope to have a draft of this in about 2 months. At present we have 174 species. Interesting biogeographical patterns with mixtures of faunas of the southeastern U.S., southern Rocky Mountains, and Mexican dry subtropical elements.
- New species and notes on Neotropical Scolytus with a key to Mesoamerican species. Two new species, 2 synonymies, some redescriptions and lots of pictures. Draft expected June 2012.
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Short Bio & Education
I was born and raised in southern Florida on the edge of the swamps. Since leaving home I have moved on to higher education and higher ground where I have remained ever since. The relentless fauna of subtropical Florida probably had something to do with my early and enduring interest in insects. As a result of 4H clubs I realized that one could actually get paid to do this and have never looked back. I received a B.S. (1972), M.S. (1976) and Ph.D. (1979) from the University of Florida, all in Entomology.
Over the years I have worked in a variety of academic and industrial settings in the U.S. and Latin America in forest entomology, urban pest management, stored products protection. (Florida, Panama, Mexico, California, Texas). My abiding interest during most of that time has been the biology and systematics of bark and ambrosia beetles.
1994-2007. Dow AgroSciences, Senior Research Biologist (Dallas, Austin, Texas).
1990-1994. University of California, Riverside, Asst. Entomologist / Asst. Specialist, Dept. of Entomology.
1987-1990. University of Florida, Dept. of Entomology & Nematology, Biological Scientist.
1984-1986. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Chamela Biological Research Station, Investigador Asociado, Chamela, Jalisco.
1979-1984 Colegio de Postgraduados, Centro de Entomología y Acarología, Profesor-investigador Adjunto, Chapingo, México
1979. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. , Ph. D. in Entomology
1976. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. , M.S. in Entomology
1973-1974. Chirqui Land Co. (United Fruit Co.), Entomologist, Changuinola, Panama
1972. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. B.S. in Agriculture
Publications
Book Chapters
1. Lott, E. J. & T. H. Atkinson. 2010. Diversidad florística y endemismo en las selvas secas de la vertiente Pacífico de México. Pages 63-76 In Ceballos, G., E. Espinoza, J. Bezaury y A. Garcia, eds. Diversidad, amenazas y areas Prioritarias para la conservación de las selvas secas del Pacífico de México. Fonda Económica de Cultura. México, D. F..
2. Lott, E.J. and T.H. Atkinson. 2006. Mexican and Central American Seasonally dry tropical forests; Chamela-Cuixmala, Jalisco, as a Focal Point for Comparison. In: R. T. Pennington, G. P. Lewis, and J. A. Ratter, Eds. Neotropical savannas and dry forests. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, p. 315-342.
3. Lott, E.J. and T.H. Atkinson. 2002. Biodiversidad y Fitogeografia de Chamela-Cuixmala, Jalisco [Biodiversity and Phytogeography of Chamela-Cuixmala, Jalisco]. In: Noguera M., F.A., R. Ayala & J. Medina , Eds. Historia Natural de Chamela. Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
4. Atkinson, T.H. 2000. Cockroaches. Pp. 57-69. In: R.E. Gold & S.C. Jones, Eds. Handbook of Household and Structural Pests. Entomol. Soc. America, Lanham, Maryland.
Research Publications
1. Atkinson, T.H. 2010. New species and records of Cactopinus Schwarz with a key to species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). ZooKeys 56:13-33.
2. Atkinson, T.H.; A.I. Cognato & R.J. Rabaglia. 2010. Two newly detected bark and ambrosia beetles from southern Florida (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Zootaxa 2338: 63-68
3. Atkinson, T.H. 2009. A new species of Dryocoetoides Hopkins from southern Florida (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Zootaxa 2311: 66-68.
4. Atkinson, T.H., J.E. King & A. J. Griffin. 2004. Fast Green, a non-persistent dye marker for use in studying field populations of subterranean termites. Sociobiology 43(2). 269-277..
5. Atkinson, T.H., A. J. Griffin & J.E. King. 2004. Laboratory and Field Studies of a Purple Dye Marker for Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology 43(2). 259-268.
6. Atkinson, T.H. 2000. Use of dyed matrix in bait stations for determining foraging territories of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae: Reticulitermes spp. and Termitidae: Amitermes wheeleri). Sociobiology 36 (1) 149-167.
7. Atkinson, T.H. & S.J. Peck. 1994. Annotated checklist of the bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae) of tropical southern Florida. Fla. Entomol. 77: 313-329.
8. Atkinson, T.H. 1993. A new species of Pityophthorus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) from southern Florida with a key to the Florida species. Fla. Entomol. 76: 608-615.
9. Atkinson, T.H. 1993. Synopsis of the genus Trischidias Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in the southeastern United States with a description of a new species from Florida. Fla. Entomol. 76: 416-422.
10. Atkinson, T.H. 1993. Rediscovery of 2 neotropical bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) from southern Florida. Coleopterists Bull. 47 (2): 287-288.
11. Atkinson, T.H., M.K. Rust, J.L. Smith. 1993. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), established in California. Pan-Pacific Entomol. 69: 33-35.
12. Deyrup, M.A. and T.H. Atkinson. 1993. Survey of evaniid wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) and their cockroach hosts in a natural Florida habitat. Fla. Entomol. 76: 589-593.
13. Muskus Arrieta, R.A. & T.H. Atkinson. 1992. Anatomia externa de larvas de escarabajos descortezadores (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) y su utilidad en la taxonomia. Agrociéncia ser. Proteccion Vegetal 3: 47-80.
14. Atkinson, T.H., P.G. Koehler and R.S. Patterson. 1992. Volatile effects of insect growth regulators against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). J. Med. Entomol. 29: 364-367.
15. Atkinson, T.H., J.R. Mangold and P.G. Koehler. 1992. Two Neotropical cockroaches of the genus Ischnoptera (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) established in Florida. Fla. Entomol. 75: 109-114.
16. Koehler, P.G., T.H. Atkinson, and R.S. Patterson. 1991. Toxicity of abamectin to cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae, Blattidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 1758-1762.
17. Atkinson, T.H., P.G. Koehler, & R.S. Patterson. 1991. Atlas and catalog of the cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattaria) of North America north of Mexico. Misc. Publ. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 78.
18. Atkinson, T.H., P.G. Koehler and R.S. Patterson. 1991. Pyrethroid resistance and synergism in a field strain of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 84(4): 1247-1250.
19. Atkinson, T.H., P.G. Koehler, & R.S. Patterson. 1991. Reproduction and development of the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai, (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 84(4): 1251-1256.
20. Atkinson, T.H., R.J. Rabaglia, S.J. Peck, & J.L. Foltz. 1991. New records of Scolytidae and Platypodidae from the U.S. and Bahamas. Coleopterists Bull. 45(2): 152-164.
21. Atkinson, T.H., P.G. Koehler, & R.S. Patterson. 1990. Checklist of the cockroaches of Florida (Dictyoptera: Blattaria: Blattidae, Polyphagidae, Blattellidae, Blaberidae). Fla. Entomol. 73:303-327.
22. Atkinson, T.H., R.J. Rabaglia, & D.E. Bright. 1990. Newly detected exotic species of Xyleborus (Scolytidae) in eastern North America, with a revised key to species. Can. Ent. 122:93-104.
23. Noguera M., F. A. & T. H. Atkinson. 1990. Biogeography and biology of bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae) in a mesic montane forest in Mexico with an annotated checklist of species. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 83:453-466.
24. Atkinson, T.H. 1989. New synonymy, new species, and notes on Scolytidae (Coleoptera) from southeastern United States. Coleopterists Bull. 43:325-337.
25. Phillips, T.W., T.H. Atkinson, & J.L. Foltz. 1989. Pheromone based aggregation in Orthotomicus caelatus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Can. Ent. 121:933-940.
26. Estrada V., A. & T. H. Atkinson. 1989. Scolytidae y Platypodidae de Escárcega, Campeche, México. Biogeografía, biología, importancia económica y una lista de especies [Scolytidae and Platypodidae of Escarcega, Campeche, Mexico. Biogeography, biology, economic importance and a list of species]. An. Inst. Biol. Zool., Mexico 58:199-220.
27. Atkinson, T.H. 1989. New species and notes on Mexican Hylesininae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Insecta Mundi 3(1):57-64.
28. Westcott, R. L., T. H. Atkinson, H. A. Hespenheide, & G. H. Nelson. 1989. New country and state records and other notes for Mexican Buprestidae (Coleoptera). Insecta Mundi 3(3):217-232.
29. Atkinson, T. H. & A. Equihua M. 1988. Notas sobre biología y distribución de Scolytidae y Platypodidae de México y Centroamérica [Notes on biology and distribution of Scolytidae and Platypodidae from Mexico and Central America]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 76:83-105.
30. Atkinson, T. H., J. L. Foltz, & M. D. Connor. 1988. Bionomics of Pissodes nemorensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in north Florida. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 81:255-261.
31. Atkinson, T. H., J. L. Foltz, & M. D. Connor. 1988. Seasonal and vertical flight patterns of phloem- and wood-boring Coleoptera (Scolytidae, Platypodidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae) in a slash pine plantation in northern Florida. Environ. Entomol. 17:259-265.
32. Phillips, T. W., A. J. Wilkening, T. H. Atkinson, J. L. Nation, R. C. Wilkinson, & J. L. Foltz. 1988. Interactions between turpentine and ethanol as attractants for certain forest Coleoptera. Environ. Entomol. 17:459-462.
33. Equihua M., A. & T.H. Atkinson. 1987. Catálogo de Platypodidae (Coleoptera) de norte y centroamérica. [Catalog of the Platypodidae of North and Central America]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 72:5-31.
34. Deyrup, M. A. & T. H. Atkinson. 1987. Comparative biology of temperate and subtropical bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae) from Indiana and Florida. Great Lakes Entomol. 20:59-66.
35. Deyrup, M. A. & T. H. Atkinson. 1987. New records of Scolytidae (Coleoptera) from Indiana and Florida. Great Lakes Entomol. 20:67-68.
36. Furniss, M. M., J. Woo, M. A. Deyrup, & T. H. Atkinson. 1987. A prothoracic mycangium on pine- infesting Pityoborus spp. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 80:692-696.
37. Romero N., J., H. Bravo M., & T. H. Atkinson. 1987. Los Epilachninae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) del estado de Morelos y su susceptibilidad a parasitismo por Pediobius foveolatus Crawford (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) [The Epilachninae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the state of Morelos and their susceptibility to parasitism by Pediobius foveolatus]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 71:37-46.
38. Atkinson, T. H. & A. Equihua M. 1986. Biology of the Scolytidae and Platypodidae (Coleoptera) in a tropical deciduous forest at Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. Florida Entomol. 69:303-310.
39. Equihua M., A. & T. H. Atkinson. 1986. Annotated checklist of the bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae) associated with tropical deciduous forest in Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. Florida Entomol. 69:619-635.
40. Atkinson, T. H. & A. Equihua M. 1986. Biology of Scolytidae and Platypodidae (Coleoptera) of a tropical rain forest in southeastern Mexico with an annotated checklist of species. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 79:414-423.
41. Atkinson, T. H., E. Saucedo C., E. Martínez F., & A. Burgos S. 1986. Coleópteros Scolytidae y Platypodidae asociados con las comunidades vegetales de clima templado y frío en el estado de Morelos [Scolytidae and Platypodidae associated with plant communities of temperate and cold climates in the state of Morelos]. Acta Zool. Mex. 17:1-58.
42. Atkinson, T. H., E. Martínez F., E. Saucedo C., & A. Burgos S. 1986. Scolytidae y Platypodidae (Coleoptera) asociados a selva baja caducifolia y comunidades derivadas en el estado de Morelos [Scolytidae and Platypodidae associated with tropical deciduous forest and derived communities in the state of Morelos]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 69:41-82.
43. Atkinson, T. H. & A. 1985. Equihua M. Notes on biology and distribution of Mexican and Central American Scolytidae (Coleoptera). I. Hylesininae, Scolytinae except Cryphalini and Corthylini. Coleopterists Bull. 39:227-238.
44. Atkinson, T. H. & A. Equihua M. 1985. Notes on biology and distribution of Mexican and Central American Scolytidae (Coleoptera). II Scolytinae: Cryphalini and Corthylini. Coleopterists Bull. 39:355-363.
45. Atkinson, T. H. & A. Equihua M. 1985. Lista comentada de los coleópteros Scolytidae y Platypodidae del Valle de México [Annotated checklist of the Scolytidae and Platypodidae of the Valley of Mexico]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 65:63-108.
46. Drummond, F., R. A. Casagrande, R. Chauvin, T. Hsaio, J. Lashomb, P. Logan, & T. H. Atkinson. 1984. Distribution and new host records of a race of Chrysomelobia labidomera Eickwort (Acari: Tarsonemina: Podolapidae) attacking the Colorado potato beetle in Mexico. Internat. J. Acarol. 10:179-180.
47. Bernal, C. R., J. Vera G., T. H. Atkinson, & J. L. Carrillo S. 1984. Biología, hábitos y longevidad de Aphidius smithii Sharma & Subba Rao, parasitoide de Acyrtosiphon pisum (Harris). [Biology, habits, and longevity of Aphidius smithii, parasitoid of Acyrtosiphon pisum]. Agrociéncia 57:145- 162.
48. Equihua M., A., T. H. Atkinson, & E. J. Lott. 1984. Scolytidae y Platypodidae (Coleoptera) de la Estación de Biología Chamela, Jalisco [Scolytidae and Platypodidae (Coleoptera) of the Chamela Biological Station, Jalisco]. Agrociéncia 57:179-193.
49. Gonzalez H., H. & T. H. Atkinson. 1984. Insectos escama (Homoptera: Coccoidea) asociados a frutales en la región central de México [Scale insects associated with fruit trees in central Mexico]. Agrociéncia 57:207-225.
50. Bustamante O., F. & T. H. Atkinson. 1984. Biología del barrenador de las ramas del peral, Corthylus fuscus Blandford (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), en el norte del estado de Morelos [Biology of the pear branch borer, Corthylus fuscus Blandford (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), in northen Morelos]. Fol. Entomol. Mex. 60:83-101.
51. Durán P., H., J. Vera G., T. H. Atkinson, & J. L. Carrillo S. 1982. Estudios ecológicos de dípteros en la región frutícola del municipio de Texcoco, México. [Ecological studies of Diptera in the fruit- growing region of Texcoco, Mexico]. Agrociéncia 45:53-87.
52. Wilkening, A. J. , J. L. Foltz, T. H. Atkinson, & M. D. Connor. 1981. An omnidirectional flight trap for ascending and descending insects. Can. Entomol. 113:453-455.
53. Atkinson, T. H. & R. C. Wilkinson. 1979. Pheromone-baited live traps for sampling southern pine beetle adult populations to estimate the incidence of selected pathogens. Florida Entomol. 62:169-175.
Books & Reviews
List of book reviews.
Invited Lectures
List of invited lectures.