Charles Valentine Riley: Founder of Modern Entomology

Charles Valentine Riley, a British immigrant to America, played a key role in the reorientation of entomology from a collector's parlor hobby to a scientific study of insects. He discovered the Rocky Mountain Locust, Grape Phylloxera, Cotton Worm, and Cottony Cushion Scale, and defeated the latter through importation of the Vedalia Beetle from Australia. Riley combined scientific, literary, artistic, and managerial skills to influence every aspect of entomology, including pest control, silk industry, spray technologies, and applied entomology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 554 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2019
Publisher: The University of Alabama Press

Charles Valentine Riley, a British immigrant to America, played a pivotal role in the reorientation of entomology from a collector's parlor hobby to a serious study of insects in the Modern Age. This definitive biography, the first full account of Riley's life, explores his remarkable journey from a humble beginning to becoming a leading scientist.

Riley's education was limited, with classical schooling and a smattering of natural history knowledge. However, his talent in art and writing, along with his unwavering passion for science, set him apart. Despite lacking formal training, Riley embarked on a remarkable career that revolutionized the field of entomology.

In his early years, Riley worked as a farm laborer and a Chicago journalist, gaining valuable experience and insights into the lives of ordinary people. His interest in insects began to grow, and he started collecting specimens, which he meticulously arranged and studied. However, he soon realized that the traditional approach to entomology, focused solely on collecting and arranging specimens, was insufficient to fully understand the complex world of insects.

Riley's vision was to transform entomology into a scientific discipline that recognized the essential role of insects in natural systems and their challenge to the agricultural food supply that sustains humankind. He believed that understanding insects was crucial for developing effective pest management strategies and promoting sustainable agriculture.

With this vision in mind, Riley embarked on a series of groundbreaking campaigns against various insect pests that threatened crops and ecosystems. He fought against the Rocky Mountain Locust, which stalled western migration in the 1870s, the Grape Phylloxera, which threatened French vineyards in the 1870s and 80s, the Cotton Worm, which devastated southern cotton fields after the Civil War, and the Cottony Cushion Scale, which threatened the California citrus industry in the 1880s.

Riley's campaigns against these pests were remarkable for their success. He used innovative techniques, such as biological control, to combat these invaders, which were the first examples of their kind. He also collaborated with other scientists and farmers to develop sustainable pest management strategies that minimized the use of harmful pesticides.

Riley's contributions to entomology were significant, and his legacy continues to inspire scientists and researchers today. His vision of a scientific approach to insect evolution, diversity, ecology, and applied management of insect pests has become the foundation of modern entomology.

In conclusion, Charles Valentine Riley's life and career are a testament to the power of passion, determination, and collaboration in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. His leadership in entomology created a modern science that recognizes the importance of insects in natural systems and their challenge to the agricultural food supply. Riley's campaigns against insect pests were groundbreaking, and his legacy continues to inspire scientists and researchers to develop innovative solutions to the world's most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges.

Weight: 1796g
Dimension: 251 x 183 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780817320096