| Dr. Edwin F. Cook, Professor Emeritus of Entomology, University of Minnesota, passed away on July 13th, 2006, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was 87 years old.
Dr. Cook was born on September 11th, 1918, in San Francisco, California. He attended San Mateo Jr. College in 1941 and received his B.A. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University in 1943. He remained at Stanford for both his Master’s and Doctoral degrees, obtaining his Ph.D. in 1948. At Stanford he was a student of Dr. Gordon F. Ferris, one of the leading insect morphologist of the 20th century, and founder and editor of the influential journal Microentomology. Ferris emphasized the importance of detailed morphological study of insects, especially of small insects such as lice, aphids, and scales as well as those in the lesser known insect orders. Dr. Cook’s first publications, beginning in 1943, were published in Microentomology and dealt with detailed morphological observations of the head morphology of beetles and flies. His Ph.D. study “The Evolution of the Head in the Larvae of the Diptera” (Microentomology 14: 1-57, 1949) is still regarded as the definitive reference on the homology and evolution of the cephalic structures of larval flies. In it, Dr. Cook worked out the homology of the complex mouthparts and cephalic structures across the order, from the complete, more primitive structures found in larvae of the long-horned flies (such as crane flies, mosquitoes, and midges), through the lower Brachycera (soldier flies, horse flies), to the highly modified “cephalopharyngeal skeleton” of the larvae (maggots) of higher muscoid flies. Dr. Cook continued a life-long interest in flies, with a special emphasis on the family Scatopsidae, the scavenger flies. His 1956 paper on another family, the Chaoboridae of phantom midges, is still considered the primary reference for the group and his 1981 contributions on the families Scatopsidae, Chaoboridae, and Synneuridae in the Manual of Nearctic Diptera are modern day classics. In all, Dr. Cook published 97 papers covering primarily Diptera, but also aphids, lice, beetles, bees, mites, and roaches, among other groups. His last paper appeared in 2000 as co-author on the publication of the Ph.D. thesis of his student D.E. Maschwitz on the taxonomy of midge genus Polypedilum.
Dr. Cook joined the University of Minnesota in 1949 as an Instructor and attained the rank of Professor of Entomology in 1964. He retired in 1985. While at the university he taught courses in Insect Morphology, Aquatic Entomology, Insect Taxonomy, and Entomophagous Insects, among others. He was also director of the University of Minnesota Insect Collection and helped build it into one of the most important insect collections in North America. He trained 19 Ph.D. students and 14 Master’s students at the University of Minnesota, who themselves have gone on to establish productive careers in entomology and other disciplines.
Those who knew Dr. Cook and who worked and studied with him will always remember him as a kind and gentle man. In his file in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota is a letter of recommendation for Dr Cook written by Prof. Ira L. Wiggins, Stanford University, dated July 8th, 1949, that states,
“As to his personality, I know of few people who are as even-tempered as he is, and no one who gets along with his students, and his colleagues, any better than he does. He is patient and sympathetic with his students but is by no means “soft,” for he holds them to high standards of achievement. He is thoroughly honest and completely dependable. He possesses a fine sense of humor and a sunny outlook on life. His is cooperative and never shirks his responsibilities to his students, his colleagues or to the institution employing him.”
This letter was written when Dr. Cook was 31 years old and it expresses qualities he maintained throughout his long and remarkable life.
Dr. Cook is survived by Ferne Cook, his wife of 57 years; by his sons Thomas Atkins, Matthew Cook, and Jonathan Cook; by his daughters Robin Atkins and Roxanna Cook-Sussan; by his four grandchildren Andrew Cook, Lane Cook, Margaret Cook, and Jackson Cook-Sussan; and by his children’s spouses Robert, Jennifer, Karen, Julie and Chris.
A memorial service was held on July 18, 2006 at the Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
Publications:
Cook, E. F. 1943. The head of some Coleoptera. Microentomology 8:25-40.
Cook, E. F. 1944. The morphology and musculature of the labrum and clypeus of insects. Microentomology 9:1-35.
Cook, E. F. 1944. The morphology of the larval heads of certain Culicidae (Diptera). Microentomology 9:38-68.
Cook, E. F. 1944. On the morphology of the larval head of Chironomus (Diptera: Chironomidae). Microentomology 9:69-77.
Cook, E. F. 1949. The evolution of the head in the larvae of the Diptera. Microentomology 14:1-57.
Cook, E. F. 1953. On the early stages of Neopachygaster maculicornis (Hine) and Berkshiria aldrichii (Malloch). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 46:293299.
Cook, E. F. 1953. The Trichodectid of the Hog-nosed skunk, Conopatus leuconotus Lichenstein. Entomological News 54:60-67.
Cook, E. F. 1954. A modification of Hopkin's technique for collecting ectoparasites from mammal skins. Entomological News 15:35-37.
Cook, E. F. 1954. A technique for preventing post-mortem ectoparasite contamination. Journal of Mammalogy 35:266-267.
Beer, J. R., and E. F. Cook. 1955. The louse populations of some cricetid rodents. Parasitology 45:409-420.
Cook, E. F. 1955. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part I. A revision of the genus Rhegmoclema Enderlein (=Aldrovandiella Enderlein) with particular reference to the North American species. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 48:240-251.
Cook, E. F. 1955. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part II. The genera Rhegmoclemina Enderlein, Parascatopse N.G., and a new species of Rhegmoclema. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 48:351-364.
Benschoter, C. E., and E. F. Cook. 1956. A revision of the genus Omophron (Carabidae: Coleoptera) of North America north of Mexico. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 49:411-429.
Cook, E. F. 1956. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part III. The genus Rhexoza Enderlein. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 49:1-12.
Cook, E. F. 1956. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part IV. The genus Swammerdamella Enderlein. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 49:15-29.
Cook, E. F. 1956. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part V. The genus Colobostema Enderlein. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 49:325-332.
Cook, E. F. 1956. A contribution toward a monograph of the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part VI. The genus Scatopse Geoffroay and Holoplagia Enderlein. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 49:593-611.
Cook, E. F. 1956. The Nearctic Chaoborinae (Diptera: Culicidae). Pages 102 Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota.
Cook, E. F. Year. Variation in the louse population of two species of rodents from the same locality in Proceedings of the Xth International Congress of Entomology, Montreal. 2:677.
Beer, J. R., and E. F. Cook. 1957. A method for collecting ectoparasites from birds. Journal of Parasitology 43:445.
Cook, E. F. 1958. A contribution toward a monograph of the Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part VII. The genus Psectrosciara Kieffer. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 51:587-595.
Cook, E. F., and J. R. Beer. 1958. The louse population on some deer mice from western Oregon. Pan-Pacific Entomology 34:155-158.
Cook, E. F., and J. R. Beer. 1958. A study of louse populations on the meadow vole and deer mouse. Pan-Pacific Entomology 34:155-158.
Cutkomp, L. K., and E. F. Cook. 1958. Fleas as household pests. Pages 68 p. Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
Pipa, R. L., and E. F. Cook. 1958. The structure and biochemistry of the connective tissue of the sucking lice. Journal of Morphology 103:353-385.
Beer, J. R., R. G. Schwab, and E. F. Cook. 1959. The ectoparasites of some mammals from the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona. Journal of Parasitology 45:605-613.
Cook, E. F. 1959. Insect collection serves many purposes in research. Minnesota Farm & Home Science 16:19-20.
Cook, E. F., and J. R. Beer. 1959. The immature stages of the genus Hoplopleura (Anopleura: Hoplopluridae) in North America with descriptions of two new species. Journal of Parasitology 45:405-416.
Pipa, R. L., and E. F. Cook. 1959. Studies on the hexapod nervous system I. The peripheral distribution of the thoracic nerves of the adult cockroach, Periplaneta americana. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 52:695-710.
Pipa, R. L., E. F. Cook, and A. G. Richards. 1959. Studies on the hexapod nervous system II. The histology of the thoracic ganglia of the adult cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). The Journal of Comparative Neurology 113:401-433.
Cook, E. F. 1960. The male of Chaoborus (Sayomyia) annulatus Cook. Entomological News 71:25-26.
Cook, E. F. 1960. Three new species of Scatopsidae from East Africa. Annals de la Musee du Congo, Tervuren in 8° Zoology 88:309-313.
Hodson, A. C., and E. F. Cook. 1960. Long range aerial transport of the Harlequin bug and the greenbug into Minnesota. Journal of Economic Entomology 53:604-608.
Davis, W. H., J. R. Beer, and E. F. Cook. 1961. Effects of pregnancy on the spleen in mice. Journal of Mammology 42:53-56.
Kraft, K. J., and E. F. Cook. 1961. A revision of the Pachygasterinae (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) of America North of Mexico. Miscellaneous Publications of the Entomological Society of America 3:1-24.
Li, C. S., and E. F. Cook. 1961. The Epilachninae of Taiwan (Col: Coccinellidae). Pacific Insects 3:31-91.
Lofgren, J. A., and E. F. Cook. 1961. Clover Mitesin Farm & Home Fact Sheet Agricultural Extension Station, University of Minnesota.
Meade, A. B., and E. F. Cook. 1961. Notes on the biology of Scatopse fuscipes (Meigen) (Diptera: Scatopsidae). Entomological News 72:13-18.
Cook, E. F. 1962. Five new African Scatopsidae. Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines 65:53-58.
Woodring, J. P., and E. F. Cook. 1962. The anatomy of Ceratozetes cisalpinus, Berlese. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 55:164-181.
Woodring, J. P., and E. F. Cook. 1962. The biology of Ceratozetes cisalpinus, Berlese, Scheloribates laevigatus, Koch, and Oppia neerlandica Oudemans (Oribatei) with a description of all stages. Acarologia 4:101-137.
Cook, E. F. 1963. Guide to the insects of Connecticut. Part VI. The Diptera or true flies of Connecticut. Fascicle 8. Scatopsidae and Hyperoscelidae. . Pages 1-37 Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological Natural History Survey.
Kim, K. C., and E. F. Cook. 1963. A quantitative taxonomic study of the Enderleinellus suturalis complex (Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae). Systematic Zoology 12:134-148.
Cook, E. F. 1964. Scatopsidae. Parc National de la Garamba. – Mission H. de Saeger. Fasicule 44(4): 97-100. Inst. des Paris Nat. du Congo et du Rwanda., Bruxelles.
Cook, E. F. 1965. A contribution toward a monograph of the Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part IX. The genera Aspistes and Arthria (Diptera: Scatopsidae: Aspistinae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 58:713-721.
Cook, E. F. 1965. A contribution toward a monograph of the Scatopsidae (Diptera). Part VIII. The genus Anapausis. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 58:7-15.
Cook, E. F. 1965. Diptera (Nematocera) Scatopsidae. Pages 469-481 in South African Animal Life Results of Lund University Expedition in 1950-1951. Vol XX, Chap. V, Stockholm.
Cook, E. F. 1965. Hyperscelidae and Scatopsidae. Pages 237-241 in A Catalog of the Diptera of America North of Mexico U.S. Dept. of Agr. Agricultural Handbook No. 276.
Kim, K. C., B. W. Brown Jr., and E. F. Cook. 1966. A quantitative study of the Hopopleura hesperomydis complex with notes on A. posteriori taxonomic characters. Systematic Zoology 15:24-25.
Kim, K. C., and E. F. Cook. 1966. A comparative external morphology of adult Sphaeroceridae. Miscellaneous Publications of the Entomological Society of America 5:77-100.
Peters, T. M., and E. F. Cook. 1966. The nearctic Dixidae. Miscellaneous Publications of the Entomological Society of America 5:232-278.
Cook, E. F. 1967. Family Hyperoscelidae. Page 1 in A catalog of Diptera of the Americas South of the United States Departmento de Zoologia, Secretario da Agricultura, Saõ Paulo.
Cook, E. F. 1967. Family Scatopsidae. Pages 1-9 in A catalog of Diptera of the Americas South of the United States Departmento de Zoologia, Secretario da Agricultura, Saõ Paulo.
Beer, J. R., and E. F. Cook. 1968. A ten year study of Louse populations in deer mice. Journal of Medical Entomology 5:85-90.
Cook, E. F. 1968. Two new species of Scatopsidae (Diptera) from the Bismarck Islands. Entomologiske Meddelelser 36:414-416.
Stehr, F. W., and E. F. Cook. 1968. A revision of the genus Malacosoma Hübner in North America (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae): systematics, biology, immatures, and parasites (U. S. N. M. Bulletin, ed.) Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.
Cook, E. F. 1969. A synopsis of the Scatopsidae of the Palaearctic. Part I: Rhegmoclematini. Journal of Natural History 3:393-407.
Cook, E. F. 1970. A new name in Anapausis. The Entomologist 103:258-259.
Clausen, P. J., and E. F. Cook. 1971. A revision of the Nearctic species of the tribe Parydrini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Society 27:1-150.
Cook, E. F. 1971. The Australian Scatopsidae. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplemental Series 8:1-90.
Cook, E. F. 1971. Fossil Scatopsidae in Mexican amber. Pages 57-61 in Studies of fossiliferous amber arthropods of the Chiapas, Mexico University of California Publications in Entomology.
Cook, E. F. 1972. A synopsis of the Scatopsidae of the Palaearctic Part II. Swammerdamellini. Journal of Natural History 6:625-634.
Cook, E. F. 1973. Chaoboridae. Pages 264-265 in A catalog of the Diptera of the Oriental Region, Vol 1 U of Hawaii Press.
Cook, E. F. 1973. Scatopsidae. Pages 477-479 in A catalog of the Diptera of the Oriental Region, Vol 1 U of Hawaii Press.
Cook, E. F. 1974. Minnesota arthropods. Newsletter of the Association of Minnesota Entomologists 7(3) 1974:4-9.
Cook, E. F. 1974. A synopsis of the Scatopsidae of the Palaearctic Part III. The Scatopsini. Journal of Natural History 8:61-100.
Corpuz-Raros, L. A., and E. F. Cook. 1974. A revision of North American Capitophorus Van der Goot and Pleotrichophorus Borner. Smithsonian Contrubutions to Zoology 156:1-143.
Cook, E. F. 1975. Minnesota arthropods. Newsletter of the Association of Minnesota Entomologists 7(4) 1975:8-10.
Hall, R. J., L. Berner, and E. F. Cook. 1975. Observations on the biology of Tricorythodes atratus McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Tricorythidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 77:34-49.
Cook, E. F. 1976. A new genus and five new species of Scatopsidae (Diptera) from New Guinea and Australia. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 15:447-452.
Cook, E. F. 1976. A preliminary catalog of the aquatic insects of Minnesota - Diptera, part 1. Newsletter of the Association of Minnesota Entomologists 9(1-2) 1976:11-18.
Cook, E. F. 1976. A preliminary catalog of the aquatic insects of Minnesota-Coleoptera. Newsletter of the Association of Minnesota Entomologists 8(3-4) 1976:20-23.
Cook, E. F. 1976. A reconsideration of Nearctic Rhexoza (Diptera: Scatopsidae). Pan-Pacific Entomology 51:62-75.
Hansen, D. C., and E. F. Cook. 1976. The systematics and morphology of the nearactic species of Diamesa Meigen, 1835, (Diptera: Chironomidae). American Entomological Society at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Cook, E. F. 1977. Chaoboridae. Pages 276 in Biota acuatica de Sudamerica austral (S. H. Hurlbert, ed.) San Diego State University, California, San Diego.
Cook, E. F. 1978. A new genus and five new species of Scatopsidae from California, Mexico, El Salvador and Peru. Pan-Pacific Entomology 54:31-37.
Cook, E. F. 1978. A new genus and five new species of Scatopsidae from California, Mexico, El Salvador and Peru (Diptera). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 54(1) 1978:31-37.
Cook, E. F. 1978. The Scatopsidae of Nepal. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 71:529-536.
Hellenthal, R. A., E. F. Cook, and T. J. Crovello. 1978. Considerations of variability and taxonomic methodology in the systematics of the Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae). Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 1977, publ:87: 245.
VanDerwerker, G. K., E. F. Cook, and H. M. Kulman. 1978. Morphology of the adult reproductive systems of the yellowheaded spruce sawfly, Pikonema alaskensis. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 71:615-618.
Timm, R. M., and E. F. Cook. 1979. The effect of bot fly larvae on reproduction in white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus. The American Midland Naturalist 101:211-217.
Timm, R. M., and E. F. Cook. 1979. The effect of bot-fly larvae on reproduction in white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus. American Midland Naturalist 101(1) 1979:211-217.
Cook, E. F. 1980. Catalogue of the Diptera of the Afrotropical region. 17. Family Scatopsidae. British Museum (Natural History) Publication No.821 1980:235-237.
Cook, E. F. 1980. Chaoboridaein Aquatic Biota of Southern South America (S. H. Hurlburt, ed.) San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Cook, E. F. 1980. Scatopsidaein Catalog of the Diptera of the Afrotropical Region (R. W. Crossky, ed.) Pub. British Mus. Nat Hist., London.
Hall, R. J., T. F. Waters, and E. F. Cook. 1980. The role of drift dispersal in production ecology of a stream mayfly. Ecology 61:37-43.
Bennett, D. V., and E. F. Cook. 1981. The semi-aquatic Hemiptera of Minnesota (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Pages 59 Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota.
Cook, E. F. 1981. Chaoboridae. Pages 335-339 in Manual of Nearctic Diptera. I. Monograph No. 27 Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
Cook, E. F. 1981. Chaoboridae. Pages 259-261 in Aquatic biota of tropical South America: (being a compilation of taxonomic bibliographies for the fauna and flora of inland waters of the tropical portion of South America). Part 1. Arthropoda (S. H. Hurlbert, G. Rodriguez, and N. D. dos Santos, eds.). Published by the Editors, San Diego University, San Diego.
Cook, E. F. 1981. Scatopsidae. Pages 313-319 in Manual of Nearctic Diptera. I. Monograph No. 27 Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
Krueger, C. C., and E. F. Cook. 1981. Life cycles drift, and standing stocks of some stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) from streams in Minnesota, U.S.A. Hydrobiologia 83:85-92.
Peterson, B. V., and E. F. Cook. 1981. Synneuridae. Pages 321-324 in Manual of Nearctic Diptera. I. Monograph No. 27 Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
Westra, P. H., D. L. Wyse, and E. F. Cook. 1981. Weevil (Notaris bimaculatus) feeding reduced effectiveness of glyphosate on qauckgrass (Agropyon repens). Weed Science 29:540-547.
Baker, N. T., A. G. Richards, and E. F. Cook. 1982. Reexamination of the exoskeletal and muscular anatomy of the honey bee Apis mellifera and a polarized light microscopy technique for morphological studies. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 75:494-497.
Cook, E. F. 1982. Types of the Aphididae in the University of Minnesota collection, with special reference to the species described by O.W. Oestlund and H.F. Wilson. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 75:71-77.
Cook, E. F., S. H. Hurlbert, and A. Villalobos-Fugueroa. 1982. Chaoboridae. Pages 432-433 in Aquatic biota of Mexico, Central America and the West Indies: (being a compilation of taxonomic bibliographies for the fauna and flora of island waters of Mesoamerica and the Caribbean region) (S. H. Hurlbert, and A. Villalobos-Fugueroa, eds.). San Diego State University, San Diego.
Cook, E. F. 1984. Aphis (Homoptera: Aphididae) recorded from compositae in North America, with a key to the species east of the Rocky Mountains and comments on synonymy and redescriptions of some little known forms. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 77:442-449.
Cook, E. F. 1984. Glabromyzus and Utamphorophora (Homoptera: Aphidida) species of North America. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 77:705-711.
Cook, E. F. 1984. Redescription of Aphis mimuli Oestlund (1887) and a new name for a misidentified redescription. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 77:270-271.
Krueger, C. C., and E. F. Cook. 1984. Life cycles and drift of Trichoptera from a woodland stream in Minnesota. Canadian Journal of Zoology 62(8) 1984:1479-1484.
Krueger, C. C., and E. F. Cook. 1984. Life cycles, standing stocks, and drift of some Megaloptera, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera from streams in Minnesota, USA. Aquatic Insects 6(2) 1984:101-108.
Cook, E. F. 1989. Superfamily Scatopsoidea. 17. Family Scatopsidae. Pages 182-185 in Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions (N. L. Evenhuis, ed.) Bishop Museum Press; Leiden: E.J. Brill, Honolulu.
Cook, E. F. 1990. Fossil Scatopsidae in Dominican amber. Pages 389-390 in Evolutionary paleobiology of behavior and coevolution (A. J. Boucot, ed.) Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Maschwitz, D. E., and E. F. Cook. 2000. Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Polypedilum Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the subgenera P. (Polypedilum) and P. (Uresipedilum) Oyewo and Sæther. Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey, New Series Volume 12, No. 3. |
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