Two claims to fame for C. Lamar Meek, professor in the Department of Entomology who died June 27, 2000, were his mosquito research and forensic entomology research. In 1979, Meek became LSU’s chief mosquito scientist, replacing C. Dayton Steelman, who moved to an administrative position. Meek became a driving force in the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association, twice serving as its president. He edited the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association Training Manual for mosquito control personnel. He was also instrumental in organizing an annual spring workshop for hands-on training for mosquito control district personnel. Meek was a strong advocate of having mosquito control workers tested and certified by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and took the lead role in writing the tests used for this purpose. Meek died of heart failure while conducting a mosquito control experiment in Cleveland, Miss. During his last 12 years, he focused on contributing to knowledge of forensic entomology in addition to his mosquito research. He published more than 20 papers and a book chapter about necrophilous arthropods in relation to investigations of homocides and deaths of high-profile wildlife. He testified in more than 10 criminal trials, including the case upon which the film “Dead Man Walking” was based. Linda Foster Benedict
(This article appeared in the spring 2001 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.)
6/2/2005 2:12:27 AM
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