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Volume 27, Number 1 87
OBITUARY ALVAH PETERSON (1888-1972)
Dr. Alvah Peterson, well known entomologist and lepidopterist, died on Monday, September 11, 1972, at the Ohio State University Hospital.
Dr. Peterson was responsible for many publications during his long career. His first major work was, "The Head-Capsule and Mouthparts of Diptera," published as an Illinois Biological Monograph in 1916. He then launched into research and the publication of many papers on economically important insects while he was with the Department of Entomology, Rutgers University (1916-1925) and the United States Department of Agriculture (1925-1928). Dr. Peterson left the Department of Agriculture in 1928 to become Professor of Entomology at Ohio State University, a position he held until retirement. It was while at Ohio State University that he completed the works that most lepidopterists will remember him for. These include Larvae of Insects, Entomological Techniques, and numerous papers on lepidopteran eggs. His two-volume work Larvae of Insects is used throughout the world as the basic work for the identification of immature insects. Interestingly, his pioneer work on insect eggs was done after his retirement from Ohio State University.
Dr. Peterson was a member of the Entomological Society of America where he served as national president. He also had the distinction of being the Society's first member to be elected to an honorary membership. He served as consultant or visiting professor of Entomology at
88 Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
Michigan State, the University of Arizona, Oregon State, the University of Florida, and the University of Minnesota.
Besides his scientific accomplishments, Dr. Peterson was very well liked by all who knew him, especially his students to whom he always gave generously of his time and help. His passing is mourned by all who knew him.
Charles L. Selman, Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210.