Longtime Auburn entomologist recognized for pest management expertise 

Fudd Graham inducted into Southern Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame 

After a career spanning more than four decades, retired Auburn University entomologist Lawrence “Fudd” Graham was inducted into the Southern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Hall of Fame, recognizing his lifetime contributions to integrated pest management throughout the southeastern United States. 

Presented by the Southern IPM Center, the Hall of Fame honors individuals whose careers have made lasting contributions to integrated pest management through research, Extension, education and outreach. 

Before retiring in 2022, Graham served more than 22 years as a research fellow and Extension specialist in Auburn's Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, where he became widely recognized for his work on red imported fire ant management, biological control and school integrated pest management programs. 

For Graham, the honor recognizes a philosophy that has guided his work since his undergraduate days. 

"I've done IPM all my life," Graham said. "I started technically in IPM when I was a freshman at Auburn as a cotton scout. Back then we didn't call it IPM — we were just scouting cotton — but we were doing the same thing: figuring out whether there was really a problem and, if there was, what the best solution would be." 

Throughout his career, Graham focused on practical, science-based pest management strategies that reduced reliance on traditional pesticide applications while helping farmers, ranchers, schools and pest management professionals adopt safer and more sustainable practices. 

Among his most significant research contributions was pioneering work using phorid flies as a biological control for red imported fire ants in southeastern pastures, an innovative management strategy at the time. He also helped develop lower-toxicity fire ant management approaches. 

In 2003, Graham partnered with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to secure funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a statewide school integrated pest management initiative. Working alongside collaborators including Dr. Marc Lame, Graham helped establish one of the region's early school IPM programs, emphasizing pest prevention, accurate identification, nonchemical management practices, education and communication between schools and pest management professionals. 

Over the course of his career, Graham's work influenced pest management practices across Alabama and the South. Farmers and ranchers adopted biological control strategies and reduced-risk fire ant treatments, structural pest management professionals transitioned to more effective bait-based approaches, and schools implemented prevention-focused IPM programs designed to improve human health and reduce unnecessary pesticide use. 

Janet Hurley, senior Extension program specialist in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and one of Graham's longtime collaborators, described Graham as a best friend and mentor for nearly 20 years. 

“When I met Fudd, he had a lot of students and most of them female, as he was one of those individuals who saw potential in women in entomology,” Hurley said. “His work with fire ants is one of the best nationwide, and yet no one seems to know that. Fudd is a low-key individual who works hard, keeps his head down, and is happy when you solve the problem.” 

Hurley said Graham's collaborative approach and quiet leadership have left a lasting impact on integrated pest management programs throughout the region. 

“He lives what he preaches when it comes to IPM,” she said. “He influenced a lot of people and still keeps up with them. He's a rare person, and I'm glad to call him a friend.” 

Vicky Bertagnolli, consumer horticulture extension agent in Clemson, South Carolina, agreed. 

“Fudd has a remarkable ability to explain the oft-labeled ‘complex' or 'abstract' concept of IPM in such a way that that concept turns into something understandable, realistic and executable,” she said. “IPM simply makes sense after he explains it. This is an invaluable strength to have when you’re a pioneer in a field of work.” 

In addition to his Extension and research efforts, Graham authored or co-authored 11 peer-reviewed research publications focused on fire ant biological control and phorid fly research, many in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit in Gainesville, Florida. He also authored or co-authored 42 Extension publications and delivered nearly 100 Extension presentations throughout the South, in addition to dozens of invited presentations at state and national meetings. 

“Fudd's influence extends far beyond the research he published,” said Arthur Appel, interim dean of Auburn's College of Agriculture and former chair of the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology. “He helped change the way people think about integrated pest management by developing practical, science-based solutions that producers, schools and pest management professionals could actually implement. His work has improved pest management across the South, and his legacy will continue through the people and programs he helped shape. This recognition is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career.” 

Mentorship remains a hallmark of Graham's career. While advising graduate students at Auburn, he was equally committed to mentoring Extension professionals, pest management practitioners, farmers, ranchers and colleagues throughout the industry. 

Bertagnolli, one such mentee, started working with Graham in early 2001. 

“During my first week on the job, Fudd took me to the bank and called the retirement managers to help me set up my retirement account,” she recalled. “It was my first 'big-kid' job, and he wanted to make sure I managed my finances responsibly, starting with my first paycheck.” 

According to Bertagnolli, Graham did not micromanage or expect perfection from his employees. Instead, he trusted and gave them the autonomy to do their jobs.  

“Fudd taught me that ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out’ is a perfectly acceptable answer,” she said. “I don’t have to know all of the answers off the top of my head; I only need to know how to find the answer and where to look. I credit Fudd with teaching me how to think critically, investigate thoroughly, and solve some pretty darn cool pest management mysteries. To this day, he’s often the first person I call to share an interesting case with.” 

Graham said his greatest satisfaction has always come from solving problems rather than focusing on a particular insect or research specialty. 

“I'm a problem solver,” Graham said. “If you have a problem in your crop with a pest, that's the pest I'm going to work on that year. Whether it's whiteflies, aphids, worms or fire ants, my job has always been to find the best solution. Basically, what I've been doing all my life is IPM.” 

A native of Benevola, Alabama, Graham is a two-time Auburn alumnus, earning his bachelor's degree in animal and dairy science and his Ph.D. in entomology from the university.