Murray S. Blum 2505648 222745209 2008-06-30T22:10:31Z Bullpup597 7314624 {{Refimprove|date=February 2008}}{{Nofootnotes|date=February 2008}} [[Image:Replace this image male.svg|150px|right]] '''Murray S. Blum''' is an American research [[entomologist]] and a noted authority in the field of [[chemical ecology]]. == Early life and education == Born in [[1929]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], Blum (pronounced to rhyme with "gum") grew up in that city and in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. He earned his Ph.D. in [[entomology]] from the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]]. After serving in the [[U.S. Army]] during the [[Korean War]], he joined the faculty of [[Louisiana State University]]. In the 1960s he moved to the [[University of Georgia]], where he spent three decades as a research professor before his retirement. == Research == Blum has concentrated much of his research in the area of [[chemical ecology]], and is well-recognized as an expert on [[pheromones]]. His subjects of interest also included the [[eastern lubber grasshopper]] (''Romalea microptera'') and imported [[fire ants]] as the latter species (''Solenopsis invicta'') spread through the southern United States. Blum's entomology associates and close friends include noted apiologist [[Stephen Taber III]]<ref>{{cite journal|last=Blum |first=Murray S. |coauthors= Stephen Taber III |title = Preservation of Honey Bee Semen |journal = Science |volume = 131 |pages = 1734 - 1735 |date = 1960}}</ref>. == Television appearances == Blum may be best-known outside of academia for his infrequent, but memorable television appearances. An extrovert with a sly sense of humor, he is remembered as the grinning [[scientist]] who convinced TV personality [[Bryant Gumbel]] to join him in a breakfast of sauteed grubs on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]''.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} == Publications == A past winner of the [[Lamar Dodd Award]] for excellence in research, he is the author of many scholarly publications, including the book ''Chemical Defenses of Arthropods'', and he has also played a role in popularizing interest in insects. Blum is also the father of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and educator [[Deborah Blum]]. ==Resources== * Blum, Murray S. ''Chemical Defenses of Arthropods''. New York: Academic Press, 1981. * Blum, Murray S, ed. ''Chemistry and Toxicology of Diverse Classes of Alkaloids''. Fort Collins, CO: Alaken, 1996. * Blum, Murray S., ed. ''Fundamentals of Insect Physiology''. New York: Wiley, 1985. * Blum, Murray S. and Nancy Ann Blum, eds. ''Sexual Selection and Reproductive Competition in Insects''. New York: Academic Press, 1979. * Blum, Murray S., ed. ''Toxic Action of Marine and Terrestrial Alkaloids.''Ft.Collins, CO: Alaken, 1995. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.invasive.org/browse/autimages.cfm?aut=400 Murray S. Blum's images] * [http://www.alaken.com/chem_tox.html Chemistry and Toxicology of Diverse Classes of Alkaloids] * [http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/creativeresearch/awardwinners/BlumMurrayS.htm University of Georgia Research] * [http://www.entsoc.org/awards/honors/founders_list.htm Entomology Society of America Founders Award Recipients] * [http://www.desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_fireant.htm Invaders '''Red Imported Fire Ant''' (''Solenopsis invicta'') at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum] * [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/130/3373/452 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid, an Antibiotic Found in Royal Jelly] * [http://www.springerlink.com/content/x325238626mh2j27/ Journal of Chemical Ecology] * [http://www.hindawi.com/GetArticle.aspx?doi=10.1155/1961/80747&e=cta Chemical and Biological Characterization of Venom of the Ant Solenopsis Xyloni McCook] * [http://www.jstor.org/pss/3758330 Antifungal Properties of the Insect Alarm Pheromones, Citral, 2-Heptanone, and 4-Methyl-3-Heptanone] [[Category:1929 births|Blum, Murray S.]] [[Category:American entomologists]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Louisiana State University faculty]] [[Category:Myrmecologists]] [[Category:People from Pennsylvania]] [[Category:University of Georgia faculty]] [[Category:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alumni]]