Charles Duncan Michener

CharlesDMichener7June2015

Charles Duncan Michener (September 22, 1918 – November 1, 2015) was an eminent American entomologist who specialized in the study of bees. Michener's work significantly contributed to the understanding of bee taxonomy, evolution, and behavior, making him a leading figure in melittology, the study of bees. Over his lengthy career, he authored more than 600 scientific papers and several books, including The Bees of the World, which is considered a seminal work in the field.

Early Life and Education

Charles Duncan Michener was born in Pasadena, California, and developed an interest in natural history and insects at a young age. He pursued his passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1939, followed by a Ph.D. in Entomology from the same institution in 1942. His doctoral dissertation focused on the comparative morphology and systematics of bees, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to the field.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Michener began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where he worked from 1942 to 1948. He then moved to the University of Kansas, where he spent the majority of his academic career. At Kansas, he was instrumental in establishing the Snow Entomological Museum Collection as a significant research resource. Michener served as a professor at the University of Kansas from 1948 until his retirement in 1989, after which he continued to be active in research and writing.

Michener's research was broad and interdisciplinary, covering aspects of bee biology such as social behavior, phylogeny, and biogeography. He was particularly interested in the evolution of sociality in bees and the relationships between bee species. His work utilized both morphological and molecular data, making him a pioneer in the integration of these approaches in entomology.

Contributions and Legacy

Michener's contributions to entomology and melittology are vast. His book The Bees of the World, first published in 2000, is an exhaustive reference that provides detailed descriptions of all bee families and genera. It is widely used by entomologists and bee researchers as the definitive text on bee taxonomy and biology.

Throughout his career, Michener received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to science, including the Thomas Say Award from the Entomological Society of America and the Linnean Medal for Zoology. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Michener's legacy extends beyond his publications. He mentored many students who went on to have distinguished careers in entomology and related fields. His approach to research, which emphasized the importance of fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and the synthesis of information across disciplines, has influenced generations of scientists.

Selected Works

• The Bees of the World
• Comparative Morphological and Systematic Studies of Bee Larvae with a Key to the Families of Hymenopterous Larvae

Death

Charles Duncan Michener passed away on November 1, 2015, at the age of 97. His death marked the end of an era in the study of bees, but his work continues to inspire and inform research in the field.