Important crops in Arizona include cotton and vegetables while citrus, apples, grapes and a wide variety of minor crops are of increasing importance. All have insect pest problems worthy of study. The University of Arizona was founded in 1885. From the six initial faculty and thirty-two students, it has grown to a University with over 2,000 faculty and 35,000 students. In recent years it has made a commitment toward excellence in teaching and research, especially in the life sciences, and it is now one of the top 20 research universities in the country with a first class science library.
Insect research is a major focus.
The University is centrally located in Tucson and its 155 buildings are spread over nearly 345 acres. A pleasing blend of old and new architectural styles is unified by a consistent theme of brick and red tile roofs. The land-scaping is marked by an abundance of date and fan palms and olive and eucalyptus trees. The Entomology Department office and some of its facilities occupy the north wing of the top floor of the Forbes Building. This is one of the grand old buildings erected in 1915, with a handsome pillared front entrance and a grassy courtyard and rose garden on the back side.