ALBERTO
BROCE
Professor of entomology
The
house flies that serve as an annoying sign of summer, serve as
research subjects for Alberto B. Broce, professor of entomology
at Kansas State University. Broce has committed his career to
researching insects that affect man and animals ranging from flies
and fleas to ticks and mites.
Broce is an expert on flies of veterinary importance, especially stable flies, house flies, face flies and horn flies. He has done research on insecticide resistance, trapping methods, migration patterns, breeding habits and control strategies for flies. He holds a patent with two other researchers for the "Flea Trap."
Broce received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in entomology from the University of Florida. He has been at K-State since 1979. He is a member of several academic organizations including the Entomology Society of America, the Central States Entomological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Sigma Xi Honorary society and Phi Sigma Honorary society.
Broce received international attention in 1999 for his research on electric bug zappers and their potential harm to humans. He and three other researchers from K-State discovered that electrocuted bugs shower the surrounding area with airborne bacteria and viruses. His research has helped manufacturers move away from electric traps to traps with adhesives.
Broce can be reached for comment at 785-532-4745, or via e-mail at abroce@k-state.edu.