Dr Minter Jackson Westfall, Jr: a short biographical sketch and bibliography

A brief biographic outline and appreciation of odonatological work of M.J. WESTFALL, Jr, Emeritus Professor of Zoology (University of Florida, Gainesville), Director of the SIO International Odonata Research Institute (Gainesville), Member of Honour and Past President of the International Odonatological Society, Chairman of the SIO National Office in the United States, Editior of Selysia, Associate Editor of Odonalologica, etc., are followed by an annotated checklist of new taxa he has introduced in Odonata, and by his bibliography (1936-1985). M ost of his odonatological work is devoted to the fauna of the New World, particularly in the areas of systematics and taxonomy, life-history studies, and larval morphology. During the past few decades, his work and his personality have significantly contributed to the popularisation of dragonflies and greatly influenced the development of odonatology in the United States. It may sound ironic, but work on Odonata taxonomy will be accelerated now that Professor Minter J. Westfall has retired. I say this because certain job responsibilities can hinder us from accomplishing as much as we desire in our chosen field. While Minter Westfall’s research at the University of Florida expressly involved Odonata, his teaching duties in biology and entomology limited the amount of time he could devote to dragonflies. The late-night phrase he used most during the years 1 worked with him was, ”If there were only more hours in a day!” More hours are now free for dragonfly study, as Minter officially retired from the teaching profession on April 30, 1985, culminating a 38-year career at the University of Florida.