After four decades of dedicated service to the Silver State, Jeff Knight, Nevada’s longtime state entomologist, is preparing to retire. His final day with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will be Friday, July 4, 2025.
Knight’s path to entomology began in childhood, sparked by an early fascination with insects and nurtured through 4-H programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in pest management from the University of Nevada, Reno, followed by a Master of Science in entomology from Utah State University. He first joined NDA as a seasonal entomologist in 1977.
Knight has deep Nevada roots and strong ties to the Fallon community. In October 1976, he married Fallon resident Virginia Guazzini. They welcomed son Brian in 1980 and daughter Angela in 1982. He continues to spend much of his time in Fallon with family.
In 1993, Knight was promoted to state entomologist, a role in which he helped safeguard Nevada’s economy and food systems by leading responses to invasive species and agricultural pests. According to NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea, Knight’s “passion and dedication to the development and curation of the State of Nevada Entomology Collection has catalogued the discovery of new species within the state and expanded the formal state records for species.”
Knight also became a go-to resource for the public and agriculture professionals alike, identifying countless specimens and offering guidance on pest management. “He has also identified innumerable samples from the public and agriculture community, offering insights and management recommendations,” Goicoechea noted.
Throughout his career, Knight was known not only for his scientific expertise but also for his commitment to public education and environmental stewardship. “Jeff is regarded as a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship, educating Nevadans on the importance of sustainable practices to preserve our state’s valuable ecosystems,” said Goicoechea.
Knight has worked on several of Nevada’s major insect issues, including Mormon crickets, fire ants, grasshoppers, gypsy moths, spiders, Japanese beetles, Africanized honeybees, and more. He has given thousands—literally—of lectures throughout Nevada and Fallon, working closely with the University of Nevada Extension Office, Master Gardeners, schools, and other organizations. He is a familiar face at the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival, often staffing the Department of Agriculture’s booth, and has spent countless hours teaching students about insects in classrooms across the region.
Sharing his love for the field, Knight also taught community education classes through Western Nevada College’s Fallon campus. One beetle has already been named in his honor as a newly discovered species, with another in the process.
With his July retirement approaching, colleagues across the state are taking time to reflect on Knight’s many contributions to Nevada’s agriculture, environment, and scientific community. Governor Joe Lombardo has issued a proclamation in his honor upon retirement.
“We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” Goicoechea said.
Information for this article was provided by the Nevada Department of Agriculture and additional details were contributed by the Knight family.
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