James Zetek

James Zetek
Born	1886
Died	1959 (aged 72–73)
Nationality	American
Scientific career
Fields	Entomology

Dr. James Zetek (1886-1959) was an entomologist and authority on the natural history of Panama.

Career

Barro Colorado Research Station, 2006

He was born Vaclav Zetek, Dec. 12, 1886 in Chicago, son of Vaclav Zetek, an immigrant from Bohemia and a stone cutter in Chicago, and his spouse Johanna Velker. James went to Panama in 1911 as an entomologist, serving for a time as professor there. Dr. Zetek was the Founding Director of the Canal Zone Biological Area (CZBA), located on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. He served as Resident Manager from 1923-1956. He died in Panama June 2, 1959, and was buried in Amador Cemetery.

Zetek's primary research interest was the study of termites and termite control. USDA entomologist Thomas E. Snyder studied with him.

Zetek also became an authority in other aspects of Panama's natural history. He wrote a paper on the mollusks of Panama in 1917.

Zetek retired in 1956. His successor was Carl D. Koford. Zetek's papers are held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

External links

• "James Zetek on Barro Colorado Island". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
• "Workers on Barro Colorado Island, Panama". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
• "Party of Scientists on Barro Colorado Island". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
• "Building Water Tank on Barro Colorado". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
• "James Zetek and Watson Perrygo next to boat, Barro Colorado Island". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2012-05-25.