In 2012, Zhao Jingzhao (center) donated his life's academic works and manuscripts to the archives.
WUHAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- She began studying spiders in 1975 and has been studying them for decades. Zhao Jingzhao's persistence and diligence have made his "spider life" in the past half century wonderful.
Born in 1936, Zhao Jingzhao is currently a retired professor at the School of Life Sciences of Hubei University, and his research direction is biological control, mainly engaged in spider research in Chinese cotton fields. In order to study spiders in depth, Zhao Jingzhao has traveled all over the country, gone to tropical rainforests, descended primitive caves, and repeatedly searched for spiders in Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries. In the research of natural enemies of cotton field spiders and spider ecology, Zhao Jingzhao has studied in depth, and spiders such as "Jingzhao Tamarind Spider" and "Zhao's Ball Belly Spider" are named after him.
In 1958, after graduating from Central China Normal University majoring in biology, Zhao Jingzhao came to Wuhan Normal University (the predecessor of Hubei University) to teach. In the 1970s, China's farmland was flooded with insect pests, and how to achieve no pesticide or less pesticide became an urgent research topic at that time. Zhao Jingzhao decided to adopt the method of biological control and insect control to control diseases and insect pests. However, an unexpected discovery led him to the path of specializing in spiders.
In 1975, Zhao Jingzhao conducted a large-scale cotton pest test in Hanyang. Experiments have proved that the best results of controlling cotton bollworms with red-eyed bees can only control 70-80%, and if you want to control cotton bollworms completely, you can only use pesticides. "Can we not use pesticides and rely on biological methods to control it?" In order to solve this problem, Zhao Jingzhao took the risk of compensating farmers for losses after failing, and applied for an additional 48 acres of farmland to continue the biological control of cotton bollworm experiments.
Kung Fu pays off. Zhao Jingzhao had an unexpected discovery that although no pesticides were sprayed in the farmland he experimented with, the cotton bollworm was 100% suppressed. What's going on? Zhao Jingzhao was puzzled, he began a new round of investigation, and found that there were many spiders in the 48 acres of land he experimented with. "Spiders eat worms, so they will also eat cotton bollworms!" Zhao Jingzhao suddenly realized, and from then on embarked on the road of specializing in the study of spiders.
Abandoning the previous pest research and studying spiders from scratch requires boldness and perseverance. In order to study spiders, Zhao Jingzhao traveled through countless forests, caves and tropical rainforests at home and abroad. Once Zhao Jingzhao and his party went to Yunnan, and in order to find their favorite spider species, they went deep into the primeval forest. The road in the primeval forest is only known by horses, and Zhao Jingzhao followed the horses in the forest, turning over more than 2,000 meters of high mountains to find spiders. Recalling the experience at that time, Zhao Jingzhao still can't help but be afraid and frightened: "It is difficult to sit down and rest, the ants around me are all surrounded, and wearing several layers of raincoats does not work." ”
In order to study more exotic species of spiders, Zhao Jingzhao suffered a lot. When he went to Xishuangbanna in 1982, he was bitten twice by a snake. "Snakes feed on spiders, and where there are many snakes, there are many spiders." Zhao Jingzhao said that in order not to scare the spider away, they must also try to learn to live in peace with the snake, and it is inevitable to be bitten by the snake. In 1983, during an expedition to the junction of China and Laos, Zhao Jingzhao was bitten by a 30-centimeter-long centipede and woke up in a coma for two days after rushing to the hospital to get antiserum drugs.
In addition to scientific research work, Zhao Jingzhao thought of squeezing out time to engage in research and write works. After work, before the meal time of more than ten or twenty minutes, the time to take the train when traveling, the time to wait when meeting others, etc., these trivial times Zhao Jingzhao have made full use of it. "The time of day is limited, but there are many tasks to be completed, and everything must be clearly arranged for each period of time." Zhao Jingzhao said. At present, Zhao Jingzhao has written more than a dozen books, adding up to more than 7 million words.
Today, Hubei University has studied spiders for more than 40 years and has collected more than 20,000 spider specimens. Driven by Zhao Jingzhao, Hubei University has trained many experts in the study of spiders, resulting in three generations of "Spider-Man" who specializes in spiders. Research proves that spiders are good friends of humans, and studying spiders can better serve our production and life.
After retirement, In addition to continuing his spider research, Zhao Jingzhao is also enthusiastic about public welfare and teaching young students. In 2012, Zhao Jingzhao donated his life's academic works and manuscripts to Hubei University, as well as more than 100 honorary certificates. "We must be willing to endure hardships, be willing to study, and strive for the development of science." Zhao Jingzhao often encouraged young college students in this way.
Writings of Zhao Jingzhao
Zhao Jingzhao took a group photo with students