Tallulah Laboratory Cotton Insect Photograph Collection

The USDA Cotton Insects Research Laboratory in Tallulah, Louisiana, was established in 1909 as part of the Bureau of Entomology’s Southern Field Crop Insect Investigations. Officials chose Madison Parish for its location because it offered ideal conditions for studying cotton pests like the boll weevil, which had become a major threat to southern agriculture. The laboratory grew to be a pioneering center for research on cotton insect control, as scientists developed innovative methods like aerial dusting with calcium arsenate to combat infestations. Over a half-century, Tallulah’s scientists led efforts to evaluate and develop chemical insecticides and application techniques. Their work was instrumental in protecting cotton crops across the Mississippi Delta and beyond. The Tallulah Laboratory eventually closed in 1973, and its staff and collections transferred to other USDA facilities.