Edward Fred Knipling Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS0210

Staff Only

Content Description

The Edward Fred Knipling Papers are part of the Screwworm Eradication Program Records in the Special Collections of the USDA National Agricultural Library. The Knipling papers cover the areas of entomology researched by Knipling during his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including his early research on the screwworm and the eradication efforts in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, and the Southeast United States in the 1950s. Knipling's research included parasite control methods and studies on the boll weevil, fruit fly, tsetse fly, European corn borer, and various species of ticks and moths. In addition, the collection reflects Knipling's continued activity in entomology after his 1973 retirement from the USDA. Materials include correspondence, publications, manuscripts, reports, photographs, research data, notes, speeches, awards, artifacts, and biographical information.

Dates

Creation: 1906-2003
Creation: Majority of material found within 1930-1990

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Biographical Sketch

E. F. (Edward Fred) Knipling (1909-2000) was an internationally known entomologist and theorist. His scientific contributions included parasitoid augmentation technique, insect control methods involving the medication of the hosts, and various models of total insect population management. He was best known, however, for the biological control method known as sterile insect technique (SIT), which was employed in screwworm eradication efforts in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Florida, Texas, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Knipling studied entomology at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) and Iowa State College (now Iowa State University). He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 1930 to 1973. After retiring from USDA, Knipling continued to serve as a collaborator with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and he remained active in the field of entomology until 2000.

Total Size of Collection

76 letter_document_box

1 flat_pamphlet_box

2 legal_document_box

12 boxes (3 boxes, 7.75 x 12 x 5.5; 1 box, 15.25 x 11.75 x 3; 4 boxes, 22.25 x 15.25 x 2; 2 boxes, 18.75 x 14.75 x 3; 1 box, 24.75 x 21 x 3; 1 box, 20.75 x 17 x 1.5)

59 Linear Feet (91 boxes)