International Screwworm Eradication Program Records

Collection

Identifier: MS0355

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The materials in the International Collection: Screwworm Eradication Program Records were produced by a wide range of governments and organizations around the world, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS) and Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Countries represented in this collection include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, North Africa (including Libya), Panama, Paraguay, and the United States. Some records are organized by region, including Central America and the West Indies. For information on the screwworm eradication program in Mexico, please refer to Collection 212, Southwestern United States and Mexico: Screwworm Eradication Program Records. The collection spans 4.5 linear feet and all materials are in good condition. Collection materials date from 1954 to 2002, with the bulk of materials dating 1976-2000.

The majority of materials are progress reports detailing the results of eradication programs. Laboratory data, newspaper clippings, professional journals, and e-mail newsletters are also included. The materials have been divided into two series. Series I contains the bulk of the collection materials and is arranged alphabetically by country or region. Series II is composed of weekly e-mail newsletters distributed by Harold C. Hofman; the newsletters detail weekly progress on screwworm eradication programs around the world.

Several other Screwworm Eradication Program Records collections contain international program materials. Please see Appendix B for an abbreviated listing.

Dates

Creation: 1954-2002
Creation: Majority of material found within 1976-2000

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Organizational History

The Screwworm Eradication Program includes U.S. domestic and international agricultural programs to eliminate the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia americana) from the North American continent. A flesh-eating pest of warm-blooded animals, the screwworm was brought under control using Sterile Insect Technique, which emphasizes biological control methods. The technique used in screwworm eradication involves raising large numbers of sterile flies in production facilities. The sterile flies are then released into the wild fertile population to overwhelm and eliminate it through interbreeding.

Total Size of Collection

8 letter_document_box

1 legal_document_box

4.5 Linear Feet (9 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Content Description

The International Screwworm Eradication Program Records document screwworm eradication efforts in international programs. Countries represented in this collection include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, North Africa (including Libya), Panama, Paraguay, and the United States. Some records are organized by region, including Central America and the West Indies. Materials relating to the programs in Mexico are located in collection number 211, Screwworm Eradication Program Records for the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Due to the interconnectedness and staff overlap of many of the screwworm eradication programs, there may be international program materials in other Screwworm Eradication Program Records collections.