New York State Division of Science and State Museum State Entomologist's Topical File B0573

New York State Division of Science and State Museum State Entomologist's Topical File

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of outgoing correspondence, memoranda, notes, bibliographies, articles, information pamphlets, photographs and original illustrations for publications. Subjects include identification of insect specimens; insect control; use, application, and effect of insecticides; the European Corn Borer; insect classification; State Museum exhibits; nomenclature; and quarantines of agricultural products. Also included are files of Robert Douglas Glasgow which predate his tenure as State Entomologist.

Creator:

New York (State). Division of Science and State Museum

Title:

State Entomologist's topical file

Quantity:

9.5 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1894-1960

Series Number:

B0573

Arrangement

Chronological by time period, then alphabetical by subject. Beginning in 1928 insect subjects are filed separately from other subjects (e.g. administrative) in an Insect File.

Roughly by subject.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains outgoing correspondence, memorandums, notes, bibliographies, articles, information pamphlets, and occasional photographs and original illustrations for publications.

These records were accumulated by Ephraim Porter Felt, 1894-1928 (Entomological Assistant 1895-1898, State Entomologist 1898-1928) and Robert Douglas Glasgow, 1928-1934 (State Entomologist 1928-1948). Subjects include the following: identification of insect specimens sent to the State Entomologist; methods of control of harmful insects; use, application procedures, and effects of insecticides; large quantity of material on the life cycle, effects, and eradication of the European Corn Borer resulting from a legislative appropriation in 1920; scientific classification of insects; preparation of entomological exhibits for the State Museum; use of nomenclature; and quarantines of agricultural products.

Much of this series consists of outgoing correspondence filed here because of its subject. Other correspondence with the same persons is filed by name in series B0572, State Entomologist's Correspondence File. Documents relating to specific insects may be filed in the Topical File under either their scientific or common names.

B0573-01: This accretion consists predominantly of topical files compiled by Robert Douglas Glasgow. The records predate Glasgow's tenure as State Entomologist, including material compiled while Glasgow was a graduate student at the University of Illinois and while he worked in the office of the Illinois State Entomologist in Urbana. The accretion includes correspondence related to given topics, notes, translations, scattered photographs and negatives, sketches, scholarly publications, drafts of scholarly papers, topographic maps, and blueprints. Also included are files compiled by Donald L. Collins, who became Acting State Entomologist in 1949 and State Entomologist in 1951.

B0573-01: Glasgow's files for the most part pertain to Phyllophaga (also referred to as Lachnosterna), the genus that includes the very numerous species of Maybeetles and June bugs. Other topics include: effects of DDT on wildlife; Dutch Elm Disease; cooperation between the Works Progress Administration, the Civil Works Administration, and the State Museum; black fly and mosquito control; malaria control in Dutchess, Westchester, and Putnam Counties; and use of alcohol for scientific purposes during the era of National Prohibition.