Descriptive Entry

The papers of Edward L. Todd consist of professional correspondence documenting his research in Lepidoptera and Hemiptera at the USDA. Also included are notes from professional meetings, research projects, and grant information.

Historical Note

Edward L. Todd (1922-1986) was born in Eureka, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. From 1945 until 1950, Todd was an Assistant and Laboratory Instructor in the entomology and general biology departments at the University. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1950, Todd worked from 1951 to 1952 as an entomologist for the Communicable Disease Center, United States Public Health Service, in Georgia.

In 1953, Todd became a Research Entomologist with the Division of Insect Identification, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), located in the United States National Museum. In 1972, the Division became the Systematic Entomology Laboratory. Todd remained at the USDA until his retirement in 1979, working on the systematics and taxonomy of Lepidoptera (Noctuidae) and Hemiptera (Gelastocoridae).