The papers of entomologist Joseph Wilcox were donated to the California Academy of Sciences along with his collection of over 25,000 specimens. His primary interest was the family Asilidae, and his research focused on the control of insect pests. The papers include correspondence, manuscripts, biographical materials, drawings and illustrations, invoices, bulletins, plates, and file cards.

Joseph Wilcox was born on September 19, 1901 in Wichita, Kansas. His family moved to Los Angeles where he attended the University of California (1920-1921), later earning his degrees at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, B.S. (1925), M.S. (1928) in entomology. From 1925 until 1931 he worked in truck crop Entomology with the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. This work gave rise to an interest in the order Diptera and family Asilidae that remained his object of study for over 60 years. After working in Oregon, Wilcox joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology (later the Agricultural Research Service) at Puyallup, Washington (1931-1936), Alhambra, California (1936-1951), Whittier, California (1951-1961), and as Resident Director in Riverside, California (1961-1962). His career research dealt with the biology and control of vegetable and fruit insects. His collecting trips were followed by an intensive and systematic study of the Mydaidae and especially of the Asilidae resulting in descriptions of over 100 new species. He died December 22, 1982 in Riverside, California. The Wilcox collection, containing over 25,000 specimens, along with reprints, manuscripts and correspondence was donated to the California Academy of Sciences.

24+ boxes, 8.25 cu.ft

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