Paul A. Opler papers

Title: Paul A. Opler papers

Dates: 1938-2001

Collection Number: MSS-361

Creator/Collector: Opler, Paul A.

Extent: 9 boxes, 3.15 cu.ft.

Repository: California Academy of Sciences

Abstract: The papers of Paul A. Opler, entomologist and butterfly expert, consists primarily of correspondence with some miscellaneous slides and photographs.

Language of Material: English

Access is unrestricted

[Identification of item]. Paul A. Opler papers. Collection Number: MSS-361. California Academy of Sciences

Paul Alexander Opler was born on 3 August 1938 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned his B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley (1960). After serving in the U.S. Army (1961-1963), Opler received his M.A. from California State University, San Jose (1965), returning to the University of California, Berkeley for his Ph.D. (1970). A stint as Research Associate for the Organization of Tropical Studies, San Jose, Costa Rica (1970-1974) led to a station with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington D.C. (1974). Other positions held were: Chief, Branch of Biological Support, Office of Endangered Species (1980-1982) and Managing Editor of Research and Development Information, Ft. Collins, Colorado (1983-1986). While in the latter position, Opler was Adjunct faculty at Colorado State University (1984-?) and published Butterflies East of the Great Plains: An Illustrated Natural History (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1984). (This was his second monograph, Oak Lepidoptera Ecology having been published in 1975.) Opler’s honors and memberships include: Alternate Fellow, National Science Foundation; Special Achievement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1986); Member, Association Tropical Biology (Executive Director 1984-); American Institute of Biological Sciences (Secretary-Treasurer, 1985-); Xerces Society (vice-president, 1985-); and Pacific Coast Entomological Society. He now lives in Loveland, Colorado (2001).

The papers of Paul A. Opler, entomologist and butterfly expert, consists primarily of correspondence with some miscellaneous slides and photographs.