The Division of Lepidoptera was created at the time of the establishment of the Department of Entomology in July 1963. The Division was also responsible for the national collection of Diptera, and its title was changed to Division of Lepidoptera and Diptera in 1968. The title reverted to the original in 1974, when activities relating to Diptera were transferred to the Division of Nueropteroids. Around 1991, the Division ceased to be an administrative entity within the Department of Entomology.
Research staff of the Division of Lepidoptera (and the Division of Lepidoptera and Diptera) included William DeWitt Field, Associate Curator and Curator, 1963-1980; J.F. Gates Clarke, Curator, Senior Entomologist, and Research Associate, 1963-1990; Donald R. Davis, Associate Curator and Curator, 1963-1991; W. Donald Duckworth, Associate Curator and Curator, 1962-1984; John McLauren Burns, Associate Curator and Curator, 1975-1991; and Robert K. Robbins, Associate Curator and Curator, 1983-1991.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 218026
