This post was created in collaboration with Hilda Gitchell, Archives Technician in the Still Picture Branch
As the summer winds down and we brace ourselves for a transition to cooler (albeit still humid) weather, we would like to say goodbye and good riddance to a constant presence in most outdoor summer plans: the mosquito. August 20th is designated as World Mosquito Day, which commemorates the discovery that mosquitoes were the main culprits of transmitting malaria to humans. What an exciting event to celebrate!
The holdings of the Still Picture Branch represent decades of attempts to mitigate the torment of the mosquito’s ability to transmit malaria. These efforts were especially prevalent during World War II, with members of the military resorting to….unique ways of repelling the pests.
Of course, these efforts weren’t just so that they could avoid the errant bug bite, but to ward off malaria. Those fighting in the Pacific Theater were especially susceptible due to mosquitoes favoring the tropical climate, and Malaria Control Units were quickly assembled to help control the spread by informing soldiers and local populations about the most effective ways to combat the disease. They would also be responsible for locating areas more likely to contain mosquito larvae and stopping infestations at their source.
As soldiers battled mosquitoes in the Pacific, entomologists from both the Army and the U.S. Department of Agriculture were hard at work learning about their insectoid enemies. Established in 1942 by the Public Health Service, the Office of Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA) contributed to research incorporating DDT in mosquito repellents (with even entomologists using themselves as test subjects!) and providing education to those on the home front through colorful posters detailing the threat mosquitoes pose.
Local ID: 16-G-73-N-4496 | Entomologist engaged in repellant research uses own arms for these tests. 
Local ID: 16-G-73-N-4391 | Capt. David G. Hall and Dr. Alan Stone examine a drawer filled with mounted mosquito specimens. 
Local ID: 16-G-73-N-6503 | Edna Hinchey adds DDT to distilled water for testing on mosquito larvae 
Local ID: 16-G-73-S-9541 | Unidentified child adds repellant to a sprayer
Of course, not everyone can get their hands on military-grade mosquito repellent. The summer poses a dilemma – cover yourself to protect from bites or keep cool with less clothing? Our photos show an affinity for mosquito netting and working covered head-to-toe, but in this heat we couldn’t imagine enjoying ourselves too much at the beach in full gear.
So the next time summer rolls around, make sure to put on your mosquito netting, grab your mosquito repellant, and let those pests know you’re not afraid of them! Or stay inside, read a good book, and wait for Fall. We won’t judge.
Some of the items in this article are not yet available in the catalog. Links will be added as they become available. If you would like to know more about Still Picture holdings, please contact us at stillpix@nara.gov. Records from all NARA custodial units that have recently been uploaded to the catalog can be viewed here: https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/whats-new.
PUBLICATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FURNISHED BY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES STILL PICTURE BRANCH-RRSS
Generally, copies of photographic records held by the National Archives may be published without special permission or additional fees. The National Archives does not grant exclusive or non-exclusive publication privileges. Copies of Federal records, as part of the public domain, are equally available to all. A small percentage of photographs in our holdings are or may be subject to copyright restrictions. The National Archives does not confirm the copyright status of photographs but will provide any information known about said status. It is the user’s responsibility to obtain all necessary clearances. Any use of these items is made at the researcher’s or purchaser’s own risk.
Proper credit lines are encouraged in the interest of good documentation. They also help inform the public about government photographic resources that are available. Detailed information about citing records in the National Archives can be found at https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/general-info-leaflets/17-citing-records.pdf.
*Because so many of our requests for information cite credits and captions that appear in published works, the inclusion of a photo number in hard copy and electronic publications is of great assistance to both us and the public.
Examples of preferred credit lines are as follows:
National Archives photo no. 80-G-32500
Credit National Archives (photo no. 306-NT-186000)
Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 26-G-3422
National Archives (111-SC-202199)
If using a large number of our images, the National Archives will appreciate receiving copies of publications that contain our photographs. Such copies can be sent to the Still Picture Branch or the Library, National Archives and Records Administration.
Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The National Archives reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
This is such a cool post, thank you for writing and sharing this!