Brackenridge Field Laboratory

The Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL) is an urban research station owned by the University of Texas at Austin.

Some of the key studies into the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and potential biocontrol agents such as phorid flies have originated at the field station.

Since 1973 the Brackenridge Field Laboratory has been a subject of controversy due to the high value of the land.

[3] In 1910, George Washington Brackenridge donated 500 acres (2.0 km2) located on the Colorado River to the university.

[8] Wild started an online image project known as "Insects Unlocked", which provides photographs of insects released to the public under the public domain; it has since amassed over 1,500 photographs, and Wild has said the database has seen use by government agencies.

A research building at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory.
Photograph of the Ludolph Heiligbrodt Collection taken as part of the "Insects Unlocked" project
Preserved Tropisternus lateralis specimen at the collection, part of the "Insects Unlocked" project