Common Names Committee

What We Do

The Common Names Committee (CNC) is a standing committee that facilitates the development of, and standardization of, common names for the WFIWC, for submission to the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and the Entomological Society of Canada (ESC). If you are interested in becoming a Committee member, please contact one of the co-chairs. Current CNC members:

During the 2005 WFIWC meeting, new CNC Rules of Order were adopted that take into consideration the availability of new technologies, and the appropriateness in submitting the names to both the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and the Entomological Society of Canada (ESC).

Information on submissions of new names or changes in current ESA or ESC common names is detailed in the new CNC Rules of Order and related links. You may also view past submissions or review current submissions.

Calling All Members - we need your help with getting common named approved...

 

Western Forest Insects Update!

We support current efforts to update Western Forest Insects (Furniss, R.L.; Carolin, V.M.. 1977, reprinted in 1992. USDA Forest Service. Misc. Publ. 1339. 654p.). Here we provide information on how to find official English common names, and how to submit proposals for common names where warranted ones are lacking. Specific resources include:

a list of common names currently used in Western Forest Insects (WFI) but not considered official;

links to the official English common names websites of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and Entomological Society of Canada (ESC);

access to past and current proposal submissions to ESA (and ESC where appropriate) which contain useful information;

suggestions/examples for researching, recording, and reviewing common names for a genus or order (see example for Buprestidae and a blank Excel worksheet);

assistance with questions about common names encountered while updating text in WFI; and a protocol and form to facilitate submission warranted common names.

 

Western Forest Insects Book Revision

 
“Western Forest Insects” (Furniss, R.L. and V.M. Carolin, 1977, reprinted 1992.  USDA Forest Service MISC. Publ. 1339.  654 pp) was first published in 1977 and is considered by many to be the single most important western forest insect reference.  It was reprinted in the ‘90’s, but has not been revised since it was issued.  For a number of years, forest entomologists from all walks of the profession in the West, have encouraged/requested that the book be revised and updated.  Because there was so much new information, revised taxonomy, additional insects, and other significant changes, what originally started as a revision of this text, will result in a completely new book. The original “Western Forest Insects” will stand on its own merit as a document that will be referenced significantly in this new volume.  The text in the new book is a compilation of contributions from many entomologists, primarily from the west, but other parts of the U.S., as well.  It will truly be a reference for forest entomologists and the success of this book is a combined effort of forest entomologists, themselves, and can be considered their book.
 
Iral Ragenovich, entomologist for the USDA Forest Service, has been spearheading the endeavor.  Almost all of the book has been written, or is in the process of being written, with only a few insects left to be addressed.  It is intended that this book be printed in color to the extent possible – therefore, publisher quality color, or good quality black and white pictures, are needed.  If anyone has good quality pictures that they would like to contribute to the book, please contact Iral Ragenovich at iral.ragenovich@usda.gov or (503) 808-2915.

View past submissions, current submissions, or
a list of unapproved Western Forest Insect common names
(this list was last updated 2008)
 
Download a blank submission form (MSWord format, updated March 9, 2011)