Introduction
In zoology, the formation of a scientific name for an
organism follows a strict set of rules adopted by The International Commission
on Zoological Nomenclature. This International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
serves to promote the stability, accuracy, and universality of an organism's
scientific name. Every proposed scientific name must be unique and distinct
from all other names. In this way, every named organism is a distinguishable
entity. However, scientific names are not always stable. Rules regulating dates
of priority, formation of names and the use of Latin for forming names are some
of the reasons that scientific names may change. To add to this confusion,
taxonomic studies could dictate that an organism be reassigned to a different
taxon, resulting in a change in its scientific name.
In contrast, common names of organisms, while not governed
by such strict rules, remain more stable than the scientific names. However,
the lack of standardization in common names, which often originate from
repeated usage by workers in a particular area, may result in one organism
being known by several different common names. Halysidota tessellaris
J.E. Smith, for example, is known as the checkered tussock moth in the UK and
as the pale tussock moth in the USA and Canada. Similarly, Acarus siro
Linnaeus is called the flour mite in Australia and the grain mite in the USA
and Canada.
The importance of correctly identifying an organism to a
non-scientific community, as well as to fellow researchers, made it apparent
that a standardized common name would allow everyone to know what organism was
being discussed in a particular locality. In response, several countries
adopted lists of authorized common names for those organisms most commonly
found in that country, including insects. The need for a common name list for
insects became apparent in the United States early in the twentieth century.
In 1903, the American Association of Economic Entomologists
(AAEE) formed a Committee on Nomenclature to assure the uniformity of names of
common insects; and in 1908, the AAEE published its first list, Common Names of
Insects Approved for General Use by American Association of Economic
Entomologists. It contained 142 common names. The current revised list of
common names of insects and related organisms supersedes all earlier lists
published since 1908. The list has grown exponentially throughout its
existence. In 1925, 541 names appeared on the list; in 1927, another 42 names
were added as a supplement. In 1931, the list had grown to 874 common names,
with the addition of another 22 supplemental names. Concomitantly, the
Entomological Society of America (ESA) established a Standing Committee on
Nomenclature in 1907. At its annual meeting in 1935, the AAEE changed the name
of the Committee on Nomenclature to the Committee on Common Names of Insects.
In 1940, a list of 1108 common names approved by the joint committees of the
AAEE and ESA was published. In 1950, 1294 names appeared on the list. In 1953,
the AAEE merged with the ESA, and the increase in the size of the common names
list continued. In 1970, another 299 names were added; and in 1978 the list was
computerized by ESA Headquarters. At the same time, the name of the list was
changed to Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms to reflect the other
arthropods and invertebrates included in the list. The edition published in
1989 contained 2,018 names. The final printed edition, published in 1997, added
another 28 names to the list. This new online version has another 46 names
added since 1997. From now on, new names will be added to the online database
as they are recommended by the committee and approved by the Governing Board.
For a comprehensive history of the common names of insects, see Chapin, 1989
(Bull. Entomol. Soc. Am., 35(3):177-180).
The authority of the Standing Committee on Common Names of
Insects, including its duties, methods of election to this committee,
composition of this committee, term of office of its committee members and its
operation is derived from the Bylaws of the ESA Constitution, Article X,
Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 16. Briefly, the committee consists of nine members
who serve three-year terms of office. At least one member should reside outside
the United States. The chairman is appointed for a one-year term. As stated in
Section 16, "the purpose of the committee shall be to maintain a list of
common names of insects, approved to be used in publications of The Society.
The Committee shall review proposals for common names and recommend names for
adoption. Common names are adopted by majority vote of The Governing Board.
Periodically, the Committee shall arrange for the publication of the list"
(revised June 8, 1992).
Authors of manuscripts submitted for publication in ESA
publications may use only ESA-approved common names. These publications are the
Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Environmental
Entomology, Journal of Economic Entomology, Journal of Medical
Entomology, Arthropod Management Tests, American Entomologist,
and the various Thomas Say publications.
Rules and Guidelines for Proposing a Common Name
The Common Name
Proposal Form for
submitting potential common names is available online. The following set of
rules has been established to guide an individual in the selection and
formation of a common name:
1. Included species, in most cases, will inhabit the United
States, Canada, or their possessions and territories. In special cases, other
species may be added.
2. The list of common names is intended to include those
insects and other invertebrates commonly of concern or interest to
entomologists because of their economic or medical importance, striking appearance,
abundant occurrence, or endangered status, or for any other sufficient reason.
3. A common name should consist of three words or fewer, but
four are permissible if justifiable.
4. Most names have two parts, one indicating the family or
group, and the other a modifier. In the case of names having two parts with one
of them being a group name as given in Section IV, the group name will be a
separate word when used in a sense that is systematically correct, as in
"house fly" and "bed bug." If the group name is not
systematically correct, it must be combined into a single word with a modifier,
as in "citrus whitefly" and "citrus mealybug." The
modifying part of the name should be based on some outstanding characteristic
of the organism itself, its damage, host, or distribution. Hyphens between
modifying words should be used only if the meaning is otherwise obscure.
5. The use of parts of the scientific name in the common
name is undesirable unless the words involved are well documented by usage as a
common name.
6. Nongeographic, proper names will be in the nominative
case.
7. Only in special cases should a species have more than one
common name.
8. In petitions regarding taxa warranting special concern in
both the larval and adult stage, the preferable name should be one suggested by
the appearance or habits of the more important or better-known stage, or the
one for which usage has become more established.
9. In all petitions for the adoption of new common names or
changes in those previously established, the fullest consideration should be
given to past usage and probable future usage. When practical, the opinions of
entomologists experienced with the taxa concerned should be obtained before
names are proposed. Members who wish to recommend new names or changes in
existing names should accept the responsibility for making the necessary
investigation. All available documented evidence, both for and against,
concerning the need for each proposed name should accompany the petition when
submitted.
Proposals for consideration by the committee should be
submitted via the online form:
1. Online proposals are sent to ESA headquarters and then
forwarded to the Committee Chair.
2. Upon receipt of a proper proposal, the Committee Chair
shall forward copies of the proposal to each member of the Committee.
3. Each Committee member shall review the submitted
materials and vote for or against the proposal. Votes should be returned to the
Chair within two weeks of receipt.
4. The Committee Chair shall tabulate the vote of the
Committee. For a proposal to be forwarded to the membership for comment, at
least 7 of the 9 Committee members must vote in favor of the proposal.
5. A rejected proposal shall be returned to the submitter
along with a summary of any comments by Committee members.
6. Proposals approved by the Committee shall be forwarded to
ESA headquarters for distribution to the ESA
membership. The comment period shall extend for 30 days after publication. Any ESA member disapproving a proposed common name is requested to submit
objections and evidence opposing the proposal to the Committee Chair in the
30-day period after publication.
7. If substantial objections to the proposal are received by
the Chair, the entire Committee shall reconsider the case and make a final
decision. At least 7 of the 9 members of the Committee must vote to override
the objection.
8. Recommended names are submitted by the Committee to the
Governing Board for final adoption. Final adoption is by majority vote of the
Governing Board.
9. Notice of final approval or rejection shall be distributed
to ESA members.
10. A summary of adopted common names shall be distributed to
ESA members.
In the event that a common name proposal is rejected, either
by the Committee or by the general membership, and the author wishes to
resubmit his proposal, specific procedures are to be followed:
1. The submitter must resubmit the proposal to the Common
Names Committee using the standard form and must address the written comments
separately. The proposal will be treated as an original proposal.
2. If the reason for the original rejection was other than
not completing the proposal forms correctly, then the submitter should address
the specific reasons for rejection, i.e., the insect is not economically
important, the common name is being used for another insect, the proposed
common name is misspelled, the scientific name is misspelled, the insect's
distribution is outside of the designed area of acceptance, or the common name
is composed incorrectly.
3. The Executive Committee of the Governing Board will serve
as a neutral final arbiter in the appeals process.
