Breaking Barriers in Entomology: The Better Common Names Project

Abstract

ARE THERE OTHER AREAS IN OUR SCIENCE WHERE OUR COMMON LANGUAGE CONTRIBUTES TO THE UBIQUITY OF RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA? IF YES, HOW CAN WE ADJUST IT TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND RESPECTFUL? Common names of insects and related arthropods were formally recognized in the United States in the early 20th century to help bridge communication between those who study insects and those who don’t. However, not all common names accepted over the past 120 years align with the goal of better communication; instead of acting as bridges, some act as barriers. ESA’s Better Common Names Project (www.entsoc.org/better-common-names-project) is an effort to identify and change common names of insects and related arthropods that are offensive, derogatory, exclusionary, and/or dehumanizing. One of the end goals is to make entomology and sectors of the public that interact with entomology more inclusive, respectful, and effective. The project was announced in July...