Advancing Western Entomology
Members of WFIWC frequently support significant efforts to advance western entomology. These efforts extended beyond traditional publications in peer reviewed literature or books. Explore some of these below.
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115 Years of Photography
Western Forest Insects Revision
Common Names
Furniss, R.L., & Carolin, V.M. (1977, reprinted 1992). Western Forest Insects. Miscellaneous publication 1339. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 654 p.
Western Forest Insects Book Revision
“Western Forest Insects” (Furniss and Carolin 1977) 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.
Many common names were used in “Western Forest Insects” that are not officially recognized by either the Entomological Society of America (ESA) or Entomological Society of Canada (ESC). If interested in advancing approved common names to match or improve on those used in the 1977 publisher version, please contact Iral Ragenovich or the WFIWC Common Names Committee. A list of these insects is provided below along with information for considering numerous similar insects concurrently.