In February and March 2024, the Entomological Society of America's Better Common Names Project collected comments from the entomology community on the possible future selection of alternative common names for nine arthropod species:
- Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
- Japanese broadwinged katydid (Holochlora japonica)
- Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
- Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)
- Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri)
- Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi)
- Oriental stink bug (Plautia stali)
- Asiatic rice borer (Chilo suppressalis)
- African mole cricket (Gryllotalpa africana)
The Better Common Names Project (BCNP) chose these nine as priority species for renaming because their existing common names (1) include terms of ethnicity, nationality, or geographic origin that inadvertently create associations between invasive pest status and groups of people; (2) have significant public usage; (3) are used in U.S. federal government regulatory documents; and (4) are among those most frequently cited by entomologists and members of the public as names needing reconsideration.
No specific timetable has been determined to remove or replace these common names in the ESA Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List.
ESA asked members, entomologists, and others who work with these species in a professional role to provide comment and feedback on the need for new common names for these species and the potential impact of adopting new names.
The BCNP also sought volunteers to serve on working groups to study, evaluate, and propose new common names for these species. Working groups will be formed in mid-2024.
This preliminary comment period closed March 31, 2024. The BCNP Task Force will review feedback to inform next steps.
Background and Frequently Asked Questions
The ESA Better Common Names Project was created in 2021 to gather community input on ESA's Common Names List and direct the formation of working groups to develop and recommend new common names as needed.
In March 2021, the ESA Governing Board approved new policies for acceptable insect common names, which bar names referencing ethnic or racial groups and names that might stoke fear; the policies also discourage geographic references, particularly for invasive species.
Why have these nine insect common names been chosen to be replaced?
These nine common names include terms of ethnicity, nationality, or geographic origin that inadvertently create associations between invasive pest status and groups of people. In addition, these names have significant public usage, including U.S. federal government regulatory documents. These nine names were also among those most frequently cited when the BCNP asked entomologists and members of the public about which insect common names should be replaced.
What about other insect common names that use similar terms?
Many names in the ESA Common Names List include terms of ethnicity, nationality, or geographic origin. When paired with insects deemed invasive or targeted for control or eradication, such terms can inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes about groups of people—particularly those who have been historically marginalized or discriminated against. Some of these insect common names may also warrant change in the future.
The BCNP chose to prioritize the nine names listed above based on their impact and to work within the limited time, energy, and resources available among volunteers and staff for this effort. In other words, the BCNP can actively facilitate only a small number of renaming efforts at a time.
However, as always, any member of the entomology community may develop and submit a formal proposal to change any common name for an insect species in ESA's Common Names List. The ESA Committee on Insect Common Names will evaluate any such proposals following its existing guidelines.
Why does this list include a high proportion of names with terms related to Asian geographic origin (Asian, Asiatic, Oriental, Japanese)?
As noted above, many names in the ESA Common Names List use terms of ethnicity, nationality, or geographic origin related to many regions of the globe. When paired with insects deemed invasive or targeted for control or eradication, such terms can inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes about groups of people. All such names in the ESA Common Names List may warrant eventual replacement. The nine names in the list above constitute the beginning of an effort that will expand in scope in the future.
More specifically, the BCNP chose to start with these names for a combination of reasons: Historically, terms associated with Asia have frequently been attached to pest species of Asian origin that are invasive in other regions. Many of those species are also highly impactful pests, meaning their common names are widely used by the public. These names were also among those cited most frequently by commenters when the BCNP asked for community input on names that should be considered for replacement. Finally, the BCNP has chosen species regulated by the U.S. federal government to allow coordinated efforts in government agencies to adopt new names simultaneously, rather than on an ad hoc basis.
As these common names are addressed, the BCNP will seek to address more. However, as noted above, members of the entomology community may develop and submit formal proposals to change other names in the ESA Common Names List, as well. The ESA Committee on Insect Common Names will evaluate any such proposals following its existing guidelines.
How and when will new common names for these insect species be decided?
The BCNP aims to form volunteer working groups in mid-2024 for each of the nine common names listed above. Working groups will be tasked to engage their communities to research new names, build consensus for new names, and submit final proposals for new names that fall within ESA's common names policies. Proposals will then be reviewed by the ESA Common Names Committee, and accepted proposals will then go to a member comment period for 30 days. After the member comment period, proposals can be adjusted as needed. Otherwise, final proposals are submitted to the ESA Governing Board for final approval.
The target timeline for working groups to develop and submit proposals for new names is not yet determined. However, the BCNP plans to set a date in the future for all nine names to be replaced simultaneously in the ESA Common Names List, to ease transition efforts for government agencies and other organizations that frequently communicate about these species.