INSECTS AND HUMAN WELFARE — DUNCAN 341 



time also a factual basis for an adequate appreciation of the beneficial 

 aspects of insect life had not yet been sufficiently developed. For that 

 matter, there is real need at the present time for extensive and detailed 

 exploration of the beneficial activities of insects. In particular there 

 is a need for quantitative studies. The knowledge we now possess is 

 mostly of a qualitative nature. 



The goal of an aroused public interest in the study of injurious 

 insects has long since largely been achieved and adequate support for 

 research in economic entomology usually is available. We now 

 urgently need to round out the picture, to educate the lay public to 

 a realization of the vast amount of good that is done by insects as a 

 whole, to the end that balanced judgment shall determine the general 

 attitude toward insect-human relations and that all branches of en- 

 tomological research shall be recognized as meriting adequate support. 



There is at present a measure of real danger that the lay public, 

 animated by the conviction that insects constitute an enemy group, 

 may attempt to carry the matter of insect control, or rather, sup- 

 pression, too far. For the first time in the history of man's conflict 

 with insects the materials at his disposal make the unwise dream of 

 insect extermination seem possible of attainment, at least in localized 

 areas; or if this state of affairs has not yet been attained, at least it 

 seems to be not far away. If, therefore, man is to be spared costly 

 experiences in which his actions bring down upon him more harm 

 than good, it is essential that there be developed in the public mind 

 an appreciation of the beneficial activities of insects that will serve 

 to balance the already well-developed appreciation of their injurious 

 activities. 



The economic entomologist has a special responsibility in this con- 

 nection because of his frequent contacts with a segment of the public 

 which has a special reason for distrust of insects. Moreover, to ensure 

 the proper development of economic entomology in the years that lie 

 ahead, it is essential that the economic entomologist recognize and 

 accept this responsibility as many of them individually already have 

 done. It is becoming increasingly evident that the carrying out of 

 proper measures for the control of injurious insects is not simply a 

 matter of applying a sufficiently lethal insecticide. Rather it requires 

 that each species be regarded in the light of the entire complex ecologi- 

 cal picture of which it is a part, and that control measures be selected 

 accordingly. It often happens that insects that are injurious under 

 one set of conditions or circumstances are of no consequence or are 

 beneficial under others. A correct appraisal of the economic status 

 of many an insect, therefore, cannot be made by the farmer but only 

 by a well-trained economic entomologist who has a broad knowledge 

 of general insect ecology. A great deal of time and money is now 

 "tasted in so-called "insurance spraying" which might be saved or 



