FORUM: 
I'd like to bring up the possibility of choosing a recognizable insect 
to serve as the symbol of our society as a replacement for the current rather 
stylized one. Our current symbol is rather difficult to assign to order. 
We could choose one insect as a permanent symbol of the society, or use a 
different insect each year, or whatever. 
My first choice would be an odonate, perhaps an aeshnid or libelluid. 
Wisconsin is a state with many lakes and rivers and a large odonate fauna. 
Dragonflies are beneficial insects and a dragonfly would be a distinctive 
and easily recognized symbol. Any comments on this would be welcommed. 
Dean B. Faber 
(This department will appear whenever there is material for it. Basically, 
I see it as a place where opinions and suggestions can be stated about any 
aspect of the society, its current status, or its goals. Make your views 
about the society known! editor.) 
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGY - XIV 
by James W. Mertins 
Along with new programs in the 1960’s, some significant changes in 
emphasis occurred in existing programs. Whereas, in the late 1950’s, insect 
suppression with insecticides was an important aspect of the work of about 
50 % of the research staff, by the mid-sixties, insecticides were important 
to the work of less than 25 % of the research staff. For example. Prof. Norris’ 
initial attack on Dutch elm disease with systemic insecticides evolved into 
physiological studies on symbiosis of bark beetles, fungi, bacteria, and tree 
chemistry. When California encephalitis developed as a public health problem 
in Wisconsin, Prof. DeFoliart phased out insecticide research on livestock 
insects and expanded research on arboviruses. These and other moves were wise 
at the time. Continued testing of insecticides had frequently become an 
exercise in futility, and because of public attitudes and the lack of sufficient 
alternate technologies there were more opportunities for developing integrated 
pest suppression programs and the basics behind them. 
Following Prof. Dicke in the chairmanship of the department. Dr. Gene 
DeFoliart served from 1968 until late 1975. With a B.S. from Oklahoma State 
University and the Ph. D. from Cornell, where he specialized in medical and 
veterinary entomology from 1948-51, Dr. DeFoliart went first to the University 
of Wyoming as an assistant professor in 1951. At the time of his departure 
for Wisconsin in 1959, he held the rank of associate professor, and came to UW 
with fine qualifications to assume responsibilities for work on pests of man 
and animals. 
One of several significant advancements during Chairman DeFoliart’ s tenure 
was the acquisition of both a transmission electron microscope and a scanning 
E.M. A special laboratory with darkroom facilities, etc, for the machines was 
outfitted jointly with Plant Pathology in the basement of Russell Labs during 
2 
