WVES History | Entomology Lab | West Virginia University

Written by Ed Estep

Being a charter member (WVU Grad. 1953 -BS Chemistry) of the WVES, I can recall the formation meeting of the society from firsthand experience. I recall many summer trips to Brooks Hall, the herbarium on Beech Hurst Ave. as well as Core’s Arboretum out towards the Med Center at the top of the hill. Of course, this new campus was not there in the early days at WVU (in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s). Being an amateur photographer (using only film) I had made many mounted specimen contributions to the WVU herbarium from Wetzel, Marshall and Tyler Counties. Towards the end of the 70’s I had even made several specimen contributions to C arnegie Mellon Museum of Natural History. One day, in the late 70’s Linda Rader suggested that I stop out at the new Evansdale Campus and visit Linda Butler and see their Entomological Collection. This, I subsequently did and was pleased to learn from Prof. Linda Butler that she was considering the formation of a society that would link many West Virginia entomologists. This formation meeting was envisioned to tentatively be held at North Bend State Park Lodge, early in January 1980, since it is basically accessible to most entomologically oriented people around the State. Additionally, it is not far from major highways which likely would remain clear in the winter months.

At the formation meeting, chaired by Dr. Linda Butler, and attended entomologically oriented people from around the State formed a society , naming it the West Virginia Entomological Society (WVES), drafted a set of by laws, set dues, selected a state insect, the elderberry borer, Desmocerus palliatus (because of the blue and gold colors of the insect), and incorporated into a logo which was then affixed to white t-shirts to be sold to the membership and their families.

It was concurred by all, to always have the winter business meeting at centrally located North Bend. At early WVES meetings we discussed organizational mechanisms and ongoing entomological studies that the membership was occupied with. Then, it was also decided to have one fun filled collecting summer meeting on a weekend late in July and every year but at different locations around the State. The summer meeting location would be decided at the previous winter meeting and typically starting Friday night till late Saturday or even till Sunday afternoon.

During the 80’s meetings at North Bend, I presented Linda Butler with a Gavel - which I had fabricated with native black locust – with her name and the year of her presidency (Presidents serve one year after elections are held at the winter meeting). From then on, this gavel was used for years until it was filled with names. Now the retired black locust gavel has a home at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Insect Museum in Guthrie, near Charleston, and a new one has replaced it which was started by Tom McCutcheon the acting president at that time.

The original membership drew mostly from West Virginia University, Forest Service, West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Marshall University. Subsequent years saw others form the northern panhandle, Wheeling College and Brooks Bird Club who brought their own interests.

All in all, the WVES has had a positive influence on the development of entomological efforts in West Virginia and the surrounding area. In general, it generates a very satisfying and rewarding feeling for those who watched it grow. Initially, Linda Butler said that this organization is intended not only for professional entomologists, but for those (like me) who are non-professional, and it is certainly very rewarding to see entomological efforts catalyze and benefit in the area. Being a charter member (WVU Grad. 1953-BS Chemistry) of the WVES, I can recall the formation meeting of the society from firsthand experience. I recall many summer trips to Brooks Hall, the herbarium on Beech Hurst Ave. as well as Core’s Arboretum out towards the Med Center at the top of the hill. Of course, this new campus was not there in the early days at WVU (in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s). Being an amateur photographer (using only film) I had made many mounted specimen contributions to the WVU herbarium from Wetzel, Marshall and Tyler Counties. Towards the end of the 70’s I had even made several specimen contributions to Carnegie Mellon Museum of Natural History. One day, in the late 70’s Linda Rader suggested that I stop out at the new Evansdale Campus and visit Linda Butler and see their Entomological Collection. This, I subsequently did and was pleased to learn from Prof. Linda Butler that she was considering the formation of a society that would link many West Virginia entomologists. This formation meeting was envisioned to tentatively be held at North Bend State Park Lodge, early in January 1980, since it is basically accessible to most entomologically oriented people around the State. Additionally, it is not far from major highways which likely would remain clear in the winter months.

It was con curred by all, to always have the winter business meeting at centrally located North Bend. At early WVES meetings we discussed organizational mechanisms and ongoing entomological studies that the membership was occupied with. Then, it was also decided to have one fun filled collecting summer meeting on a weekend late in July and every year but at different locations around the State. The summer meeting location would be decided at the previous winter meeting and typically starting Friday night till late Saturday or even till Sunday afternoon.