[Back Talk]

BED BUG 2, BEDBUG 0

Recently, while reviewing an article in which I was quoted, I commented about the spelling of "bed bug." The article writer was using the condensed (one word) form of the name and I argued that it should be two words. This is consistent, I said, with the way other insect compound names are handled. The editor thanked me for my input and said they would "look into it."

I suspect I know what that means. The lumpers seem to be winning these days over the splitters, as you will see if you read Jodi Dorsch’s editorial in the March issue of PCT magazine (page 12). Dorsch tackles the "bedbug" vs. "bed bug" issue and comes out strongly in favor of "bed bug." She notes the arguments of at least one blogger, Michael Quinion, as the opposing point of view. I agree with Dorsch’s stance and applaud her efforts.

The traditional rule that I (and I believe most entomologists) learned for spelling insect names goes like this. Bed bugs are true "bugs" in the insect order Hemiptera. Typically when an insect name accurately identifies the order to which it belongs, it is spelled as two words (e.g., house fly). But when the insect common name includes an inaccurate descriptor of the insect order, it is spelled as a single word (e.g., dragonfly, which is not a true fly, but its own order). Check it out and you’ll see this rule is pretty consistent for insect common names (e.g., whitefly, inchworm, cutworm, billbug — none of which are true flies, worms or bugs).

I take some offense to Quinion’s statement that "the [one word] spelling has long since become standard for everybody except professional entomologists." Hey, wait a minute. Who, besides entomologists wrote about, or even cared about, bed bugs until bed bugs became hip a year or three ago? And with any kind of professional word, since when does one not look to professionals for guidance with spelling? If I want to know the proper spelling or pronunciation of a Macpherson strut, I ask a car mechanic. If I’m writing about a cerebrovascular accident (a.k.a., a stroke) I check my spelling with a medical dictionary. So it would follow that if someone is writing about insects, you would consult with an entomologist. Quinion dismisses any rules (substantiated by the official common names of insects guidelines published by the Entomological Society of America) as a quaint form of "folk entomology." Excuse me? I think I’ll go have a cerebrovascular accident.

Michael E. Merchant, Ph.D., BCE

Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist

Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center

Dallas, Texas

Editor’s note: Michael Malan is a junior at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For one of his classes he chose to do a project on the pest control industry and reached out to Craig Thomas of Craig Thomas Pest Control, Hyde Park, N.Y. Thomas not only was willing to help but he invited Malan to his monthly company meeting. This letter was sent to Thomas and his staff to thank them for the opportunity.

OPENING DOORS

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to spend time with your organization. My experience truly solidified the reasons why I will strive to be a part of a locally owned company in the future. After dealing with the individuals within your company for a full day it is easy to see why Craig Thomas Pest Control is the premier name in pest management in this area.

Every aspect of my experience was reflective upon the strong family environment that your organization exudes. From my first few phone conversations with your company I automatically felt as if I were dealing with people who truly cared. As with any new experience however I was still a bit nervous. That all changed almost as soon as I walked into the doors of your Hyde Park office. It was here where I was greeted by Jim Guston who made me feel right at home in a building which I had never been in and with people whom I had never met.

From that point on I learned an incredible amount of information about the many things that weigh into creating a successful pest management business. Although my day with your company may have seemed like a small favor, it has impacted my life greatly and I cannot thank you enough.

Michael Malan

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, New York