Growing pains: How the birth of the Entomological Society of Canada from the Entomological Society of Ontario affected the identity of the Ontario Society

摘要

T he histories of the Entomological Societies of Ontario and Canada are inextricably entwined. Both lay claim to the same founding story and early historical narrative yet also maintain their identities as distinct organizations. Superficially, the history is simple: the Entomological Society of Canada (ESC) was founded in 1863, and changed its name to the Entomological Society of Ontario (ESO) in 1871. The name change reflected the geopolitical changes of the period - Ontario was one half of the Province of Canada when the society was formed and part of the rapidly growing Dominion of Canada when the name changed - as well as a pledge of annual financial support from the government of Ontario received in that year (Saunders 1883). Despite its newname the ESO continued to operate as a national body for almost eighty years, with branches across the country. However, in the period after the Second World War a number of members began to suggest that it was time for the formation of a truly nationalsociety. Thus, in 1950 the ESC was founded and began to fulfill its chief function: "to serve as a national society and as the parent association of, or as the link between, the other entomological societies in Canada" (Ozburn 1950).