Instructions to Authors of American Entomologist (AE)

About the Magazine

American Entomologist (AE) is a quarterly magazine that offers a variety of peer-reviewed articles accessible to a wide entomology audience.  We welcome topics such as personal reflections on research or leadership, educational articles, or how entomology is reflected in literature, culture, etc. As a four-color magazine, AE also spotlights the beauty and variety of insects through imagery and photography. We encourage the submission of narrative-style articles relevant to a wide entomology audience with visually interesting illustrations, including photographs. Generally, we ask that research-oriented articles that highlight the results of experiments are submitted to more appropriate scientific journals, excluding AE. 

Submit Here

In these author guidelines are descriptions of manuscript types (e.g., columns, articles), most of which will accommodate authors who wish to submit manuscripts to AE, followed by directions for manuscript preparation, which apply to all submissions unless otherwise indicated for specific columns or article types.
Following is a summary of types of articles and other types of submissions that authors may consider for potential publication in AE. Click on the hyperlink to access each type of submission.
 

1. Letters to the Editor
2. Columns
   • a) Field and Bench
   • b) Musings
   • c) Buzzwords
   • d) Legends
   • e) Signals
   • f) Through the Loupe
   • g) Book Reviews
   • h)Obituaries
   • j) Entomology for All
   • j) Student Stadia
   • k) Subimago
   • l) Ethos
3. Feature Articles
4. Manuscript Preparation and Submission
5. Illustrations and Photographs
6. References and in-text citations
7. Supplemental Material

More information about Manuscript Preparation and Submission and about Supplemental Materials.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor in response to past issues of American Entomologist are welcomed. Letters must address the content of articles or raise legitimate concerns about the magazine. Letters should never be used as vehicles for personal attacks on authors. Legitimate disagreements are acceptable, but must be addressed appropriately. Authors of articles may be requested to reply to a letter. Substantial letters may be considered for publication in one of the magazine columns

Columns

The following columns published in AE are led by editors who manage submissions focused on topics relevant to the title of the column. Submitting authors may request a specific column for publication or may be asked about their willingness to have their submitted articles published within a given column relevant to the topic.

• Field and Bench—This column focuses on advice, tools, and case studies to  share experiences doing research in the lab and in the field.  We are looking for short, creative stories about insights gleaned from your field or lab experiments. This is an opportunity to write about a project that fueled your passion or left you with memories of people and places that you would like to share. Field and Bench articles are interesting stories that give readers a greater appreciation for the various landscapes or people connected, sometimes indirectly, to entomological science. Submissions should be no more than 2,200 words. Authors are encouraged to provide 2–3 images to illustrate their article, if possible (see Illustrations and Photographs for guidelines).
• Musings—This column spotlights personal reflections on the life of an insect scientist (e.g., an exciting observation, discovery, creative anecdote). Submissions should be no more than 1,400 words. Authors are encouraged to provide 1–2 images to illustrate their article, if possible (see Illustrations and Photographs for guidelines).
• Buzzwords—– This is a regular column written by May Barenbaum, that began in the early 1990s, that covers humorous topics surrounding entomology.
• Legends — This is a regular column written by Marlin E. Rice that presents interviews with entomologists who reflect on their lives and accomplishments over a lifetime.
  • Potential interviewees must meet the following criteria:
    • Age: The Legends column celebrates the lifetime achievements of an individual. As such, interviewees needed to be at least 70 years old to truly capture their lifetime achievements.
    • Impact: The interviewee must have made a significant impact upon entomology, or science more broadly. As part of this, we look at research accomplishments, membership in AAAS, NAS, and many other factors.
    • Face-to-face interview: Generally, while flexible, we require a face-to-face interview with candidates since it can produce a successful format for generating productive conversation.
    • Interesting story: Lastly, the legend must potentially have an interesting story to tell.
• Signals—This column focuses on topics related to teaching or communicating about entomology. For example, you can publish an example of how you shared entomological themes with various audiences or how you created unique educational opportunities. Submissions should be no more than 2,200 words. Authors are encouraged to provide 2–3 images to illustrate their article, if possible (see Illustrations and Photographs for guidelines).
• Through the Loupe is a photo feature showcasing the best and most arresting photographs of arthropods and their environments. Submissions should be high-quality color photographs, ideally shot in vertical orientation, accompanied by a caption of 30–40 words. Photos must be 300 dpi or more in resolution and 8.375 inches x 11 inches.
• Book Reviews are solicited by the ESA book reviews editor. Submissions by solicited authors should be no more than 900 words.
• Obituaries briefly review and honor the lives of recently deceased ESA members. Submissions should be no more than 850 words and should include a photograph (see Illustrations and Photographs for guidelines).
• Entomology for All articles highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion topics that impact the entomology community. Submissions are handled by the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
• Student Stadia articles reflect the experiences of current entomology students. Submissions are handled by the Student Affairs Committee. Submit an article preview (250 words max) about your topic idea and the goals of your article. The Student Affairs Committee will select the best content idea and the selected person will write a one-page article (maximum of 800 words)
• Formerly known as ZYZZYVA, "Subimago” provides a platform for Early Career Professionals (ECPs) to share a short writing piece. Often, these articles tackle issues in entomology from an ECP perspective, which includes science-related, professional development and career, and other topics related to the ECP experience. Articles must have a unique or personal angle; something differentiating them from previous submissions or treatments of a topic. For example, most entomologists are aware that insect diversity has declined over time. If you were to write an article about this, how would you make it your own? Data-driven editorials, opinion pieces, stories (serious, comical, or anything in between), and a multitude of other submissions are welcome. Articles are curated by the Early Career Professionals Committee. Submissions should be no more than 600 words.
• Ethos - This interdisciplinary column addresses ethical challenges in entomological research, industry, outreach, and teaching. Each article should identify and discuss a single ethical challenge. Submissions should be (a) between 800-1,000 words (excluding references), (b) written for a broad audience, and (c) co-authored, with the team including at least one entomologist and one ethicist. Submissions are handled by the column co-editors, Meghan Barrett (entomologist) and Bob Fischer (ethicist). For more information about the column goals and style, please refer to: https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmad016

Feature Articles

Feature articles cover subjects of broad interest to professional and amateur entomologists. Potential subject areas for Feature articles include, but are not limited to, cultural entomology, entomological history and heritage, policy, extension or outreach, and innovation. If you are unsure whether your feature topic idea is a fit for American Entomologist, please contact the editorial office at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you. Articles should be no longer than 3,500 words. High-quality photographs—black-and-white or color—or other images should be submitted along with the manuscript (see Illustrations and Photographs for guidelines).

Manuscript Preparation and Submission

All submissions for American Entomologist must be submitted via the official submission form.

Submit Here

The following manuscript preparation guidelines streamline the editing and review processes. Please follow these guidelines to avoid delays in processing your manuscript.

• The manuscript should be in MS Word format (PC).
• Upload any images/figures as separate TIFF, EPS, or JPG files.
• Please provide a one- or two-sentence author bio in your article.
• If you have a hi-res image that you would like to submit as the cover of the issue, please attach it with your submission.

Title Page

At the beginning of your document, include the following information: author name (s), e-mail address of the corresponding author who will receive and approve the page proofs, and the column or article type that best describes your submission.

Plagiarism and text recycling

All submitted papers are evaluated for excessive direct copying through CrossRef’s Ithenticate service. Papers should be written in the authors’ own words. 

No portions of text are directly copied from other sources. Direct quotes should be placed in quotation marks. 

Ethics

Authors should observe high standards with respect to publication ethics as set out by ESA and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any cases of ethical misconduct are treated very seriously and will be dealt with in accordance with ESA's author misconduct policy and the COPE guidelines. Further information about OUP's ethical policies is available on our ethics page.

Illustrations and Photographs

Figures and pictures should be provided electronically in either TIFF, EPS, or JPG format. Images pasted into Word become low-resolution and cannot be used in print. All image submissions should be 300 dpi and should not be resampled or cropped. (The highest resolution possible produces the best result for print magazines.)  When taking pictures, make sure that your digital camera is set to take large format photos. Line art should be at 1,200 dpi in bitmap (line) mode. Lettering should be typed and legible. 

All papers should be accompanied by information on the credited photographer or copyright holder. If the photographer or copyright holder is not an author on the paper, then permission must be granted by the copyright holder. If the image in question is free from copyright, either because it is in the public domain or because it was published under a Creative Commons license, please provide the editorial office with that information.

Contact the ESA publications office at (301) 731-4535 or [email protected] with questions concerning the preparation of artwork, copyright/permissions to use artwork, or if you need to submit image files that are too large to transmit via e-mail.

References and in-text citations

The ESA Journals are transitioning to the new reference style described below. Please use this style for all new and revised manuscripts.

The ESA Journals style is based on the Council of Science Editors 9^th Edition Name-year style. Authors may download the Entomological Society of America style from Endnote and Zotero.

In-text citations:

For materials with one author, enclose the first author’s surname and the publication year in parentheses, for example (Chang 1999) or (Smith 1970, 1975) to cite multiple works from the same author. For materials with two authors use both authors’ surnames and the year of publication: (Mazan and Hoffman 2001). For 3 or more authors use the first author’s surname and “et al.” like this example: (Ito et al. 1999). Finally, to cite more than one reference: list materials chronologically as follows: (Singh 2011, Davidson 2015, Harding 2018).

Here are some basic formatting points for the bibliography:

• Only reference published and formally accepted (in press) articles.
• List references alphabetically by first author surname. List multiple references from the same author chronologically.
• Add an alphabetic designator to the year in the in-text and end reference when there are references from the same author in the same year, for example: (Johnson 2023a, 2023b)
• Author names are given surname first, followed by initials—with no punctuation except for commas between authors and a period at the end.
• Include all author names unless there are more than 3. If a reference has 4 or more authors, give only the first 3 names followed by “et al.” and the publication year.
• For journal references, volume number is required. Issue number is optional.
• Abbreviate journal titles according to the List of Title Word Abbreviations: Access to the LTWA | ISSN (see examples)
  • Journal of Medical Entomology: J. Med. Entomol.
  • Journal of Economic Entomology: J. Econ. Entomol.
  • Annals of the Entomological Society of America: Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.
• Do not abbreviate non-English titled journals.
• Systematics-related articles may specify that all serial titles be spelled out for final publication.
• When available, include the stable doi URL at the end of the reference or the doi.

Sample reference styles

Journal Article

Author surname(s) and initial(s), et al. Publication year. Article title. Abbreviated Journal Title. Volume number:start page-end page. [stable doi URL] or DOI:doi

Schmidt LS, Schmidt JO, Rao H, et al. 1995. Feeding preference and survival of young worker honey bees (hymenoptera: Apidae) fed rape, sesame, and sunflower pollen. J. Econ. Entomol. 88:1591-1595. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/88.6.1591.

Book

Author surname(s) and initial(s), et al. Publication year. Editor(s). Book title, edition. Publisher.

Gravena S, Sterling W, Dean A. 1985. Abstracts, references, and key words of publications relating to the cotton worm Alabama argillacea (Huebner), (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).Entomological Society of America.

Section/Chapter in Book

Author surname(s) and initial(s), et al. Publication year. Title of Chapter in an Edited Book. In: Editor(s). Book Title. Edition. Publisher. Pages.

Corporations or Organizations as authors

Organization. Publication year. Title. Abbreviated journal title. Available from: URL

White House. 2015a. National strategy to promote the health of honey bees and other pollinators. Pollinator Health Task Force. Available from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator%20Health%20Strategy%202015.pdf

White House. 2015b. Pollinator research action plan. Report of the Pollinator Health Task Force. Available from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator%20Research%20Action%20Plan%202015.pdf

Patents

Author surname(s) and initial(s), inventor(s): Assignee name, assignee. Year. Title. Country Patent Number.

Pound M, Miller A, LeMeilleur A, inventors: Opthalmic Ventures, assignee. 1994. Device and method for use as an aid in control of ticks and other ectoparasites on wildlife. United States US5,367,983.

Conference Paper

Author surname(s) and initial(s), et al. Publication year. Title. Paper Presented at: Conference Name; Conference date; Conference Location. Publisher.

Proceedings

Editor(s). Publication year. Title. Conference name; Date year of Conference; Conference Location. Place Published: Publisher.

Theses/Dissertations

Author surname(s) and initial(s), et al. Publication year. Title [Thesis type]. University. URL if available.

Barrufaldi APF. 2015. Temperatures of constant and floating influence on the biological characteristics of Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in successive generations [Master’s dissertation]. Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/135938.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental materials may be submitted in the form of one or more files to accompany the online version of an article. Such material often consists of large tables, data sets, or videos that are not possible or convenient to present in print media. Supplemental material represents substantive information to be posted online that enhances and enriches the information presented in the main body of a paper; however, the paper must stand on its own without the need for the reader to access the supplemental information to understand and judge the merits of the paper. All supplemental material must be provided at the time of manuscript submission and will be distributed to reviewers as part of the normal peer-review process. It will not be edited during production and will be published as submitted.

Additional guidelines for supplemental material:

• Supplemental materials must be referenced in the body of the main paper (e.g., Supp. Table S1), where a link will take the online reader to the file.
• Supplemental materials must be labeled with appropriate titles and captions.
• Citations for any literature referenced within a supplemental file should be listed in a References Cited section at the end of the file, even when a citation is duplicated in the main body of the paper.
• Videos should be a reasonable size to facilitate downloading by readers.

Please contact the editorial office at [email protected] if you have questions about supplemental material or need to submit supplemental files that are too large to transmit via e-mail.