International Union for the Study of Social Insects


The International Union for the Study of Social Insects has at its purpose to promote and encourage the study of social insects and other social organisms in the broadest sense. Both research and the dissemination of knowledge about social insects and other social organisms through publications, educational programs, and activities are encouraged. The Union further pursues these objectives via the organization of Congresses and Symposia, publication of the journal Insectes Sociaux, and recognition of distinguished service with awards. National and regional sections play a key role in the IUSSI, with the sections organizing meetings, symposia, and newsletters.
The Union was founded in 1951 as a result of discussions at the International Entomological Congress in Amsterdam. Key figures in the establishment of the IUSSI were Pierre-Paul Grassé, T. C. Schneirla, Carlo Jucci, K. Gösswald, D. R. Gonçalves, and . Grassé took the lead in many matters in the early years of the IUSSI, including establishment of the Union's quarterly scientific journal, published since 1954, called Insectes Sociaux.
The Union was also originally referred to by its name in French, L'Union Internationale pour l'Étude des Insectes Sociaux, or UIEIS
Union Officers include a Secretary-General, who provides overall coordination and management of Union finances, the Editor of Insectes Sociaux, and the President. These offices are filled by recommendation of the international committee and vote of the general assembly at the Union's quadrennial International Congress. The President is the scientific organizer for the next International Congress and is a member of the section that will host the next Congress. It follows that the Union is organized into sections based on nationality or geographic region. Each section has its own activities, possibly including meetings and publications.

Secretaries-General

Until the 1973 Congress in London, the IUSSI was led by a committee consisting of the Presidents of the sections. Under the leadership of Charles D. Michener and G. LeMasne, a new constitution was adopted at the London Congress and the position of Secretary-General was created. Philip Howse of the University of Southampton was elected the first Secretary-General.
  • 2022–present
  • 2014-2022
  • 2006-2014
  • 2002-2006
  • 1994-2002
  • 1986-1994
  • 1977-1986

Editors, Insectes Sociaux

  • 2022–present
  • 2018-2022
  • 2014-2018
  • 1991-2014
  • Pierre Jaisson 1982-1990
  • 1973-1982
  • Jacques Lecomte 1963-1972
  • G. Richard 1954-1962

Sections

  • African Section
  • Australian Section
  • Bolivarian Section
  • Brazilian Section
  • Central European Section
  • French Section
  • Indian Section
  • Italian Section
  • Japanese Section
  • North American Section
  • Northwest European Section
  • Russian-speaking Section

Congresses

XIX Congress of the IUSSI, 03.07 - 07.07, 2022, San Diego, California, United States
President: Jennifer Fewell, Arizona State UniversityXVIII Congress of the IUSSI, 2018, Guarujá, state of São Paulo, Brazil
President: Klaus Hartfelder, University of São PauloXVII Congress of the IUSSI, 13.07 - 18.07, 2014, Cairns, Australia,
President: Benjamin Oldroyd, University of Sydney
Proceedings: http://www.iussi2014.com/downloads/IUSSI2014_Abstract_Book.pdf XVI International Congress of the IUSSI, 08.08 - 14.08, 2010, Copenhagen, Denmark,
President: Jacobus Boomsma, University of Denmark, Copenhagen
Proceedings: http://www.iussi.org/IUSSI2010/Media/IUSSI2010AbstractBook.pdf XV Congress of the IUSSI, 30.07 - 04.08, 2006, Washington, D.C., United States
President: Walter Tschinkel, Florida State UniversityXIV Congress of the IUSSI, 27.07 - 03.08, 2002, Sapporo, Japan
President: Tadao Matsumoto
Proceedings: Kikuchi, T. N., N. Azuma and S. Higashi, eds. 2003. Genes, Behaviors and Evolution of Social Insects. Hokkaido University Press ISBN： 978-4-8329-0317-3XIII Congress of the IUSSI, 29.12.98 - 04.01.99, 1998, Adelaide, Australia
President: Ross CrozierXII Congress of the IUSSI, 21.08 - 27.08, 1994, Paris, France
President: Pierre Jaisson, University of Paris XIII, Villetaneuse
Proceedings: Lenoir, Alain, Gérard Arnold & Michel Lepage, eds. Les insectes sociaux : UIEIS 94 : 12ème congrès de l'Union internationale pour l'étude des insectes sociaux, Paris, Sorbonne, 21-27 août 1994 = IUSSI 94 : 12th congress of the International union for the study of social insects / Villetaneuse : Publications Université Paris Nord, 1994. xxiv, 583 p. ; 22 cm. XI Congress of the IUSSI, 05.08 - 11.08, 1990, Bangalore, India
President: G. K. Veeresh
Proceedings: Veeresh, G. K., B. Mallik, and C. A. Viraktamath. 1991. Social Insects and the Environment: Proceedings of the 11th International Congress of Iussi, 1990 Brill Academic Pub X Congress of the IUSSI, 18.08 - 22.08, 1986, Munich, Germany President: Heinz Rembold
Proceedings: Eder, Jörg and Heinz Rembold, eds. 1987. Chemistry and biology of social insects: proceedings of the 10th International Congress, München, August 18–22, 1986, IUSSI Munchen : Peperny, 1987. IX Congress of the IUSSI, 1982, Boulder, Colorado,, held on 18, 19 and 20 September 1975, at the University of Dijon / Dijon: French Section of the I.U.S.S.I., 1975. vii, 248 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.