Many researchers work on Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles), carrying out investigations that range from systematics to chemical controls. We read each others works in a huge range of journals. If we are lucky, we can travel to society meetings from time to time and meet some of our colleagues. However, it is rare for us to meet in large numbers, communicate often, or have opportunity to catch up in a more relaxed way on the personal side of our colleagues. Since it first appeared in 1979, the newsletter Chrysomela has been circulated to anyone with professional or amateur interests on these lovely beetles. Terry Seeno, the first editor, wrote in Issue 1 that its purpose was for “…the dissemination and information about the Chrysomelidae and the students of this group”. He developed the layout and solicited the contributions. He grew the network to over 300 recipients. In 2003, I took over from Terry as Editor of the newsletter, aiming to prepare two issues annually with approximate spring and fall issues. The timing is not always perfect due to slow submissions and to my own schedule (this is an unpaid volunteer exercise). But, even in the internet age, each issue helps to connect within our community, catching up on new research, career changes, and keeping up with established colleagues and “meeting” new enthusiasts. I would prefer fewer orbituaries — I feel losses of senior experts deeply because I have gotten to know these individuals personally. Maybe in the future, our Facebook group, “Chrysomelidae Forum”, will become the more efficient device for wide communications, but it is still nice to have a place where we can read more lengthy accounts from the personal perspective. I am pleased to circulate Chrysomela issue 45 this month. Download this (and older issues) from the Coleopterists Society’s website: http://www.coleopsoc.org/chrys/Chrysomela55-2017-FinalC.pdf
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