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.
Key figures in the establishment of the IUSSI were Pierre-Paul Grassé (France), T. C. Schneirla (U.S.A.), Carlo Jucci (Italy), K. Gösswald (Germany), D. R. Gonçalves (Brazil), and Tohru Uchida (Japan).
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.
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.
Hokkaido University Press ISBN： 978-4-8329-0317-3 President: Ross Crozier President: Pierre Jaisson, University of Paris XIII, Villetaneuse Proceedings: Lenoir, Alain, Gérard Arnold & Michel Lepage, eds.
Social Insects and the Environment: Proceedings of the 11th International Congress of Iussi, 1990 (International Union for the Study of Social Insects) Brill Academic Pub ISBN 9004093168 Proceedings: Eder, Jörg and Heinz Rembold, eds.
Wageningen : Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documentation, ISBN 9022006409 President: C. G. Butler Proceedings: Proceedings of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects VIIth International Congress, London, 10–15 September 1973. c/o Dr P.E.
Pheromones and defensive secretions in social insects : the proceedings of a symposium [of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects], 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.