Recent articles by Perry (1986, J. Econ. Entomol. 79: 1149–1155) and Jones&Matloff (1986, J. Econ. Entomol. 79: 1156–1160) have explored some of the current abuses of statistical hypothesis testing. Jones&Matloff suggest that only estimation, and no statistical hypothesis testing, should be performed. We express the alternative view that there is an inherent relationship in estimation and hypothesis testing and that each provides information which the other does not. We address some of the concerns that have been expressed about statistical hypothesis testing and show how they are present when using estimation. When the goal of sampling is to determine whether an insect population should be controlled chemically, sequential hypothesis testing is preferred to estimation procedures.