Entomology


Entomology, from Ancient Greek ἔντομον, meaning "insect", and λόγος, meaning "study", is the branch of zoology that focuses on insects. Those who study entomology are known as entomologists. In the past, the term insect was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans. The field is also referred to as insectology in American English, while in British English insectology implies the study of the relationships between insects and humans.
Over 1.3million insect species have been described by entomology.

History

Entomology is rooted in nearly all human cultures from prehistoric times, primarily in the context of agriculture. The natural Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote a book on the kinds of insects, while the scientist of Kufa, Ibn al-A'rābī wrote a book on flies, . However scientific study in the modern sense began only relatively recently, in the 16th century. Ulisse Aldrovandi's De Animalibus Insectis was published in 1602. Microscopist Jan Swammerdam published The ''History of Insects, correctly describing the reproductive organs of insects and metamorphosis. In 1705, Maria Sibylla Merian published the book Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium about the tropical insects of Dutch Surinam.
Early entomological works associated with the naming and classification of species followed the practice of maintaining cabinets of curiosity, predominantly in Europe. This collecting fashion led to the formation of natural history societies, exhibitions of private collections, and journals for recording communications and the documentation of new species. Many of the collectors tended to be from the aristocracy, and there developed a trade involving collectors around the world and traders. This has been called the "era of heroic entomology". William Kirby is widely considered as the father of entomology in England. In collaboration with William Spence, he published a definitive entomological encyclopedia, Introduction to Entomology'', regarded as the subject's foundational text. He also helped found the Royal Entomological Society in London in 1833, one of the earliest such societies in the world; earlier antecedents, such as the Aurelian society date back to the 1740s. In the late 19th century, the growth of agriculture, and colonial trade spawned the "era of economic entomology" which created the professional entomologist associated with the rise of the university and training in the field of biology.
Entomology developed rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries and was studied by large numbers of people, including such notable figures as Charles Darwin, Jean-Henri Fabre, Vladimir Nabokov, Karl von Frisch, and twice Pulitzer Prize winner E. O. Wilson.
There has also been a history of people becoming entomologists through museum curation and research assistance, such as Sophie Lutterlough at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Insect identification is an increasingly common hobby, with butterflies and dragonflies being the most popular.
Most insects can easily be allocated to order, such as Hymenoptera or Coleoptera. However, identifying to genus or species is usually only possible through the use of identification keys and monographs. Because the class Insecta contains a very large number of species and the characteristics distinguishing them are unfamiliar, and often subtle, this is often very difficult even for a specialist. This has led to the development of automated species identification systems targeted on insects, for example, Daisy, ABIS, SPIDA and Draw-wing.

Applications

Pest control

In 1994, the Entomological Society of America launched a new professional certification program for the pest control industry called the Associate Certified Entomologist. To qualify as a "true entomologist" an individual would normally require an advanced degree, with most entomologists pursuing a PhD. While not true entomologists in the traditional sense, individuals who attain the ACE certification may be referred to as ACEs or Associate Certified Entomologists.
As such, other credential programs managed by the Entomological Society of America have varying credential requirements. These different programs are known as Public Health Entomology, Certified IPM Technicians, and Board Certified Entomologists . To be qualified in public health entomology, one must pass an exam on the types of arthropods that can spread diseases and lead to medical complications. These individuals also have to "agree to ascribe to a code of ethical behavior". Individuals who are planning to become Certified IPM Technicians, need to obtain at around 1–4 years of experience in pest management and successfully pass an exam, that is based on the information, with they are acquainted with. Like in Public Health Entomology, those who want to become Certified IPM Technicians also have to "agree to ascribe to a code of ethical behavior". These individuals must also be approved to use pesticides. For those who plan on becoming Board Certified Entomologists, individuals have to pass two exams and "agree to ascribe to a code of ethical behavior". As with this, they also have to fulfill a certain number of educational requirements every 12 months.

Forensics

is a branch of forensic science that studies insects found on corpses or elsewhere around crime scenes. This includes studying the types of insects commonly found on cadavers, their life cycles, their presence in different environments, and how insect assemblages change with decomposition.

Medicine

is focused upon insects and arthropods that impact human health. Veterinary entomology is included in this category, because many animal diseases can "jump species" and become a human health threat, for example, bovine encephalitis. Medical entomology also includes scientific research on the behavior, ecology, and epidemiology of arthropod disease vectors, and involves a tremendous outreach to the public, including local and state officials and other stake holders in the interest of public safety.

Subdisciplines

Many entomologists specialize in a single order or even a family of insects, and a number of these subspecialties are given their own generic names, typically derived from the scientific name of the group:
Like other scientific specialties, entomologists have a number of local, national, and international organizations. There are also many organizations specializing in specific subareas.
Here is a list of selected very large insect collections, housed in museums, universities, or research institutes.

Asia