Entomology (from Ancient Greek ἔντομον (entomon) 'insect' and - λογία ( -logia ) 'study') is the scientific study of insects , a branch of zoology . 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 . This wider meaning may still be encountered in informal use. 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.
32-520: The family Gryllidae contains the subfamilies and genera which entomologists now term true crickets . Having long, whip-like antennae , they belong to the Orthopteran suborder Ensifera , which has been greatly reduced in the last 100 years ( e.g. Imms ): taxa such as the tree crickets , spider-crickets and their allies, sword-tail crickets, wood or ground crickets and scaly crickets have been moved or elevated to family level. The type genus
64-526: A Fellow of the Royal Society , as well as a country rector, so that he was an eminent example of the " parson-naturalist ". The four-volume Introduction to Entomology , co-written with William Spence , was widely influential. Kirby was a grandson of the Suffolk topographer John Kirby (author of The Suffolk Traveller ) and nephew of artist-topographer Joshua Kirby (a friend of Thomas Gainsborough 's). He
96-548: A natural history museum at Ipswich . Among his early friends were the naturalists Charles Sutton and Thomas Marsham , with whom he made lengthy scientific excursions, as later with William Jackson Hooker and others, becoming a leading parson-naturalist. His name appears on the original list of Fellows of the Linnean Society . He delivered the first of his many papers on 7 May 1793, on Three New Species of Hirudo ( Linn. Trans. II, 316). Kirby produced his first major work,
128-528: A code of ethical behavior" (ESA Certification Corporation). Individuals who are planning to become Certified IPM Technicians (CITs), need to obtain at around 1-4 years of experience in pest management and successfully pass an exam, that is based on the information, that they are acquainted with (ESA Certification Corporation). Like in Public Health Entomology (PHE), those who want to become Certified IPM Technicians (CITs) also have to "agree to ascribe to
160-499: A code of ethical behavior" (ESA Certification Corporation). These individuals must also be approved to use pesticides (ESA Certification Corporation). For those who plan on becoming Board Certified Entomologists (BCEs), individuals have to pass two exams and "agree to ascribe to a code of ethical behavior" (ESA Certification Corporation). As with this, they also have to fulfill a certain amount of educational requirements every 12 months (ESA Certification Corporation). Forensic entomology
192-409: Is Gryllus and the first use of the family name "Gryllidae" was by Francis Walker . They have a worldwide distribution (except Antarctica). The most familiar field crickets ( Gryllinae ) are characteristically robust brown or black insects; the largest members of the family are the 5 cm (2 in)-long bull crickets ( Brachytrupes ) which excavate burrows a metre or more deep. The family
224-411: 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 . Medical entomology is focused upon insects and arthropods that impact human health. Veterinary entomology
256-1030: Is divided into these subfamily groups, subfamilies, and extinct genera (not placed within any subfamily): Entomologist Like several of the other fields that are categorized within zoology , entomology is a taxon -based category; any form of scientific study in which there is a focus on insect-related inquiries is, by definition, entomology. Entomology, therefore, overlaps with a cross-section of topics as diverse as molecular genetics , environmental archaeology , behavior , neuroscience , biomechanics , biochemistry , systematics , physiology , developmental biology , ecology , morphology , and paleontology . Over 1.3 million insect species have been described, more than two-thirds of all known species. Some insect species date back to around 400 million years ago. They have many kinds of interactions with humans and other forms of life on Earth. For example, species such as P. pyralis conduct bioluminescent reactions in their light-emitting organs, which have been
288-434: 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. Anthecology
320-428: Is the study of pollination and the relationships between flowers and their pollinators . It has received increasing attention in the interest of agriculture science amid the impacts of pollinator decline from human actions. Many entomologists specialize in a single order or even a family of insects, and a number of these subspecialties are given their own informal names, typically (but not always) derived from
352-576: The Entomological Society of London in 1833, with John Westwood as Secretary, and became its Honorary President for life. On that occasion, he presented his own cabinet of insects, collected over more than 40 years, which contained many of the specimens figured in his papers. Kirby was the original President of the Ipswich Museum , 1847–50, fulfilling a project which he had advocated since 1791, and appeared with William Buckland and others at
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#1732854661896384-574: The Monographia Apum Angliae (Monograph on the Bees of England), in 1802. His purpose was both scientific and religious: 'The author of Scripture is also the author of Nature: and this visible world, by types indeed, and by symbols, declares the same truths as the Bible does by words. To make the naturalist a religious man – to turn his attention to the glory of God, that he may declare his works, and in
416-619: 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
448-414: The parish church of St Mary's for 68 years, first as curate, then as rector from 1797. He assisted in the publication of pamphlets against Thomas Paine during the 1790s. Kirby was brought to the study of natural history by Nicholas Gwynn (a friend of Boerhaave 's), who introduced him to Sir James Edward Smith in 1791. Soon afterwards, he corresponded with Smith, seeking advice on the foundation of
480-494: 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 (winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine ), 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
512-695: The Arctic Circle 1821. His friend W.J. Hooker established his contact with John Richardson to involve him in the publication of findings from Sir John Franklin 's 1st and 2nd expeditions, the insect section in the Fauna Boreali-Americana in 1837. In 1815, Kirby took his MA with the intention of applying for the Professorship of Botany at the University of Cambridge when it should become vacant. A dispute arose as to whether this appointment lay in
544-560: The Entomological Society of America have varying credential requirements. These different programs are known as Public Health Entomology (PHE), Certified IPM Technicians (CITs), and Board Certified Entomologists (BCEs) (ESA Certification Corporation). To be qualified in public health entomology (PHE), one must pass an exam on the types of arthropods that can spread diseases and lead to medical complications (ESA Certification Corporation). These individuals also have to "agree to ascribe to
576-637: The Entomological Society of America launched a new professional certification program for the pest control industry called the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). 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
608-519: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History . Insect identification is an increasingly common hobby, with butterflies and (to a lesser extent) dragonflies being the most popular. Most insects can easily be allocated to order , such as Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants) or Coleoptera (beetles). However, identifying to genus or species is usually only possible through the use of identification keys and monographs . Because
640-463: The bee species, including Lasioglossum malachurum , came from Kirby's own parish. Kirby began planning his Introduction to Entomology , a celebrated title, in 1808. This was the practical result of a friendship formed in 1805 with William Spence and appeared in four volumes between 1815 and 1826. Much of the work fell to Kirby owing to Spence's ill health. The book was illustrated by John Curtis . It reached its seventh edition in 1856. In 1830 he
672-424: The class Insecta contains a very large number of species (over 330,000 species of beetles alone) and the characteristics distinguishing them are unfamiliar, and often subtle (or invisible without a microscope), 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. In 1994,
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#1732854661896704-498: 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
736-595: The grant of the Senate or the Crown. Kirby's Tory political complexion proved a stumbling-block, and in the event John Stevens Henslow was appointed. In 1827, Kirby assisted Henry Denny in arranging the natural history specimens at Norwich Museum. In 1832, he helped to establish an early museum in Ipswich under the aegis of the town's Literary Institute, and presented a herbarium and a group of fossils. With Spence, he helped to found
768-457: The individual entitled to that name. No man can be truly called an entomologist, sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp." — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. , The Poet at the Breakfast Table . William Kirby (entomologist) William Kirby (19 September 1759 – 4 July 1850) was an English entomologist , an original member of the Linnean Society and
800-412: The modern sense began only relatively recently, in the 16th century. Ulisse Aldrovandi 's De Animalibus Insectis (Concerning Insect Animals) was published in 1602. Microscopist Jan Swammerdam published History of Insects , correctly describing the reproductive organs of insects and metamorphosis . In 1705, Maria Sibylla Merian published the book Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium about
832-602: The opening ceremony. The lithograph by T.H. Maguire was copied from the oil portrait by Friedrich Henry Bischoff commissioned for and still displayed in the Museum. Professor Henslow succeeded him in this office. Besides the books already mentioned he was the author of many papers in the Transactions of the Linnean Society , the Zoological Journal and other periodicals; Strictures on Sir James Smith's Hypothesis respecting
864-448: 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. "I suppose you are an entomologist?" "Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on
896-518: The study of his creatures may see the loving-kindness of the Lord – may this in some measure be the fruit of my work…' (Correspondence, 1800) This, the first scientific treatise on English bees, brought him to the notice of leading entomologists in Britain and abroad. Extensive correspondence followed with scientists including Alexander Macleay , Walkenaer , Johan Christian Fabricius and Adam Afzelius . 153 of
928-526: The subject of much research, especially in recent years. Entomology is rooted in nearly all human cultures from prehistoric times, primarily in the context of agriculture (especially biological control and beekeeping ). The natural Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE) wrote a book on the kinds of insects, while the scientist of Kufa , Ibn al-A'rābī (760–845 CE) wrote a book on flies, Kitāb al-Dabāb ( كتاب الذباب ). However scientific study in
960-461: 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
992-433: Was also a cousin of the children's author Sarah Trimmer . His parents were William Kirby, a solicitor, and Lucy Meadows. He was born on 19 September 1759 at Witnesham , Suffolk , and studied at Ipswich School and Caius College, Cambridge , where he graduated in 1781. Taking holy orders in 1782, he spent his entire working life in the peaceful seclusion of an English country parsonage at Barham in Suffolk, working at
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1024-709: Was invited to write one of the Bridgewater Treatises , his subject being The History, Habits, and Instincts of Animals (2 vols., 1835). With Edward Sabine and J.E. Gray, Kirby prepared the natural history supplement for Captain William Parry 's 1819–1820 polar expedition to seek the North-West Passage : his work formed the insect section of the Account of the Animals seen by the late Northern Expedition while within
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