Entomology - The Fascinating Study of Insects
The word "entomology" is based in the Greek language. It combines entomos, which roughly translates to "something segmented or cut into pieces" and logia, or "the study of".
Because they make up such an enormous part of the life on this planet, it goes without saying that insects play important roles in various fields: ecology, botany, biomechanics, paleontology, etc. Their study is essential to better understand the often symbiotic relationship other life forms have with insects.
FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY
Forensic entomology is the study of insects in legal cases. Usually forensic entomology is associated with how insects feed on dead bodies, but the science may also be used in civil cases, such as the investigation of contaminated food.
Some recent criminal and medical television series feature forensic entomologists who can help determine information about a person's time of death based on the stage of insect activity in the cadaver. Two of the most popular are CSI and Bones.
MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
Medical entomology deals with disease-spreading insects like mosquitoes, mites, ticks and fleas. Originating in 1878 with the discovery that mosquitoes had the capability to transmit parasites, this discipline deals with other infectious diseases like malaria, typhus, and plague. Military medical entomology, separate from civilian medical entomology, helps armies determine and eradicate insect threats to troops. According to the United States Air Force, the military has been using medical entomologists since 1900 and the discovery that mosquitoes transmitted yellow fever.
RESEARCH ENTOMOLOGISTS
Research entomologists can be experts in any sub-field of entomology. 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, often derived from the scientific name of the group, for example:
- Apiology (or melittology) - bees
- Coleopterology - beetles
- Dipterology - flies
- Lepidopterology - moths and butterflies
- Myrmecology - ants
- Orthopterology - grasshoppers, crickets, etc.
The studies of research entomologists can extend to classification, conservation, toxicology and evolutionary biology of their chosen order or family.
TAXONOMIC SPECIALIZATION OF INSECTS
The more than 1 million known species of insects are currently divided into dozens of different orders. Some of the most common are shown below:
Collembola: Springtails - from the Greek: colla = glue + embolon = wedge or peg)
Thysanura: Silverfish, Firebrats, Bristletails - from the Greek: thysanos = tassel + oura = tail
Ephemeroptera: Mayflies - from the Greek: ephemeros = living but a day
Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies - from the Greek: odontos = tooth
Orthoptera: Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids - from the Greek: orthos = straight + ptera = wings
Phasmida: Walking Sticks - from the Greek: phasm = phantom
Mantodea: Praying mantids - from the Greek: mantis = soothsayer
Blattaria: Cockroaches - from the Latin: blatta = cockroach
Isoptera: Termites - from the Greek isos = equal + ptera = wings
Dermaptera: Earwigs - from the Greek: derma = skin + ptera = wings
Plecoptera: Stoneflies - from the Greek: plekos = plaited + ptera = wings
Psocoptera: Psocids, Barklice, Booklice - from the Greek: psocho = to rub or grind into small pieces + ptera = wings
Phthiraptera: Lice - from the Greek: phthir = lice + aptera = wingless
Hemiptera: True Bugs - from the Greek: hemi = half + ptera = wings
Homoptera: Aphids, Cicadas, Scales, Leafhoppers, and others - from the Greek: homos = same + ptera = wings
Thysanoptera: Thrips - from the Greek: thysanos = fringe + ptera = wing
Neuroptera: Lacewings, Dobsonflies, Antlions, others - from the Greek neura = nerves + ptera = wings
Coleoptera: Beetles - from the Greek: coleos = sheath + ptera = wings
Mecoptera: Scorpionflies and Hanging Scorpionflies - from the Greek: mecos = long + ptera = wings
Diptera: Flies, Gnats, Midges, Mosquitoes - from the Greek: di = two + ptera = wings
Siphonaptera: Fleas - from the Greek: siphon = tube + aptera = without wings
Trichoptera: Caddisflies, Caseflies - from the Greek: trichos = hair + ptera = wings
Lepidoptera: Moths, Butterflies, and Skippers - from the Greek: lepidos = scale + ptera = wings
Hymenoptera: Wasps, Bees, Ants, Sawflies, Horntails - from the Greek: hymen = membrane + ptera = wings
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