15 Amazing Entomology Facts For Kids Who Find Insects Interesting!

Entomology is a discipline of zoology or science that deals with the study of insects, their general anatomy, characteristics, morphology, contributions to biological diversity, and a range of other scientific fields.

Entomologists are scientists who research insects, their structure, diverse parts, functions, and other characteristics. Because of his work in Entomology, William Kirby is known as the 'Father of Entomology' in science.

Based on his foundation for contemporary entomology, Aristotle, the Greek philosopher and scientist, was the first to present the anatomy of insects. Insects can be found in every environment, on the land, and in the water.

They are very involved in the daily routine of humans and animals. The largest insect species ever found had a wingspan of 2.5 ft (76.2 cm).

Entomology derives from the Greek term Entomon, which means 'notched' and refers to the vertebral bodies found in all bugs. Entomology is also concerned with studying the interaction between humans, insects, food, biological diversity, medications, our environment, and other scientific subjects.

There are various categories of insects, like the Lepidoptera (flies, moths, butterflies) and Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps). These organisms spend most of their life as larvae or pupae.

Forensic entomologists use insects in a wide range of legal contexts, including both civil and criminal trials. There is a branch of entomology called 'forensic entomology' that deals with the study of insects in crime investigations.

What does entomology mean?

Entomology is a discipline of science that studies insects scientifically.

• The fragmented body plan or organs of both male and female bug is referred to by the Greek word 'entomon,' which means 'notched.'
• This branch of research includes the zoological areas of genetics, morphology, taxonomy, behavior, physiology, and ecology.
• The practical parts of economic entomology, which include the destructive and helpful impact of bugs on humans and their actions, are also discussed. Entomology is also significant in biodiversity research and environmental quality assessment.

The History Of Entomology

From time immemorial, the field of insects has always been an intimidating subject and a challenge for great scientific minds all over the world. A Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, described insect anatomy in the 4th century BCE, laying the foundation for modern entomology.

• Pliny the Elder brought a new species to Aristotle's list.
• In 1602, a naturalist of Italy, Ulisse Aldrovandi, produced 'De Animalibus Insectis' ('Of Insect Animals'), a famous dissertation.
• Jan Swammerdam, a Dutch naturalist and entomologist, saw several insect species' minute features using a newly designed microscope.
• Insect classification as we know it today dates back to the 18th century.
• The six volumes of' Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des insectes' ('Memoirs Serving as a History of Insects') was published in 1734 by the French naturalist René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur.
• Carolus Linnaeus used his binomial nomenclature system to organize the taxonomy of insect species in Systema Naturae (10th ed., 1758).
• With the publication of books like John Curtis' British Entomology' (1824–39), which had eight volumes and the foundation of entomological clubs in London and Paris in the early nineteenth century, entomology became a distinct branch of study.
• Once, an entomologist recorded a queen of termites laying 43,000 eggs in a single day with loads of blood shuttling around. This has been the highest egg-laying record for insects ever.
• There also have been signs of caterpillars munching on the skins of humans. Yet flies are considered flesh eaters!

What tools are used by entomologists?

Entomologists use various tools in their study of insects, including some from the following list:

• Aerial Net: They are also known as butterfly nets to catch the largest insect in the forests or natural surroundings. The wireframe of circular shape has a funnel with light netting, which helps capture the insects safely without harming them.
• Sweep Net: The sweep net is a more durable variant of the aerial net that can handle twigs and thorns. Entomologists use a sweep net to capture insects resting on leaves and twigs. A sweep net is required for meadow insect research.
• Aquatic Net: Water striders, other aquatic invertebrates, and backswimmers are fascinating to study and vital water quality indicators. Instead of light netting, you'll require an aquatic net with a stronger mesh to trap them.
• Light Trap: Anyone who has seen moths hovering around a light switch will appreciate the utility of a light trap. A light source, a scoop, and a cup or container make up the light trap. The light is hung above the funnel, which is resting on the bucket rim. Attractive insects will come to the fluorescent lamp, go into the duct, and eventually fall into the bucket.
• Black Light Trap: Entomologists use a lighting trap to attract insects at night. A white sheet is spread across a frame behind and beneath the black light. The light is positioned at the sheet's center. The sheet's enormous surface area attracts insects drawn to the light. Alive insects are then can be removed using hands before morning.
• Pitfall Trap: The bug falls in a pit, which is a container buried in the earth, as the names suggest. Ground-dwelling insects are caught in the pitfall trap. It's made up of a can with the lip is in equal to the topsoil and a cover board that's raised slightly higher than the container. Arthropods looking for a dark, moist environment will walk beneath the lid and into the can.
• Berlese Funnel: The Berlese funnel is ideal for collecting tiny insects that make their nests in the leaf litter. A light is suspended above a huge funnel put on the top of a jar. In the funnel, the leaf litter is placed. Insects avoid heat and light by moving away from them.
• Insect aspirators: An aspirator can be used to capture tiny insects or bugs in hard-to-reach spots. The aspirator consists of a vial with two portions of tubing, one of which is covered with a thin screen material. Entomologists attract the bug into the vial by sucking with one tube. Thanks to the screen, the insect (or anything else nasty) is kept out of your mouth.
• Beating Sheet: A beating sheet is a helpful instrument for studying insects that dwell on leaves and branches, such as caterpillars, butterflies, beetles. Stretch a light-colored or white sheet beneath the tree branches. Entomologists beat the leaves above with a rod or a stick. Insects that feed on the leaves and branches will fall onto the sheet and be captured.

Significance Of Entomology

Through the study of insects, the set of knowledge that has developed has made the modern economic entomologists prepare a wide variety of methods to help control the pests and insects. There are various categories of insects, like the Lepidoptera (flies, moths, butterflies) and Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps).

Most insects are significant threats to humans, as a disseminator of diseases and destructors of crops and other plants in the environment. To control the harm caused by insects to agricultural products, integrated pest management methods have been developed by agricultural entomologists study on the subject, which includes biological, forensics, chemicals, cultural, and sanitary tactics.

Improvements in pest-control strategies and breakthroughs in genetics study are among the benefits of insect research.

Studies on the vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster) provided the framework and techniques that are now employed in practically every aspect of genetics study. Biochemical, environmental, behavioral, developmental, and ecological research have used insects.

Entomological research has clarified the multiple tasks insects play in the ecosystem, such as pest management provided by blowflies and mantises as hunters of many other insects or the acceleration of organic matter breakdown by scavenger insects.

Species or creatures like Caddisflies, true flies, wasps, dragonflies, Mayflies, and stoneflies, which live in streams and other freshwater nature, are employed as biological indicators of water type.

There also have been signs of caterpillars munching on the skins of humans. Yet flies are considered flesh eaters! Forensic entomologists use insects in a wide range of legal contexts, including both civil and criminal trials.