What Is Entomology? About The Branch Of Zoology

ENTOMOLOGY – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the scientific zoological branch known as entomology.

It is a branch of zoology which deals with the scientific study of insects. It is derived from the Greek word entomon, which means ‘notched‘, in reference to the segmented body plan of the insect.

The study includes genetics, taxonomy, morphology, physiology, behaviour, and ecology in its study, according to the Britannica encyclopedia.

The field also includes applied aspects of economic entomology, which covers the harmful and beneficial impact of insects on humans and their activities. It also plays a vital role in studies of biodiversity and assessment of environmental quality.

Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle contribuuted descriptions of insect anatomy, which establishes the groundwork for its modern version. Pliny the Elder also added to Aristotle’s species list.

In 1602, Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi published a major treatise entitled De Animalibus Insectis, which roughly translates to “Of Insect Animals”.

Dutch naturalist Jan Swammerdam was able to observe the tiny structures of several insect species, thanks to the microscope. In the 18th century, modern classifications of insects was constructed.

The six volumes of Mémoires pour servir à l’histoire des insectes , which translates to “Memoirs Serving as a History of Insects” was published by French biologist René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur.

Carl Linnaeus applied his system of binomial nomenclature to organize the classification of insect species in his Systema Naturae.