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| A Phyllium sp.,
mimicking a leaf. |
Entomology
Entomology (from Ancient Greek ἔντομον (entomon)
'insect', and -λογία (-logia) 'study of') 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.
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, behavior, biomechanics, biochemistry,
systematics, physiology, developmental biology, ecology,
morphology, and paleontology.
With over 1.3 million described species, insects account
for more than two-thirds of all known organisms, some
dating back around 400 million years. They have many
kinds of interactions with humans and other forms of
life on earth. |
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