An Overview Of Entomology And Its Significance

Entomology is zoology’s branch that studies insects, their morphology, anatomy, and other characteristics. It is another field of science that has also helped entomologists study the characteristics and behavior of millions of insects worldwide.

There are billions of species of insects on this planet that have survived for millions of years. While some are extinct, others are abundant. This shows that insects and arthropods have a large composition in the animal kingdom and are primarily found in every part of the earth.

Significance of entomology

Entomologists have contributed significantly to studying the various applications of insets in agriculture, public health, and forestry. As mentioned above, this plant has billions of insects, some poisonous, others non-poisonous, and non-harmful. However, apart from humans, insects also seriously threaten different plants and animals. Therefore, entomology plays a crucial role in understanding insect behavior and the relationship between food, humans, their biodiversity, and the environment.

Agriculture

Depending on the type of insect and the crop they act on, they’re mainly divided into two categories- the ones which pose a threat to plants and crops and the others that are beneficial in controlling pests. Entomologists help study the different characteristics of insects, which helps develop different pest control strategies.

Forestry

While some smaller insects attack shrubs and small plants, others attack trees and cause severe threats to wildlife and the flora in a forest. Entomology helps determine the different species of insects that cause harm to the forest and also understand the role of insects in the forest ecosystem.

Public health

It is a no-brainer that insects transfer diseases like dengue, malaria, Lyme disease, fever, etc., and also play an essential role in transferring diseases. Therefore, entomologists need to study their biology and behavior and understand different mechanisms and strategies to fight against them.

Applications of entomology

Apart from the significance of entomology in the three major fields, there is also a more comprehensive range of applications like the ones mentioned below.

Environmental science

Insects are sensitive to changes in their outside environment, like rainfall, temperature, moisture, humidity, etc., and their growth patterns depend on these factors. In the field of environmental science, insects provide ways to understand the different ecological issues, the effects of deforestation and other conditions.

Forensic entomology

As surprising as it sounds, insects play a significant role in criminal investigations. It helps investigators with the different human remains, their body’s exposure to different elements, the reason for diseases, and other important information.

Key Takeaway

Entomology, although essential in different fields, is still a growing field in the branch of zoology, which helps determine the role of insects in different ecosystems and their effect on humans and animals. It is also a branch that helps deal with different strategies to protect humans and other organisms.