The study of insects in referred to as entomology, which is a branch of zoology. Insects used to be a lot looser term. It used to encompass some animals as well as arachnids, earthworms, snails and slugs. Though the broad range meaning is still used, it is only used in informal settings. Entomology helps us learn about insects, how they've adapted, and what they can and do to help humanity.

Entomology spans back thousands of years, back to the prehistoric times. Back then, man would often eat insects as a source of nourishment, since insects are full of nutrients. What insects you could and couldn't eat was the origins of entomology, but the study itself didn't begin until the 16^th century. It wouldn't hit its stride until William Kirby.

William Kirby is commonly known as the father of Entomology. His book, Introduction to Entomology, which he co-wrote with William Spence, is the foundation for all entomology. He would go on to make the Royal Entomological Society in 1833. Centered in London, it was one of the earliest societies that focused on entomology. There were a few others that started before it, like the Aurelian society, which started in the 1740s.

During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, entomology developed rapidly. The first entomologist would win their first Nobel Prize in 1973 for physiology or medicine. His name was Karl von Frisch. One of the most famous entomologist was Charles Darwin, who studied many insects in the 19^th century and dictated how they evolved among island populations.

Entomology covers a wide variety of sciences. This is because any science that must do with insects is part of entomology. This is called a taxon-based category, which means anything from molecular genetics to paleontology can wind up being enclosed in entomology. With over 1.3 million insects ever documented, which is 2/3 of all organisms and spanning back 400 million years, it's a vast topic that will come up more often than one would think.

Because of how many insects there are, it is very hard to identify some species. This is because without a microscope or prior knowledge to the insect it's almost impossible to tell the difference, though seasoned veterans shouldn't have any issue with it. Because of these setbacks, several automated insect species identification systems were created, like DAISY (Digital Automated Identification System). Daisy was made in the mid-1990s by Dr. Mark O'Neil, and can identify a species in under a minute.

Entomology is the study of insects, which includes a wide variety of topics. Because all studies of insects fall under entomology, it's much easier to figure out where to start if someone was considering becoming an entomologist. With new insect species being found every day, and no shortage in sight, it's no wonder entomology is such a rich and diverse study.

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