Influential Entomology: An Editorial

Agostino Letardi

Abstract

Entomology’s role in the growth of ecology as a science is often ignored, but important concepts in ecology such as the function and types of mimicry, the theoretical development of population dynamics and island biogeography all have their origins in entomologist pioneering research. Insect products have long played a role in human society economies going back many thousand years from the production of the silk industry in China to the current uses of Hemiptera's excretory products such as cochineal and shellac. Entomology research has had indirect applications in human medicine and genetics, such as designing cryostorage techniques based on direct use of Dipteran larvae in maggot debridement therapy to an understanding of Antarctic insect freeze-avoidance methods.