I. IntroductionA. What is entomology?Entomology is the study of Hexapoda and entomologist are those that study entomologyB. Greek base – entomonEntomology is based on the Greek entomon which designated the creatures we call insects and related animalsC. Latin base – insecareThe Latin word Insectum is based on insecare, meaning to cut, referring to the segmented bodies of insectsD. Origin of hexapod – hexa and podosHexapoda comes from the Greek hexa (six) and poda (foot) therefore referring to six footed creaturesII. ConceptsA. Insects dominant groupInsects are the most dominant group of animals on the planet earth. They occupy almost all ecological niches on earth. There are presently 900,000 to 1,000,000 species of insects that have been described by entomologist. These insects make up about 80% of all known animalsB. Diverse and abundantInsects are not only the most diverse of all animals, but they can be the most abundant. It is estimated that as many as 230 million insects can be found on the surface and within the top 9 niches of soil in an acre of meadowland. Insects are a part of the food web and are important for our survival.C. Balance of natureInsects play an essential role in the balance of nature including that of predators (eat them), parasites (using resources), scavengers (use waste products), and as food for other animals and plants. They recycle a lot of the things that we don’t use.D. Pinnacles of evolution/creative designInsects are obviously vastly different than humans although both insects and humans represent the pinnacles of adaptation on earth.E. Valuable to humansInsects are valuable to humans for a number of reasons including the fact that they produce a number of useful products including honey, waxes and silk, but they are also important pollinators of many of the fruits and vegetables on which we are reliant.F. Only 5% of insects are harmfulLess than 5% of all insects are described as being harmful, although insects can be important pest of humans, our crops, animals and structures. They are also known to transmit harmful human diseases agents that have virtually changed the course of human history. Those that are pest are major problems in our society.G. Invade every aspect of our livesInsects invade every aspect of our lives including our bodies, our music, and our literature and art. In many cultures, insects are revered and actually worshipped as gods.H. Variety of shapes, sizes, colorsInsects come in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. In nature, some insects are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope, while others like the Goliath Beetle can weigh as much as 1.5 ounces and are as large as some small birds and mammals.I. Some are dangerous & can adversely affect our healthSome insects are dangerous and can adversely affect the health and well being of humans through biting, stinging, or invasion of their bodies. Specific entomologists: medical, livestock, field crops & urban.J. Successful1. Skeleton – insects have an exoskeleton that protect them from the outside world2. Size – some insects are small (can survive by hiding), others are very large (and can survive by being aggressive)3. Flight – insects are the only group arthropods capable of flight4. Metamorphosis – all insects change forms over the course of their lives5. Reproduction – insects can produce tremendous numbers of offspring in a relatively short period of time (high reproductive potential and fast generation time)K. Good fossil record-insects on earth for at least 350-400 million years (Geological Time Prediction)There is a good fossil record of insects which indicates that they have inhabited the earth for at least 350-400 million yearsIV. Introduction to the “Scientific Method”A. Science1. Organized unbiased approach to determining “truth”2. Limits of scienceMust be able to observe and measureMust avoid bias in all testing & conclusionsTheories in science are subject to change (new data)B. History1. Ibn al-Hytham (Alhazen) (965-1039): reasoning possible reasons for things observed; Muslim Scientist (Iraq); mathematics, engineer, optics; experimentation: controlled testing and reasoning-deductive2. Galileo (1564-1642): Physicist, mathematician, astronomer; Experimentation: added a way to make the science measurable3. Kepler (1571-1630): German, Astronomy, mathematics; Hypothesis4. Aristotle (384-322 BC): Greek student of Plato, philosopher, teacher “scientist” of geology, naturalist, dissections, ethics5. Socrates (469 -399 BC): Greek philosopher, socratic “questions” hypothesis (explanation); tutor (Plato); ethics “I only know what I know”; inductive reasoningInductive reasoning example: All observed cats are brown therefore all cats are brownC. Steps in Modern Approaches1. State a question2. Gather information (observe & measure)3. Form hypothesis – Null (opposite of what you think is going to happen)4. Test hypothesis (experiment/collect data)5. Analyze data (reasoning/statistics)6. Interpret findings (data) – draw a conclusion7. Publish and teach results8. Retest (confirmation by independent source)D. Scales of Evidence1. Hypothesis – educated guess based on observations, cannot be proven only disproven (rejected); proposed explanation for observable phenomena based on observations2. Theory – summations of several hypotheses which have been repeatedly tested, but can be accepted or rejected based on “new evidence”3. Laws – body of observations and evidence, with no exceptions notedENTO 322 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I. Entomology 322 Introductiona. Course Goalsb. Course Requirements Outline of Current LectureI. IntroductionII. ConceptsIII. The Scientific MethodCurrent LectureI. IntroductionA. What is entomology? Entomology is the study of Hexapoda and entomologist are those that study entomology B. Greek base – entomon Entomology is based on the Greek entomon which designated the creatures we call insects and related animals C. Latin base – insecare The Latin word Insectum is based on insecare, meaning to cut, referring to the segmented bodies of insects D. Origin of hexapod – hexa and podos  Hexapoda comes from the Greek hexa (six) and poda (foot) therefore referring to six footed creatures II. ConceptsA. Insects dominant group Insects are the most dominant group of animals on the planet earth. They occupy almost all ecological niches on earth.