Insect science faces wobbly future, report says

Soldier of bad fortune: the Formosan termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is high on entomologists' pest list.

February 11, 2000
Web posted at: 4:02 PM EST (2102 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

Insect-borne diseases, the impact of genetically modified crops and the tenacious Formosan termite are a few of the biggest pests for entomologists in the new century, according to a recent report.

But the greatest challenge to entomology - the traditional study of insects - may be burrowed in the discipline itself.

In an article that addresses the growing turf war between entomology and molecular biology, Mark Hunter, an associate professor at the University of Georgia's Institute of Ecology, suggests the insect discipline faces hard times as a unique branch of science.

"There is an ongoing conflict between 'whole organism' and 'molecular' approaches to studying insects," Hunter writes. "Friction has evolved because molecular biology is taking over a tremendous amount of resources, including funding and space within universities."

Molecular biologists are being hired in increasing numbers to fill out entomology departments, Hunter notes. "In my opinion that's a very good thing. Entomologists like myself can use a whole series of tools that we've never used before. I can ask the same questions I've always asked and I can answer them more precisely."

In his report, Hunter cites insect damage on plant life as a case in which molecular biology can inform entomology.

"Until recently scientists measured changes in plant growth with simple tools rather like a ruler," Hunter writes. "Now you can essentially watch plant genes turn on and off. This gives us a much better idea of how the plant is responding to the insect's damage."

"We should not be surprised by any of this," he adds. "Theories and approaches generally follow one of three routes in most sciences: acceptance, rejection-replacement or modification."

Hunter poses a question for the entire entomology community in his report. "Are we broadminded enough to appreciate, explore and perhaps even adopt some of the questions and approaches of our diverse colleagues?" he asks. "There may be surprising parallels to our own endeavors."

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