Page 14 - Adventures through the World of Entomology

For many hundreds of years, this seemed to be an adequate system for classifying living things. For many hundreds of years, this seemed to be an adequate system for classifying living things.

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However, during the 15 and 16 centuries, sea captains traveled to “new” continents and brought back However, during the 15 and 16 centuries, sea captains traveled to “new” continents and brought back
plants and animals that, so far, had not been identified — or even thought to exist — and it became plants and animals that, so far, had not been identified — or even thought to exist — and it became
difficult to recognize them from common names attached to them by a various persons around the globe. difficult to recognize them from common names attached to them by a various persons around the globe.
In the 1700s, a Swedish scientist by the name of Carlos linnaeus came up with a system of classifying In the 1700s, a Swedish scientist by the name of Carlos linnaeus came up with a system of classifying
and naming all living things based on shared characteristics. We still use that system today. and naming all living things based on shared characteristics. We still use that system today.

The Plant Kingdom uses chlorophyll to produce photosynthesis. The Animal Kingdom does not. So, The Plant Kingdom uses chlorophyll to produce photosynthesis. The Animal Kingdom does not. So,
let’s set aside the Plant Kingdom for the time being, focus on the Animal Kingdom and apply the let’s set aside the Plant Kingdom for the time being, focus on the Animal Kingdom and apply the
linnaeus system of Classification. linnaeus system of Classification.

Graphics using the Linnaeus System: from the Animal Kingdom to a Carpenter ant species. Graphics using the Linnaeus System: from the Animal Kingdom to a Carpenter ant species.

KINGDOM KINGDOM
Animal Animal
PHYLuM PHYLuM
Arthropoda Arthropoda
CLASS CLASS
Insecta Insecta
ORDER ORDER
Hymenoptera Hymenoptera

FAMILY FAMILY
Formicidae Formicidae
GENuS GENuS
Camponotus Camponotus

SPECIES SPECIES
vicinus vicinus
(Carpenter Ant) (Carpenter Ant)

Modifications have been made to this system over the past two hundred plus years. For example, sub- Modifications have been made to this system over the past two hundred plus years. For example, sub-
phyla were added to separate insects from spiders and pillbugs. phyla were added to separate insects from spiders and pillbugs.

Groups of scientists regularly meet to discuss rules governing adjustments and name changes. Groups of scientists regularly meet to discuss rules governing adjustments and name changes.

A recent change notable to the pest control industry was changing the Argentine ant from Iridomyrmex A recent change notable to the pest control industry was changing the Argentine ant from Iridomyrmex
humilis to linepithema humile. humilis to linepithema humile.

Trade and travel have caused an obvious spread of insects around the world and adjustments have be- Trade and travel have caused an obvious spread of insects around the world and adjustments have be-
come necessary as new families of animals, including insects, have been discovered and identified. come necessary as new families of animals, including insects, have been discovered and identified.

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