Fundamentals of Entomology

Nomenclature and identification

• A name is required for identification of any organism. Generally two types of names are used (i) common name (ii) scientific name.

I. Common name :
(i) They are inaccurate because it varies from region to region and country to country and there is no uniformity followed in naming the organisms.
e.g. Locust is a bug referring cicada in European countries and normally locusts also refer to short horned grasshoppers living in groups.
(ii) Common name is not available for all organisms
e.g. Squash bugs present in cucurbitaceous plants are represented by many species, but no common name is available for each species. It is available only for a large group like order and family.
(iii) Same common name is used for insects of different orders.
e.g. Flies. A true fly has only 2 wings, whereas other insects like mayfly, dragonfly, etc., are also mentioned as flies.
(iv) Homonym - Same name is used for describing two different type of insects.
e.g. Boll worm is a common term used for more than five species of boll feeding insects.
(v) Synonym - More than one name denoting a single insect.
e.g. Gram pod borer, American bollworm denotes Helicoverpa armigera

II. Scientific name :
• The system of naming organisms using two words is called Binomial nomenclature (Trinomial nomenclature if three words are used). This system of naming gives accurate information. It is universal and is accepted in all parts of the world. The rule regarding the naming of organisms is contained in International code for zoological nomenclature.
• Normally there are two names, the first name is the generic name and the second name is the species name. The names that follow the generic name are called Trivial names. The trivial names may be either species or a subspecies name.
  e.g. Head louse: Pediculus humanus captis
  Body louse: Pediculus humanus corporis
• The first letter of the generic name is in capital and the first letter of species and subspecies are in small letter. All the words are Latinized and written in italics or it should be written and underlined separately. The authority name is written after the species name. It starts with capital letter. The author name is put in bracket if the taxa has been reclassified and placed in another group.
  e.g. Moringa fruit fly Gitona distigma (Meigon)