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Cultural Entomology (CE) is an interdisciplinary academic discipline forming a consilience between the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, and the emerging third branch of insect studies. Its purpose is to explore the parallels, connections and influence of insects and other arthropods on human populations, and vice versa. CE is as much an examination of human culture as it is about the scientific study of insects. CE is rooted in anthropology and natural history, with over sixty fields of endeavor that fall under the field of study (as originally defined by the first issue of ''Cultural Entomology Digest'' in June, 1993). Because of the vast scope of CE, this entry is designed to cite a minimum of two examples under each category. The field invites both a full empirical investigation of the microcosm, and the subjective expression of an individual's unique sentient experience. Empirical evidence (the record of one's direct observations or experiences) can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively. It not only promotes the ''content'' of knowledge regarding insects and their coexistence with human society, it also reveals the ''context'' of how human beings express the relationship. The unique attribute of Cultural Entomology—as an interdisciplinary study rather than a "hard" science—is that it offers a platform for a subjective, interpretive portrayal of the microcosm of insects, spiders and other arthropods. The expression has a rich history of in fine art, literature, entertainment, and philosophy, and is unmatched by any other group of animals on the planet. ==Theory== CE explores the quantitative, experimental science of Entomology as well as the qualitative analysis of the Arts and Humanities. It is an essential reflection of how people view insects and other invertebrates. Cultural entomology studies the reasons, beliefs, and symbolism behind the inclusion of insects within all facets of the humanities. Insects have and do play an important role in the arts, philosophy, psychology, and religions of almost every culture; therefore, a holistic study of this diverse wealth of references provides much insight into our current attitudes towards insects and nature in general. CE allows for the elucidation of abstract, diverse or otherwise inaccessible scientific concepts and makes them digestible for scientist and non-scientists alike. As a fusion discipline, CE is an effective tool for education and public outreach, displaying principles of the natural sciences in creative formats. A central purpose of CE is to provide a platform to explore the diametric that humans hold towards insects: fear/love, revulsion/affinity, interdependence/competition, misinformation/appreciation, animosity/admiration, etc. For the sciences, insects have a tremendous impact on human health, economics, social and behavioral studies. Since funding for research projects can be greatly influenced by public opinions, Cultural Entomology can be an important component of effective research development. As such, a broader education of the full importance of insects will positively affect economic and environmental policies in the modern era. Dr. Steven Kellert of Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies created an elegant and insightful classification of public attitudes towards invertebrates. # Aesthetic: Primary interest in the physical attractiveness and symbolic appeal of invertebrates # Humanistic: Primary orientation one of strong emotional affection for invertebrate animals # Moralistic: Primary concern for the right and wrong treatment of invertebrates, with strong ethical opposition to presumed cruelty towards invertebrate animals. # Naturalistic: Primary interest in direct outdoor recreational contact and enjoyment of invertebrates. # Dominionistic: Primary interest in the mastery and control of invertebrates. # Ecologisitc: Primary concern for interrelationships among invertebrates and other species, as well as between invertebrates and natural habitats. # Negativistic: Primary orientation a fear, dislike or indifference towards invertebrates. # Utilitarian: Primary interest in the practical value of invertebrates or the subordination of invertebrates for the material benefit of humans # Scientific: Primary interest in the physical attributes, taxonomic classification and biological functioning of invertebrates. # In addition to this analysis, there are other studies that attempt to place the relationship between humans and insects into context. The direct and indirect contribution of insects to ecosystem services is immense. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) report 2005 defines ecosystem services as benefits people obtain from ecosystems and distinguishes four categories of ecosystem services: '' * Provisioning services * Regulating services * Supporting services * Cultural services'': cultural, intellectual and spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences (including ecotourism), and scientific discovery In each category, species of insects and other arthropods are a pivotal component, a relationship which can be elucidated through the principles of CE. A fundamental tenet of CE is that a few insect species are well understood for their influence on humans (honeybees, ants, mosquitoes, spiders, to list a few). However, the vast majority of insects offer incalculable benefits of Ecological goods and services (EG&S). Research by the Xerces Society- one of the foremost invertebrate conservation group in the world - calculates the economic impact of four ecological services rendered by insects: pollination, recreation (i.e. "the importance of bugs to hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation, including bird-watching"), dung burial, and pest control (insects play a huge role in controlling crop-pests). The value has been estimated in the United States at $57 billion. A broader perspective of the full gamut of arthropod species and their reciprocal influence on the human society can be offered through the humanities. In addition to providing services, insects in many instances define the system. As E.O. Wilson, the world's foremost myrmecologist (ant expert), observed: "If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos." A Nova (TV Series)segment on the American Public Broadcasting Service framed the relationship with insects in an urban context: "We humans like to think that we run the world. But even in the heart of our great cities, a rival superpower thrives . . . These tiny creatures live all around us in vast numbers, though we hardly even notice them. But in many ways, it is they who really run the show.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/2203crea.html )〕 In another illustration of the connection between CE and public perception, ''The Washington Post'' stated: "We are flying blind in many aspects of preserving the environment, and that's why we are so surprised when a species like the honeybee starts to crash, or an insect we don't want, the Asian tiger mosquito or the fire ant, appears in our midst. In other words: Start thinking about the bugs." Human attitudes toward insects (and related arthropods) are greatly negative. The mass media continually reinforces negative and sensationalized beliefs of insects. This cultural indoctrination has produced a society that seems to be increasingly consumed by efforts to eliminate insects from all facets of daily life. Nearly 75 million pounds of broad-spectrum insecticides are manufactured and sold each year for use in American homes and gardens. Annual revenues from insecticide sales to homeowners exceed $450 million. Out of the 800,000 - 1,000,000 species of insects that have been described so far, not more than 1,000 (about 1/10 of 1%) can be regarded as serious pests, and less than 10,000 (about 1%) are even occasional or sporadic pests.〔 Yet with such overwhelming statistics, not one species has been permanently eradicated through the use of pesticides. In fact, estimates are that at least 1,000 species have developed field resistance to pesticides. With such a massive – yet poorly understood – significance, the study of insects through Cultural Entomology serves the role of disseminating factual and inspirational information about our modern co-existence with insects and other arthropods. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Cultural entomology」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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