EVOLUTION OF MODERN INSECT CLASSIFICATION: A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT

Insects are the most numerous and diverse group of animals in the entire animal kingdom. Insect classification has evolved in different phases over a considerable period of time. There are four different phases or eras, ., the Pre-Linnean Era, the Linnean Era, the Darwinian Era, and the Hennigian Era and other developments. Among all eras the Hennigian Era marks a revolutionary shift in classification of insects with introduction of Phylogenetic Systematics that strictly considers monophyly of different taxa to decide their respective positions within the tree of classification. Modern classification of insects is based on knowledge gained from multiple sources like Anatomy, Paleontology, Molecular Biology, and Embryology leading to a more natural and reliable classification scheme. Modern classification of insects also reflects their phylogeny. With new findings and advent of new technologies there is always a scope of change in the existing framework of insect classification in future.