Foreword for the special issue of Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology “From Gene to Ecosystem”

Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 15 (2012) 329

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Editorial

Foreword for the special issue of Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology “From Gene to Ecosystem”

The articles presented in this special issue of Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology “From Gene to Ecosystem” are intended to reflect current trends emerging from a diversity of entomological interests. Distinctive research endeavors, from a genetic level to that which encompasses and surpasses the habitat of mankind, have resulted from the cumulation of man’s micro- and macro-observations of life. Such broad-ranging topics are presented within this edition in order to highlight the stratified focal points of academic pursuit in this field, but also to remind the reader of the common pursuit, and shared interest in all natural science. Of the 27 articles presented, seven relate to molecular studies, and serve to illustrate how molecular techniques can be applied to various entomological areas, such as conservation, behavior, physiology, taxonomy and phylogeny. Six articles relate to organism level studies, and are of genetic, genomic and proteomic approaches. These articles illustrate entomological researches on insecticide resistance,

immunology, and chemical communication, etc. Four articles are related to taxonomy, including proposal of a new genus of the tephritid flies, and methodologies for automated butterfly species identification, etc. Seven articles are at the organism and population level of ecological studies, and include behavioral studies, as well as those relating to pest management, potential impact of Bt crops on non-target insects, modeling, and the spread and distribution of insects on a local or global scale. Three further articles illustrate broader community and ecosystem levels of entomological studies, including those of global warming. I would like to thank all the contributors for their excellent articles that so accurately reflect the current state of entomological researches in the Asia-Pacific region. Joon-Ho Lee Editor-in-Chief Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology

1226-8615/$ – see front matter © Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society, 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.aspen.2012.06.005