A short presentation on the contribution of the Catholic Church to the topic of entomology during this year's National Insect Week

1. NATIONAL INSECT WEEK
20TH - 26TH JUNE 2016
A COLLECTION OF CATHOLIC ENTOMOLOGISTS
FROM THE CATHOLIC LABORATORY (FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
@CATHOLICLAB)

2. AGOSTINO BASSI
(1773-1856)
Preceded Louis Pasteur in the
discovery the microorganisms can
be the cause of disease.
Discovered muscardine disease
of silkworms was caused by a
parasitic organism, named
Bavaria bassiana in his honour.
In 1953 the Italian post office
issued a stamp on the 180th
anniversary of his birth.
He is known as the ‘Father of
insect pathology’

3. PIERRE ANDRÉ LATREILLE
(1762-1833)
Trained as a Catholic priest, but
imprisoned during the French
Revolution. Regained his freedom when
he discovered a rare beetle species,
Necrobia ruficollis, in the prison.
Worked on arthropod systematics and
taxonomy, gaining his many accolades
including a volume on arthropods in
Cuvier’s ‘The animal kingdom’.
Many books were dedicated to him, and
up to 163 species are named in his
honour.
Described by one of his pupils as ‘the
prince of entomologists”.

4. JEAN HENRI FABRE
(1823-1915)
A popular teacher of physics, chemistry and
biology, but best known for his work in
entomology.
Known as the “Father of modern
entomology”.
He influenced later writings of Charles
Darwin, who called Fabre an ‘inimitable
observer’.
Fabre remained sceptical of Darwin’s theory
of evolution because he always held back
from all theories and systems.
He wrote many books on insects in a
biographical form, combining his passion for
scientific truth and a colloquial style.
In 1956, the French post office issued a
stamp in his honour.

5. HENRI MOUHOT
(1826-1861)
Travelled through Europe studying
photography, and then devoting himself
to the study of natural sciences,
specialising in ornithology and
conchyliology.
He traveled to Bankock and made 4
journeys to SIam, Cambodia and Loas.
He popularised Ankor Wat in the West,
which led to interest in studying and
preserving the site.
He collected many specimens of
insects, and discovered a new species
later named Mouhotia gloriosa in his
honour.

6. JOHN DZIERZON
(1811-1906)
Pioneering apiarist who discovered the
phenomenon of parthenogenesis in
bees and designed the first successful
moveable-frame beehive.
Discovered the mechanism of secretion
of royal jelly and its role on the
development queen bees.
Ordained a Catholic priest, but was
excommunicated owing to
disagreements on papal infallibility. He
was later reconciled to the Church.
Published over 800 articles on bees.
Known as the “Founder of Modern Bee
Keeping”.

7. ERIC WASMANN
(1859-1931)
Jesuit priest who specialised in ants and
termites.
He described the phenomenon known as
‘Wasmannian mimicry’, where the mimic
resembles it's host (the model) in order to
live within the same nest or structure.
Supported evolution, but challenged
natural selection, the evolution of humans
from other animals, and universal common
descent.
He wrote over 700 papers, identified over
900 new species of ant, and received
many honours for his contributions to
entomology.
Known affectionately as the “ant father”.

8. THOMAS BORGMEIER
(1892-1975)
Franciscan priest whose interest in entomology
grew from studying ants, discovering phorid
flies attacking and parasitising them.
Became adjunct research scientist in the
National Museum of Rio de Janeiro, later
moving on to become head of the entomological
section of the Institito de Biologia Vegetal in the
Botanical Gardens.
Founded the international journal Revisita de
Entomologia, and commenced a series of
monographs that became Studia Entomologica.
Published over 240 papers in entomology and
related subjects.
Described more than 1,000 species of phorid
flies and 100 species of ants, and a number of
myrmecophilous beetles.

9. KARL KEHRLE
(1898-1996)
Also known as ‘Brother Adam’, a
Benedictine monk, beekeeper and
developer of the ‘Buckfast bee’.
Established a bee mating station on
Dartmoor, allowing desired selective
crossings.
Undertook research travels across
Europe and Africa for species to
incorporate into the Buckfast stock.
Became International Bee Research
Association (IBRA) vice-president, and
is awarded an OBE in the Queen’s
Birthday Honours List