Urban Entomology: Navigating the Intersection of Pests and Human Environments

Urban entomology, a distinct discipline within entomology, focuses on pests in human environments, addressing a wide range of species from insects to vertebrates. First coined by A.H. Waters in 1884 and popularized by W. Ebeling's 1975 book, urban entomology gives an idea about arthropods' interactions with humans, pets and structures. As urbanization accelerates, with a projected 68% of the global population living in cities by 2050, understanding pest dynamics becomes increasingly critical. Factors like invasive species, pesticide resistance and public health concerns underscore the need for effective pest management strategies, emphasizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. This review explores urban entomology's history, key pest groups and modern management challenges, while highlighting the industry's evolution in response to urbanization. It also discusses the roles of various stakeholders, including researchers, pest management professionals and regulatory bodies, in addressing urban pest issues. Ultimately, the review calls for collaborative efforts to enhance pest control practices, leveraging biological control methods and sustainable strategies to mitigate the impacts of urban pests on public health and infrastructure.