Insect Diversity from the Carboniferous to Recent

Changes in insect biodiversity in terms of the number of families throughout the history of the class are described. The results are compared with those published recently by other researchers and possible reasons for observed differences are discussed. The main stages in the evolution of insect diversity are recognized. The per-family rates of the appearance and extinction of families, the mean longevity of families existing during certain periods of the geological time, and the rates of renewal of entomofauna are considered.