Preface: Insect science in Taiwan

When Dr. David Stanley presented a short course in the Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, last year, he had the opportunity to observe first‐hand the activities and potential of entomological research in Taiwan. A special issue of this journal devoted solely to the representation of insect biochemical and physiological research in Taiwan should be an eye‐opener for the international entomological community. Therefore, this is a platform setup for Taiwanese entomologists to introduce the past, present, and future of Insect Science in Taiwan to our international colleagues. The germination of Entomology in Taiwan started during the Japanese Occupation (1895–1964). The Japanese helped lay a solid background for research on insect faunal inventories, crop protection, and medically important insects. In the continuous co‐evolutionary game of survival with insects, the Taiwanese received the baton from their Japanese occupiers and ran with it for their own existence and scientific success.