Empirical research and factually based theory: What are their roles in entomology?

Abstract

There is certainly an unclarified realm of science that embraces entomology and the conceptual fields that surround it-behavior, ecology, evolution, and physiology, for example. What are the roles of empirical research, hypotheses, and theories in the development of a science? It is not usual for an empiricist, as I am, to venture into these unchartered waters, but, from the outside looking in, one can gain perspective that is at least peculiar and may be even novel and constructive.