Work on the Flora of the Czech Republic, Geobotanical map of the Czech Republic, Geobotanical map of Europe. Cooperation with universities, trainig of PhD students. The Institute performs basic and applied research in which insects are either the focus of attention or serve as model systems. Other activities include education of students, extension services, actions promoting scientific collaboration, and publication of the European Journal of Entomology .
Scientific work ranges from molecular studies to field ecology and biomathematics.
It was one of the first units of the Institute. Traditional research subjects include ecology of selected insect species, populations and communities, with special emphasis on the herbivory. A long-term study of the Lepidoptera of peatlands was started 20 years ago. The adaptive value of life history strategies and other ecological problems continue to be examined at selected localities in temperate and tropical zones. Research on the communities of spiders associated with other arthropods was started recently.