A flair for insects
Yuck! or Yay!: People’s reactions to insects usually fall into these two categories. This chapter highlights the remarkable journeys of 'Yay!' people, who turned their passion for insects into careers studying and working on these fascinating creatures.
An entomologist working in her sweep net. Image: Adobe Stock
Why do people study insects?
Sometimes, it is a science camp in spring or a childhood spent in a house with a garden, or maybe a microscope received as a birthday gift, which sparks an interest in insects. Their shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors are very diverse, captivating the curiosity of countless future scientists from a very young age.
Entomology, the scientific study of insects, offers a wide range of fascinating career opportunities. While the idea of earning a living by studying insects might seem unusual at first, it is essential to recognize that insects represent the largest group of animals on Earth, significantly impacting food production, ecosystems, human health and even culture and technology in various ways. Consequently, entomologists can pursue diverse roles in fields beyond basic research.
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One such career path is that of an insect taxonomist, who describes new species and establishes evolutionary relationships among closely related taxa*. These professionals often work at universities or within the insect collections of museums. Taxonomists play a crucial role in identifying insect species, with specimens being submitted to them by both scientists and amateur entomologists for accurate classification.
Additionally, some entomologists serve as curators in museums, managing and safeguarding extensive insect collections that can comprise millions of specimens. In this capacity, curators also engage in public education by organizing workshops, exhibitions, and guided museum visits, fostering an appreciation for insects among adults and children alike. Through these roles, entomologists contribute to scientific knowledge and raise public awareness of the critical importance of insects.
The king of sting
Schmidt sting pain index
Justin O. Schmidt, a renowned entomologist known as “The King of Sting”, revolutionized the study of stinging insects through his creation of the Schmidt Pain Index. This scale ranks the pain of stings from 80 species of bees, wasps, and ants on a scale from 1 to 4, accompanied by vivid descriptions of the sensations. The scale ranges from describing a Level 1 anthophorid bee sting as "almost pleasant" to the Level 4 bullet ant sting as " Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch nail in your heel." Schmidt endured over 1,000 stings throughout his career to gather firsthand data for his research. His work combined rigorous scientific inquiry with engaging communication, making the complexities of venom biochemistry accessible to a broad audience. His memoir, The Sting of the Wild, brought widespread recognition to his unique contributions to entomology.
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Another intriguing career option is insect farming, which involves raising "mini livestock" to produce food, animal feed, silk, honey, and other products for human use. Beekeeping, the most well-known form of insect farming, has been practiced since ancient times an remains widely popular today. Silk production, which relies on silk moths, follows closely behind in significance.
A drawing depicting silk workers in China sorting and weighing cocoons produced by domesticated silkworms (the larvae of silk moths). Image: Wikimedia/Liang Kai, Licence
In recent years, an increasing number of insects have been domesticated for farming, making the expertise of entomologists – specialists in insect biology and rearing – highly valuable to the industry. Commonly farmed species include black soldier flies, mealworms, lesser mealworms, crickets, cochineal insects, and cockroaches, all contributing to the growing global interest in sustainable insect-based production systems.
A cricket farm photographed in Vietnam. Image: Adobe Stock
Insects impact our health and well-being in ways we often don’t realize. For instance, no one wants to live in an apartment infested with cockroaches, bed bugs or non-insect arthropods. These pests are not only a nuisance but can also pose significant health risks by transmitting diseases. Urban entomologists play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by developing innovative and effective strategies to manage and eliminate pests in urban environments.
Medical entomology focuses on insects that can transmit deadly diseases. The list includes mosquitoes, biting midges, ticks, kissing bugs etc. By studying the behavior and ecology of these insects, medical entomologists contribute to public health and safety.
These are only a few of the career opportunities available for someone with a degree in entomology. In this chapter, we conducted interviews with entomologists from around the world and learned more about the fascinating work they do with insects every day.
Glossary*
A taxon (plural: taxa) is a group of organisms that are grouped together in biological systematics based on common characteristics. It can comprise different hierarchical levels, such as species, genus or family. Taxa serve to organize the diversity of life and represent evolutionary relationships between organisms.
