Entomologist

Working Schedule

• Entomologists work full-time, sometimes in offices or labs, other times outdoors doing fieldwork. Occasional travel is needed, and they may be away from home some nights, weekends, or holidays. During fieldwork, they can be exposed to inclement weather or other environmental conditions. 

Typical Duties

• Develop hypotheses and run laboratory tests in controlled surroundings
• Conduct site visits to farms, wildlife areas, or research plots of land
• Observe insects in the wild; take notes on observed behaviors (such as feeding and reproduction) and characteristics; collect samples/specimens for later study
• Write up findings as scholarly articles and submit them to academic journals
• Study current industry discoveries; share findings with peers via published academic papers and conference attendance 
• Estimate insect species populations and their effects on local ecosystems, such as plant-insect interactions
• Research how human activities affect insect life; look for ways to mitigate or control pest-related problems in agriculture and other industries (including via insecticide formulations) 
• Write reports and conservation plans that feature sustainable practices
• Specialize in species such as ants, beetles, bees, butterflies, crickets, fleas, flies, ladybugs, or mosquitoes

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare budgets for research work 
• Apply for grants, participate in professional organization activities, and contribute to the advancement of the field
• Supervise or mentor assistants and younger researchers

Soft Skills

• Analytical 
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Curiosity
• Interpersonal skills
• Investigative
• Objectivity 
• Organizational skills
• Patience
• Resourcefulness
• Sound judgment and decision-making

Technical Skills

• Academic/scientific writing 
• Biology, chemistry, entomology
• Collection nets (aquatic or pond nets, sweep nets, aerial nets, etc.)
• Data analysis programs such as Genstat
• DNA analysis
• Familiarity with agriscience topics
• Familiarity with lab instruments such as microscopes, dissecting kits, centrifuges, etc.
• Geographic Information Systems like ArcGIS (for mapping insect populations and tracking movements)
• Math and statistics programs such as IBM’s SPSS
• Remote sensing technologies

• Agricultural companies
• College laboratories
• Consulting firms
• Government agencies
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Museums and zoos
• Research facilities

Whether we think about them or not, insects affect us all in countless ways. From our food supplies to our general health, human life is irrevocably linked to the lives and actions of insects. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough active Entomologists to meet the current demand, which places extra responsibilities on those currently working in this vital career field. 

Everyone from farms and homeowners to wildlife—and even the environment itself—relies on the diligent efforts of Entomologists to protect food sources, residential and commercial properties, and fragile ecosystems from the harmful effects of pest populations. They must also strike a balance to ensure that helpful insects such as pollinators (honey bees) and pest-eating predators (ladybugs, praying mantises) are protected and used properly. 

Think the study of insects doesn’t change much over time? Actually, there are several interesting trends in the field of entomology! 

Notably, the increase of technological tools like drones, GIS software, and DNA analysis are boosting efforts to collect data faster and more efficiently. This enables Entomologists to track insect population movements better, which is crucial for identifying areas at risk of infestation. It also helps scientists understand how climate issues affect insect behaviors. This ties into the study of insect ecology (i.e., how insects interact with their environments and how they respond to changes). 

Another trend is the ongoing development of more sustainable pest management strategies, such as using pheromones or living biological control agents (without them turning into pests themselves!). 

Entomologists most likely enjoyed being outside when they were younger, perhaps gardening or simply observing nature. They are curious-minded but equally analytical persons, who may have liked reading or watching informative videos about science, earth sciences, and wildlife or insects.