How to become an Entomologist

Insects outnumber all other life forms and perform life-vital functions on earth. An entomologist is someone who uses observational, experimental, biological, and genetic approaches to study insects, their habitats and their behaviours. The scope of entomology is broad, including insect and arthropod identification, classification, observation, and conservation.

Entomological research can also provide broader insights into ecology, evolution and social behaviour. Entomologists contribute to human betterment by identifying the role of insects in disease spreading and discovering ways to protect food, fibre crops, and cattle from being damaged. They are studying how beneficial insects contribute to human, animal and plant wellbeing. This demonstrates the importance of entomology.

Job description, Profiles, Roles and Duties:

• Research physiology of insects, their habitat and distribution
• Build a cross-disciplinary network for the first-order study of peripheral problems (such as climate change) and how these can impact entomological modelling
• Gather and manage specimens from the field
• Sample the air, water, soil, and materials for habitat and ecology data collection
• Offer guidance to stakeholders to address complex and widespread problems regarding pest control
• Act with a strategic ecological mind to build and troubleshoot comprehensive approaches and plans for pest management
• Examining the role of insect pests in agriculture, human health, forests and the environment
• Perform entomological population modelling and prediction using computational analyses
• Develop laboratory- and field-testing standards and guidelines
• Develop methods for specimen trapping and containment
• Create methods for monitoring and containment of specimen populations
• Assess risk and financial damage from the infestation of insects on small to large geographical areas
• Develop strategies and risk mitigation plans
• Expertise in computer database and geographical information systems
• Creating methods to prevent the import and spread of destructive insects
• Discover and catalog new insect species
• Studying the origin and classification of insects
• Design and enforce pest control systems for urban as well as agricultural sites
• Coordination of public awareness and education programs
• Conducting pesticide field and laboratory tests to know its impact on diverse species of insects
• Curating insect collections at museums
• Develop and perform experimental investigations of insects in regulated or natural environments
• Knowledge of insect characteristics, including interactions with other species and their environment, reproduction, population dynamics, diseases and patterns of movement
• Investigate, initiate, and maintain insect breeding programs
• The estimation, monitoring and management of insect populations
• Write research papers, reports and academic articles explaining the results

The ones who pursue entomology are strong in academics because this is important for completing all the required education and finding a suitable workplace. Aspiring entomologists need to have a deep desire to research insects and their ecology and write reports based on their methodology and observations.

Entomologists must not be squeamish around insects and should be able to handle them and their by-products. The field also involves observation of the insects' behaviour, appearance, and atmosphere. So, an entomologist means someone with excellent observation skills and great attention to detail.

They must have the intelligence, enthusiasm, imagination, persistence and perseverance required for finding answers to complex research questions. In addition, entomologists must be able to critically draw essential conclusions from data gathered from analysis, observation, and experiments and then convey their results to researchers, students, policy-makers, and other stakeholders, depending on the nature of the job.