Entomology
Entomology is an independent scientific discipline which has its roots in biology. It is the study of insects, involving their biology and control in relation to their environment and to man.
Some entomologists are involved in reducing harmful species of insects that destroy food, housing, plants and clothing, and cause discomfort and disease to humans, livestock and pets. Other entomologists develop methods to increase the growth rate and spread of the many insects which provide food (honey), pollinate crops, assist in destroying harmful insects, or are eaten as food by birds and fish.
Representative Job Titles and Area of Specialization
| Area Farm Advisor | Mosquito Abatement Program * | | Agricultural Entomology | Museum Curator | | Apiculture | Pest Control Advisor | | Biological Control Consultant | Pest Control Technician * | | Economic Entomologist * | Pest Management Specialist * | | Expeditions (Overseas Searches) | Pesticide Development And Analysis | | Experimentalist | Pesticide Use Specialist | | Extension Entomologist | Population Biology | | Food-Plant Sanitation * | Quarantine Inspector * | | Forest Entomologist | Registration Specialist * | | Genetic Entomologist | (Agricultural Chemicals) | | Grain And Commodity Inspector * | Research Assistant/Technician * | | Host Plant Resistance | Staff Research Associate * | | Insect Biosystematist | Stored Products Entomologist * | | Insect Ecology | Survey Entomologist | | Insect Pathologist | Taxonomist (Identification | | Insect Physiologist | And Research) | | Instructor/Professor | Technical Marketing Representative * | | Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Technical Writer/Editor * | | IPM Field Scout * | Toxicologist | | Laboratory Assistant * | Urban/Industrial Entomologist | | Laboratory Technician * | Vector Control Specialist * | | Medical Entomologist | Veterinary Entomologist |
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
Entomologists work primarily in basic and applied research, inspection and control, and teaching. Those in basic (theoretical) research conduct studies and experiments that add to general knowledge about insects. Applied researchers concentrate their efforts towards solving specific problems or developing processes that have direct applications, such as propagation or control. Because of the build-up of insecticides in the earth and in living things, entomologists are developing non-pesticidal controls, such as insect-resistant plants, insect attractants, and the use of pathogens and beneficial predacious insects to combat the harmful varieties.
Entomologists in inspection and control investigate damage by insects to a variety of products during growth and development, storage, transit, marketing, consumer use, etc. They may develop or suggest accepted methods to control or eliminate the insects.
Entomologists in an academic setting are responsible for teaching, research and some administrative duties. At major land grant institutions having an Agricultural Experiment Station affiliation, the teaching load may be light, and the entomologist is expected to be productive in research.
Places of Employment
| Colleges, universities | Pest control companies | | U.S. Dept. of Agriculture | Conservation agencies | | Agricultural Research Service | Corporations involved in food, | | U.S. Forest Service | fiber and forest products | | State departments of agriculture | Cooperative Extension | | Armed forces | State and federal plant quarantine | | Museums | agencies | | Consulting firms | Local, state & federal departments | | Agricultural chemicals industry | of public health | | Mosquito control agencies | Independent laboratories |
Training
Those with a bachelor's degree would probably find employment in the less technical aspects of the field such as laboratory technicians and assistants, as private IPM field scouts, or in state inspection, scouting, and control. A bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification for those positions listed above followed by an asterisk.
A master's degree is considered the minimum qualification for professional entomologists and a Ph.D. is usually required for research leadership or college teaching. Most students entering a graduate program in entomology have a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or entomology.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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