Scope of Entomology, Courses, Jobs & Salary

• Insects are fascinating species. Whilst most of them are beneficial, yet there are some which are nuisance. Think of the contrast between character of a honey bee or a housefly. I love butterflies, but how disgusting are the blood sucking mosquitoes or those awkward many legged cockroaches! And yes, most are beneficial, but little than 1% are pests. 
• They are sometimes preys, sometimes predators, sometimes recycling dead matter. In fact they help in plant pollination. Entomologists study insects. They identify, classify them, and research on them to find out their interaction with all species including man. These studies are helpful in sustainable food production, prevents the outbreaks of insect cause diseases.
• Entomology is a special branch of zoology that deals with studying of insects that cause disease or serve as vectors of pathogens. You will study of the classification, lifecycle, physiology, ecology and habitat of insects. It is a great career for you, if you have been fascinated with insects in general and agriculture as a profession. Besides this you help humanity in devising plans in biological and chemical pest control, safe storage of food and other products. 
   

• There is bachelor’s, Master’s & Certificate programs available from prominent private colleges & government institutions. These courses train students provide scientific approach in collecting samples, recording data, analyzing data and presentation skills. These programs train students in controlling vectors & vector borne diseases, such as plague, malaria, dengue, ticks and mites borne diseases etc. You will learn about every aspect of insects & pest management.
• In India Entomology is taught as a sub specialization of agricultural sciences, veterinary sciences and forestry. You have to pursue P.G., M Phil or PhD programs  to get specialization in:

1. Apiology: It is the science of beekeeping.
2. Myrmecology: It is the science that deals with ants
3. Hemepterology: It is the study of disease causing bedbugs, squash bugs etc.
4. Dipterology: It is the science of disease causing flies, such as mosquitoes, houseflies etc,
5. Orthopterology: This deals with family orthoptera. It includes grasshopper, locust, cockroaches, cricket, mantise etc.

• Several research organizations in india provide fellowships to entomologists, like Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation, Allahabad, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. They also employ entomologists in research at positions, such as Field Biologist, Junior Research Fellow, Research Associate, Research Scientist, Research Analyst.
   

• Entomology is a very specialized science. You must have an aptitude and love for nature, a curiosity to explore the inter relationships in nature. 
• Since, most of the work done is in field trips as part of a team, so you should have good communication and team skills. 
• Creative thinking, writing and speaking skills are required in scientific methods & procedures when collecting or analyzing data and when coming to conclusions.
   

• Entomology is a multi disciplinary science, so there are many opportunities. Applied entomology has many rewarding offers for you. 
• As a forensic science expert you will be helping the law enforcement agencies. You can work in agro industries, like fertilizer plants, seed companies, pesticide companies, bio fertilizer companies etc for pest control services. You can be an educator/ teacher or museum curator/guide or an adviser in commercial world and residential spaces
  • Professional entomologists are engaged in such studies which has direct bearing on our agriculture, food, forestry, health, forensic science, veterinary medicine etc.
  • Most of them are work in applied entomology working on insects, such as honey bees, silk worms, ladybird, beetles, parasitic wasps etc. It requires scientific methods and procedure to prepare records while analyzing data and coming to conclusions. It is good to have knowledge in horticulture, genetics, physiology, forestry. You may be working in lab as a specialist technician or as a field researcher. A background knowledge in horticulture, genetics, physiology, forestry will be great.
  1. Types of entomologists: You can be entomologist in general or pursue higher studies for specialization.
  2. Medical or Public Health Entomologists:  Their work is related to health issues. Your work will involve nuisance & disease causing insect pests, like houseflies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, lice, fleas, ticks.
  3. Forensic Entomologists:  They deal with crime scene evidence as well as graphic aspects of  crime scenes. You will collect and analyze specimen or data to give professional evidence. Your work will involve in the application of insects in solving complex criminal scenes.
  4. Agricultural entomologists: They work ways in which cash crops are saved from insect pests. You will educate and instruct farmers and farming institutions about the amount of pesticide to be used in right proportions.
  5. Forest entomologist: They study such insect species and related arthropods that inhabit and interact in forest ecosystems. You will help in the spread of forests by preventive management of insect pests that cause the degrading & defoliation of trees to the death of trees in forests.
  6. Commercial entomologists: They study the pests that harm ornamental valuables and economic produce of trees. You may also be helping apiary business or silk business like so. It is your job to protect living spaces in and around homes or restaurants etc.  shading trees, ornamental plants
  7. Survey entomologist: They look out for possible insect outbreaks beforehand. You will be involved in data & metrics to presentation of the data to alert the authorities.
  8. Research entomologists: They design research studies, supervise laboratory assistants, record & analyze data to prepare reports. You will be publishing study reports & data in scientific journals for peer review.