|
Industry Profile -- by Jennifer Bysterveld
Pests, evidence, cultural symbols, food = bugs. Bugs? You may be surprised but insects can be all of these things. A career with insects may not be for everyone, but for those of you who don't run screaming at the site of a spider, the entomology industry may be of interest.
Entomology is the study of insects. Basic entomology studies the genetics and physiology of insects, while applied entomology uses the information gained from basic entomology to address issues in areas such as health, agriculture, forestry, ecology and even criminology. The entomology industry has provided many benefits to our everyday lives including, helping to control epidemics of insect-borne disease, preserving endangered species and preventing insect related crop losses.
Entomologists study the classification, life cycle and habits of insects and related life forms as well as, plan and implement insect surveys and pest management programs. They work to reduce insect-related damage and develop strategies for insect control. Entomologists also study the benefits of insects including, how to domesticate pollinators, increase populations of insects which feed on weeds and pests and use insects as indicators of environmental pollution.
Employment can be found in all levels of government agencies and industry. A local entomologist explained that work in entomology varies with the different levels of government employment.
Federal entomologists often perform more high-risk research, while provincial entomologists work in closer contact with the agriculture industry addressing their immediate concerns. Urban or municipal entomologists are usually involved in monitoring pests in parks and trees and work in mosquito abatement. Entomologists may also find employment in lecturing or researching at post-secondary institutions or curating insects collections in museums.
Post-secondary education is required for most work in this industry. A Bachelor of Biological Sciences is available from the University of Alberta (www.ualberta.ca/SCIENCE/ugrad/programs.html). Depending on the type of position, a Ph.D may be required. Starting salary averages around $28,000 per year.
Entomology Technicians perform similar work to Entomologists. They conduct tests and interpret research findings, collect field data, analyze information and write reports. A Biological Sciences degree or diploma is appropriate. NAIT offers a two year diploma in Biological Sciences.
In the last 10 years, a new branch of entomology, known as forensic entomology, has developed. This branch studies and applies a knowledge of insects and other arthropods associated with death scenes and legal disputes. Birth, death and feeding patterns of insects occur at predictable intervals and this information can provide many clues to investigators at crime scenes. By studying the colonization or development of insects in or near a death scene, aspects such as cause, site, and post-mortem interval, or time since death, can be determined. Currently a national database of bug-colonization patterns is being created to assist investigators in various regions and climates. Other work in this field involves the development of tools to perform DNA analysis of the blood meals of insects. Host DNA remains in the blood ingested by insects and this is a valuable source of information for investigators. Research is even moving towards using dead bugs from car windshields and front grills to determine such evidence as where the vehicle has traveled and in what direction!
As the use of insecticides increases and insects become more resistant to these chemicals, researchers in the entomology industry search for alternative measures of insect control. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one such measure. IPM involves applying several methods of control which makes it more difficult for insects to become resistant to one method. Using natural enemies of the pest is one developing method within IPM. In Alberta, the Lethbridge Research Centre and the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute are currently involved in IPM research. Examples of current research include treating Canada Thistle and Colorado Potato Beetle with exotic insects. Nationally, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has initiated a National Pest Management Program to provide a very focused forum for information on Integrated Pest Management strategies.
Maybe you don't want to work with insects, maybe you want to eat them! Many cultures consider insects a source of food and engage in entomophagy - eating bugs - as a regular part of their diet. Western culture has been a little slow on the uptake, but eating bugs is becoming more and more popular. Insects have huge nutritional value. The body of a grasshopper is 20 percent protein which is equal to lean ground beef. If you dry that same grasshopper body, protein content increases to 60 percent! Crickets are loaded with calcium and if you are looking for more iron in your diet, why not try the termites? There are several websites pertaining to insects as food. For a breakdown of the nutritional information of insects see the Iowa State University Insect Recipes site. They also provide recipes for Banana Worm Bread and Chocolate Chirpie (Cricket) Chip Cookies. The Food Insects Newsletter and Bugfood III: Insect Snacks from Around the World are good sources of information as well.
It seems obvious that a career in the entomology industry requires an attraction to the bug world. But what about those of us who are not bug oriented? Perhaps we can take a more philosophical approach. Cultural entomology is the study of the significance of insects within our culture. It looks at the roles, beliefs and symbolism of insects in our humanities including art, philosophy, psychology and religion. The Cultural Entomology Digest is an E-zine which looks at cultural place of insects. Did you know that certain cultures have worshiped insects? For the ancient Greek culture Artemis it was the bee. Designs of Japanese family crests are based on the butterfly. And if you suffer from entomophobia ( fear of insects) make sure to check out the article on insects in psychiatry for various theories behind the fears. The digest aims to dispel myths and stereotypes of insects so as to ensure an appreciation of bugs which will in turn promote their biodiversity and preservation.
|
