Job Description and Career Prospects for Entomologist

Scientific study of insects; entomology is different from the traditional subjects that open up career prospects for aspirants. Yet with the growing concerns for environmental balance and well being across the globe, the study of entomology is assuming a much greater importance. Insects have major bearing on the environment around us and that is why the job of entomologist has been assuming considerable significance in past few years.

Responsibilities of Entomologist

Basic task performed by the entomologist is that of research, experimentation, and derivation of logical conclusions. Main responsibilities carried out by entomologist are –

Studying various aspects of insect life;
Assessing their respective impacts on the environment around us;
Impact of insects on foods that people consume;
Spread of diseases by insects and their preventions;
Prevention of diseases is not only for human beings but animals as well;
Studying about useful insects that are conducive to human and animal health and environment around; and
Control of harmful insects using the helpful ones.
Type of Works Performed

Most of the entomologists are employed either as extension officers or as researchers. In their respective employments they perform the following jobs:

Researchers work in a wide variety of fields with the objective of preventing crop pests and also insect borne diseases that affects humans as well as the animals.
Major fields of research for the entomologist are –
Biological control of all types of harmful insects as well as weeds;
Appropriate use of helpful insects;
Pest management studies;
Using insecticides in combination with other measures to manage the pest development processes;
Studies on development, testing, classification, and registration of the insecticides;
Documentation of entire process and insect fauna; and
Veterinary as well as medical entomology.
Besides such research, the entomologist is also involved in study of ecology and biology of the insects with reference to other organisms existing in the nature.
Conservation of insect fauna and environment as well as study of ecology and biology.
Extension officers render advices and technical assistance on all these subjects to scientists and research scholars, farmers, and nursery men.
Job Opportunities

Substantial job opportunities are offered by both private scientific and government organizations like the Medical Research Councils, Agriculture Research Council, Universities, museums and such other institutes. An entomologist can also work as private consultant.


State university website is the location career search of the career aspirant will end by getting all relevant information. For instance; the site offers extensive information on the career of entomologist and at the same time enlists top secondary schools that impart necessary education for the career.