Discover Entomology

1. Discover Entomology A Career, A Hobby, A Lifetime

2. What is Entomology? • What is Entomology? • The study of insects and related animals. Insects are the largest group of animals in the world. Over one billion have been identified, but there are still species that have yet to be identified. • The study of insects serves as the basis for developments in biological and chemical pest control, food and fiber production and storage, pharmaceuticals, epidemiology, bio-diversity and other fields of science.

3. Entomology is an Ancient Science Entomology as a science dates back to the establishment of biology as a formal field of study by Aristotle (384-322 BC). There are even earlier references to the use of insects in daily life: such as the growing of silkworms that began 4700 BC in China, which was an important part of peasant life in China, as early as 4000 BC. More than a hundred years ago, entomologists formed a society, the Entomological Society of America (ESA), to promote the science and study of entomology in the United States.

4. Why Study Insects? • Insects are found in every ecosystem and all forms of life are impacted by insects in some way. Entomologists work to protect the environment and preserve sensitive habitats. • Entomological research is crucial to a safe, sustainable and abundant food and water supply. Nearly 40% of the worlds food production is destroyed by insects each year.

5. Why Study Insects? • Researchers who specialize in medical and/or veterinary entomology work to eradicate insect-borne diseases. Deaths attributed to insect transmitted diseases impact all socio-economic groups. • Many law enforcement agencies use the expertise of entomologists to help solve crimes. Insect activity helps investigators determine post mortem interval and whether or not a body has been moved.

6. Enjoy the Beauty Around Us

7. What does an Entomologist do? Entomologists contribute to the betterment of humankind by detecting the role of insects in the spread of disease, discovering ways of protecting food and fiber crops, and livestock from being damaged. They study the way beneficial insects contribute to the well being of humans, animals, and plants. Amateur entomologists are interested in insects because of the beauty and diversity of these creatures.

8. What Makes a Good Entomologist? • The study of entomology requires a curious mind, an observant behavior, with a keen interest in biology, zoology or agriculture. • Even though entomology is an animal science a strong background in plant and/or environmental science is helpful.

9. How Do I Prepare? • Step one is to get a good foundation that includes a background in basic biology, chemistry, ecology, genetics, physical sciences, statistics and if possible a general entomology course at the undergraduate level.

10. How Do I Prepare? The next step is an advanced degree that includes coursework at the graduate level. Typical courses taken are Insect Ecology, Insect Physiology, Insect Taxonomy, Biometry, and Biochemistry.

11. How Do I Prepare? In addition to the basic courses students take specialized courses in applied entomology. These may include Agricultural Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticides in the Environment, Aquatic Entomology, Toxicology of Insecticides and Herbicides provide a strong foundation that leads to a successful career in Entomology.

12. Entomology Careers Career opportunities for our graduates include: federal government agencies (EPA, USDA, APHIS); state departments of agriculture and ecology, state agricultural research stations, university extension service, agrichemical company field representatives, research and sales; agricultural consulting firms; private agribusiness firms; timber and seed production companies; international development agencies. IPM specialists with an interest in urban entomology have many career opportunities as pest control operators; parkland and golf course pest management specialists; mosquito abatement districts; weed control districts; food processing industry; ornamental plant protection; public health service; industrial pest control consultant; and with the armed forces.

13. What Kind of Jobs are Available for an Entomologist? If you like to work with computers, there are jobs developing software to aid farmers, foresters, and others in predicting and managing insect pests. If you like working outside, a career in plant protection or forest entomology may be for you. If you enjoy chemistry and physiology, you could conduct research on pheromones, chemicals that insects emit as signals to other insects of the same species, to discover ways to control insect pests.

14. What Kind of Jobs are Available for an Entomologist? If you like mathematics and statistics, you can monitor, record, and report on insect populations, their growth, and reproduction. If you have an interest in genetics, you can use biological and genetic technology to improve plant and animal resistance to insect pests. If you are interested in integrated pest management, you could help prevent disease and property loss due to insects, and protect food, fuel, and fiber.

15. What Kind of Jobs are Available for an Entomologist? If you enjoy working with the public, you could work at an insect zoo or museum, explaining the diversity of insects to visitors. A career in Extension helping homeowners, gardeners, agricultural producers and educating the public. If you are interested in a law enforcement career then forensic entomology may be for you. You could help solve crimes by examining insects found at crime scenes.

16. Why Entomology at WSU? As a specialized field of study, students at WSU have the unique advantage of small classes with ample opportunity to have one-on-one interactions with an Entomology faculty and other graduate students. Our students learn entomology from entomologists who are actively involved with a wide variety of research projects. Due to the close relationship our department has with various industry leaders, we are able to offer experience working in many locations and areas of interest.

17. Why Entomology at WSU • The M.T. James Entomological Museum is one of the largest in the western states, with holdings of over 1.28 million specimens. It is used as a reference source for students and researchers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

18. Why Entomology at WSU? Our students get real world experience MS Grad Student Dan Skoczylas does field research in the Prosser area. His work focuses on the Vet Entomology area. Summer 2007 Grad Student Andrew Rodstrom and Lab Helper do field research in Boardman, OR, hybrid poplar fields. Summer 2007

19. Why Entomology at WSU? Our relationship with the University of Idaho’s Department of Plant, Soils & Entomological Sciences, just 8 miles away, allows us to offer a wide array of courses and work on joint research projects. You will have the opportunity to work with world class faculty and other graduate students who have won numerous awards from professional societies statewide, nationwide and are recognized world-wide for their contributions.

20. Why Entomology at WSU? Our students are involved with the community. The WSU Entomology Club organizes and hosts an annual Insect Expo, sharing the wonderful world of insects with children and adults alike. Our students also enjoy social events throughout the year. Because of our size you can have the flexibility to implement your specialized research project with the guidance of the faculty and collaboration with other students.

21. It’s not all work. There is time to play. Our students and Dept. Chair get ready for the annual 100K relay race. PhD Student Shawn Steffan starts the first leg of the race PhD Student Ash Sial Finishes the race

22. How to Grow a Honey Bee Beard Graduate Masters Students Sam Hapke and Ben Horwath experimented growing a bee beard and a fine job they did. Sept. 2007

23. Our Apiculture Program in Action Scenes from one of the beekeeper’s short courses. The Apiculture Program students have a lot of interaction with beekeepers at locations all over the state. Ben Horwath gets ready run some DNA analysis

24. Financing Your Education • Nearly all of our graduate students programs of study are financed by graduate research assistantships. Students on assistantships receive a tuition fee waiver, a half-time salary to cover basic living expenses and are covered by a medical care plan. We also have students study with us on programs financed by the foreign governments, the US Military and other organizations.

25. A Career in Entomology can take you Anywhere – Far or Near • Ross Miller, PhD, USDA Entomologist, Univ of Guam • Tomislav Curkovic, PhD, Faculty Univ. of Chile • Azhar Ismail, PhD, Director General, Malaysia Cocoa Board • HernanNorambuena, MSc & PhD, Agricultural Research Institute, Temuco, Chile • Mee Young Song, Faculty, So. Korea University • LudgerWennemann, PhD, Researcher Giessen Univ, Germany • Dario Fernandez, INTA Researcher, Argentina • Jeong Joon Ahn, MS, So. Korea Univ, PhD Program • Xin Chen, PhD, Texas A&M • Lu Guoping, MS, Forest Entomologist, PR China • Susana Acheampong, PhD, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Canada • MalikaBounfour, PhD, Ministry of Agriculture, Morocco • Hugo Aguilar, MS, Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of Costa Rica • Yi ‘Charlie’ Chen, PhD, Dept. of Biology, Alderson-Broaddus College Partial List of our graduates

26. A Career in Entomology can take you Anywhere – Far or Near • Patricia Johnson, MS, US-Forest Service, LaGrande, OR • Christian Storm, MS Lodi Wine Grape Commission, CA • Tim Waters, MS & PhD, WSU Extension, Franklin Co., WA • Diana Johnson, MS, Forensics, New Jersey State Police Crime Lab. • James Strange, PhD, USDA/ARS Bee Lab, Utah State Univ. • Deirdre Prischmann, PhD, Faculty South Dakota State Univ. • Dale Whaley, MS, WSU Extension, Douglas County • Hans Loechelt-Yoshioka, USFDA, Bothell, WA • Chase Metzger, MS, WSU Extension, Long Beach, WA • Glen Thayer, MS, Pacific Biocontrol Corp, Wenatchee WA • Neal Kittelson, PhD, Idaho St. Dept. of Lands • Ben Horwath, MS, Genetic Testing Labs • Gretchen Snyder, PhD, WSU-Insectary/Quarantine Facility • Shawn Steffan, PhD, Researcher WSU-Wenatchee TFREC • Dan Skoczylas, MS, Chemical Company Representative • Sam Hapke, MS, Researcher The Evergreen State College • Todd Murray, MS, WSU Extension, Skamania Co. Partial List of our graduates

27. Career in Entomology can take you Anywhere – Far or Near Cory Straub, PhD, Research Associate, Univ of Wisconsin Wade Peterson, MS, US Army Eugene Hannon, MS, Fresno County, CA, Agricultural Commissioners Office Ricardo Ramirez, PhD, Entomology Dept., Utah State University Shawn Steffan, PhD, USDA at the Univ. of Wisconsin

28. Discover Entomology A Career, A Hobby, A Lifetime