Entomologists are changing the world, one insect at a time. From boosting pollination by increasing bee populations to reducing the number of disease-carrying mosquitoes, entomologists directly impact the health of our ecosystems and communities. Often, these groundbreaking advancements in entomology research start in the lab.
In the Lab: The Role of Entomology in Scientific Discovery
Although most insects — cockroaches and other unwelcome pests aside — reside outdoors, laboratories offer the controlled conditions necessary for entomologists to study them in detail. With regulated temperature, consistent lighting and access to advanced equipment, researchers can conduct precise experiments and gain critical insights into insect behavior and biology.
One of the more remarkable findings from laboratory research is the role of pheromones in insect communication. These chemical signals, used by insects to interact with one another, have been extensively studied in labs, leading to significant breakthroughs in pest management.
For example, scientists have developed traps that utilize specific pheromones to attract and capture harmful pests. This targeted approach can reduce populations of destructive species while sparing beneficial insects, such as our beloved pollinators. By minimizing the need for chemical insecticides, pheromone traps enhance sustainability and offer an eco-friendly solution to managing pests. It’s a win-win.
In the Field: Applying Research Findings in the Real World
A successful experiment in a controlled laboratory setting doesn’t always guarantee success in an insect’s natural habitat. That’s why entomologists take their research into real-world environments, testing their effectiveness in practical applications like agriculture, public health and environmental conservation. Field testing bridges the gap between theoretical discovery and practical implementation, ensuring that scientific advancements deliver meaningful results outside the lab.
Agriculture
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that pests reduce global crop yield by 20 to 40% annually. Not only does this diminish global food security, it can also generate serious economic losses due to ruined crops. To mitigate these impacts, scientists have focused on studying the biology and reproductive patterns of pests to develop sustainable, non-chemical methods of population control.
One such innovation is the sterile insect technique (SIT). This method involves sterilizing male pests via radiation, including fruit flies and mosquitoes. These sterile males are then released into areas with heavy infestations, where they compete with fertile males to mate with females. Since these matings produce no offspring, pest populations gradually decline. This technique can be effective in protecting crops while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
Public Health
Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue result in over 700,000 global deaths each year. These diseases are transmitted by insect vectors, like mosquitoes and ticks, making population management of these species a critical public health priority.
The sterile insect technique has also been successfully adapted for disease control. The National Institutes of Health reports that SIT has been a valuable tool in suppressing mosquito populations that carry vector-borne diseases. By reducing the number of mosquitoes capable of transmitting diseases, SIT plays an important role in curbing outbreaks and protecting human health.
Conservation
Did you know that bees pollinate one in every three bites of food we eat? In fact, they’re responsible for fertilizing 80% of the world’s flowering plants (a little humble brag for some of our most powerful pollinators). Unfortunately, one in four species of bees is at risk of becoming extinct, due to factors like habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use.
To combat this decline, entomologists have been working both in the lab and field to protect these essential pollinators. Drawing on their research, scientists have developed strategies like planting native wildflowers near large crop areas. These pollinator-friendly landscapes provide welcoming habitats for bees and other species while also improving crop yields: a win for both agriculture and biodiversity.
Challenges in Field Implementation
Of course, implementing new practices in the field comes with its own sets of challenges, including:
- Environmental complexity
While conditions in the lab are carefully controlled, the unpredictability of natural environments presents significant obstacles. Factors such as weather, habitat diversity and predator-prey relationships can influence the results of field studies, often leading to variations from the findings observed in the lab. - Ethical concerns
Releasing genetically modified insects raises concerns about their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. Some individuals question the long-term effects of such interventions, while others debate the morality of altering nature on such a large scale. - Scalability
Although SIT has proven effective in smaller-scale trials, applying it on a larger scale poses challenges. Releasing sufficient numbers of sterile insects requires substantial resources and funding, and scaling up operations makes monitoring and evaluating outcomes far more complex.
Become a Pioneer in Entomological Research
Entomology is a field that can take you from cutting-edge laboratory experiments to the heart of vibrant ecosystems. If you’re driven by the idea of blending scientific research with real-world change, advancing your expertise through one of the University of Florida’s online graduate programs in entomology is the perfect next step.
As the number one entomology and nematology program in the world, we proudly offer several specializations tailored to your unique passions and career goals, from beekeeping to landscape pest management. We also understand that every path is different, and that’s why we provide the flexibility to choose between earning a graduate certificate or a master’s degree within any of our specializations.
Explore our online programs, contact us with any questions and apply for the upcoming semester. Your future — whether in the lab or the field — is just a click away.
Sources:
https://onlineentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/insect-communication-3-ways-insects-share-information/
https://www.fao.org/pest-and-pesticide-management/about/understanding-the-context/en
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8304793/
https://onlineentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/about/entomology-articles/rise-of-vector-borne-diseases/
https://thebeeconservancy.org/
