Entomology, the study of insects, has long been associated with notable figures such as Sir Vincent Wigglesworth and William Kirby. While men have historically dominated the field and currently hold around 66% of entomology-related careers, the contributions of women in entomology deserve equal recognition.
Women have made pivotal advances in understanding insect behavior, ecology and biodiversity. This article highlights some of the influential women whose work has shaped the field, celebrating their achievements and the progress they inspire.
Margaret James Strickland Collins (1922–1996)
Margaret James Strickland Collins, affectionately known as the “Mother of Termite Ecology,” was a trailblazer in the field of entomology. Born in West Virginia to college-educated parents, Collins demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities from a young age. By the age of six, she was reading at a college level, demonstrating her intellect and insatiable curiosity about the world. Her parents nurtured this curiosity, encouraging her to pursue her passions: a path that led her to achieve a historic milestone in 1949 as the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in entomology.
Throughout her life, Collins balanced multiple roles, including serving as a professor at Howard University, raising two children and actively engaging in civil rights activism during the 1950s. Alongside these accomplishments, she dedicated herself to termite ecology, a field where her groundbreaking research offered profound insights:
- Termite behavior
Some of Collins’s research focused on how termites interact with their environment, such as their feeding habits, nesting behaviors and role in the decomposition of wood, highlighting their value in maintaining an ecological balance in nature.
- Social structure
Collins explored the social structures of termites, decoding the mystery behind their caste system and discovering how they communicate in their colonies.
Clara Southmayd Ludlow (1852–1924)
Clara Southmayd Ludlow, often referred to as the “Mother of Medical Entomology,” began her career far from the scientific field that later defined her legacy. Her initial passion was music, and she graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1876.
In 1897, Ludlow shifted her focus to the sciences, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in botany. Her career trajectory took a strong turn while visiting her brother in the Philippines, where he contracted a severe illness. After accompanying her brother home for treatment, her experience motivated her to study mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.
By 1907, Ludlow was a demonstrator of histology and embryology at The George Washington University, where she earned her Ph.D. with a dissertation on the mosquitoes of the Philippine Islands. Over nearly two decades, she built a remarkable body of work, contributing significantly to the field of medical entomology. Ludlow:
- Identified 72 mosquito species, greatly expanding knowledge of mosquito biodiversity.
- Discovered six new mosquito species, adding to the scientific understanding of mosquito taxonomy.
- Linked mosquito species to disease transmission cycles, advancing research on vector-borne illnesses. Broke barriers as the first woman admitted to the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, paving the way for future generations of women in the field.
Mary Talbot (1903–1990)
Our understanding of ant socialization might not be what it is today without the research and dedication of Mary Talbot. Her fascination with insects began in childhood in Tiffin, Ohio, where she and her brother collected and studied bugs from their neighborhood. This passion extended into adulthood, leading her to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in entomology. She later earned a Ph.D. in zoology, completing a dissertation on the distribution of ant species in the Chicago region.
After completing her education, Talbot became a dedicated educator, teaching at the collegiate level. She later transitioned into research, where she could focus on her lifelong passion for ants. Known for her meticulous fieldwork, Talbot often braved challenging environments such as marshes, dunes and swamps to observe ants in their natural habitats, spending countless hours documenting their behavior.
Throughout her career, Talbot made numerous contributions to entomology, including:
- Documenting ant diversity
She identified 90 species of ants in the Chicago area, contributing to a deeper understanding of regional ant populations.
- Long-term studies
Talbot conducted an impressive 26-summer study on ant population dynamics in a 1,146-acre natural history preserve in southeastern Michigan, offering insights into how ant populations change over time.
- Fieldwork emphasis
She supported observing ants in their natural environments rather than relying solely on controlled laboratory settings, highlighting the importance of ecological context in understanding ant behavior.
Make Your Mark in Entomology at the University of Florida
Women have played a pivotal role in entomology. At the University of Florida (UF), we proudly honor this legacy while fostering the next wave of innovators — women and men alike — who are passionate about advancing this field.
Our online graduate programs, taught by industry-renowned professors, equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the ever-evolving world of entomology and nematology. Explore our diverse paths of study, including:
- Medical Entomology
- Landscape Pest Management
- Urban Pest Management
- Beekeeping
Each specialization offers the flexibility to pursue either an online graduate certificate or an online graduate degree, allowing you to tailor your education to your career goals.
Begin your journey to becoming a leader in entomology at UF. Apply today!
Sources:
https://onlineentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/exploring-the-gender-gap-in-stem-fields-entomology-edition/
https://womeninexploration.org/timeline/margaret-s-collins
https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2019/dr_clara_ludlow_from_music_to_mosquitoes
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/faculty-research-papers/331/
