What is the profession of an entomologist? Entomologist - who is he and what does he study? General position of entomology in biology

Entomology is one of the branches of general zoology devoted to the study of insects. Literal translation This name from ancient Greek sounds like this: ἔντομον - insect and λόγος - teaching. Consequently, the answer to the question, who is an entomologist and what does an entomologist do, will be as follows: this is a specialist who studies the life activity and structure of insects, their forms, impact on the environment and on humans, distribution on the planet and other aspects related to these small forms of life.

About the objects of study

The world of insects on Earth is diverse. Suffice it to say that today scientists know more than one million of their species, but, according to their assumptions, there are another 2-3 million species (according to other sources - 5 million). That is, more or less experts have classified and studied only a third of the many insects that live on the planet. There remains a vast field of activity - both for professionals and amateur entomologists. We include ants, flies, butterflies, bees, beetles and others as insects. All of them are included in the class of arthropods of invertebrate animals and, together with millipedes, form the subphylum tracheae. Insects are characterized by three main features: the ability for high fertility, narrow specialization in life activity and the extreme simplicity of the structure of the body.

History of entomology

Man has been interested in insects since ancient times. Then it mattered more practical significance. For example, even in Egyptian papyri and Assyrian cuneiform tablets dating back to the third millennium BC, we are talking about locust raids that devastated the surrounding area and caused famine. Around the same time, the ancient Chinese described in their manuscripts methods for breeding silkworms and recommended ways to combat gardening insect pests. However, as an independent science, entomology arose only in the 17th century, when the Dutchman J. Swammerdam created his work on bees, the German I. Gedart - on types of metamorphosis (transition states, transformations), and the Italians M. Malpighi and F. Buonanni - respectively about silkworms and the structure of the mouth openings of insects. Around the same time, the first attempts to systematize insects were made by the English scientist J. Ray.

But the “father” of modern entomology is rightfully considered the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, who described and studied the life activity of 1936 species. And most importantly, in his major work “System of Nature”, he distributed insects into genera, introduced binary nomenclature and, based on the structure of the wings, grouped them into 9 orders. Following him, the Englishmen W. Kirby, J. Lubbock and J. Westwood proposed their own classification systems, having identified a number of independent units. But only the famous work of Charles Darwin “On the Origin of Species” made it possible to finally streamline the division of insects.

Such scientists as C. Darwin, K. Frisch, E. Wilson, W. Kirby, J. Lebbock, N. M. Przhevalsky, A. O. Kovalevsky, P. P. were very interested in entomology and contributed to this science. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, G. Ya. Bey-Bienko, M. S. Gilyarov and many others.

Applied entomology

The scientific works of entomologists today are of great benefit in terms of practical application.

Insects rightfully belong to the most numerous and highly organized class of the arthropod phylum (Arthropoda). They live everywhere - in the garden, fresh water bodies, tropical rainforests, under scorching sun deserts, on mountain peaks and even in the “land of ice and snowstorms” - Antarctica. To date, more than a million species of insects have been described. Study of the structure, species diversity, the individual development of individuals, as well as their interaction with the environment is within the competence of entomologists. The profession is rare, but quite interesting and has its own specifics.

Historical excursion

Entomology (from the Greek έντομον - insect and λόγος - word, doctrine) acquired the status of an independent scientific discipline in the 17th century. At first, naturalists were exclusively concerned with insects, which massively destroyed grain crops, vegetable and fruit crops. Scientists described parts of the chitinous skeleton and the external appearance of arthropod organ systems, selected effective methods pest control. Later, a histological research method was introduced, insectariums and photothermostats appeared.

Today's entomologists continue the work of the greatest naturalists - Charles Darwin, 1973 Nobel laureate Karl Frisch and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner E. Wilson. Vladimir Nabokov since adolescence He was keenly interested in the world around him and wanted to become an entomologist by profession. The future writer adored butterflies, collected them, and while traveling around the United States, he discovered over 20 previously unknown species and subspecies of Lepidoptera. Since 1826 in countries Western Europe Interest clubs and communities began to appear, uniting specialists in the field of insectology.

Entomologist: profession or vocation

When it comes to entomologists, the imagination involuntarily draws the image of a slightly absent-minded, “handicraft” researcher with a net in his hands and a hat on his head. Meanwhile, modern scientists are less and less likely to leave their laboratories in search of material for research; the practicing entomologist does not face long expedition trips.

Daily work with insects contributes to the development of observation; experienced entomologists notice the slightest changes in the shape and size of an invertebrate animal. Learning the basics of taxonomy presupposes having a good visual memory. A scientist cannot do without perseverance and patience, because sometimes he has to observe a certain specimen for long hours, months and even years. The profession of an entomologist is ideal for attentive, diligent people who are truly passionate about the world of insects.

What does an entomologist do nowadays?

Thus, the professional responsibilities of an entomologist include:

Obtaining and generalizing new knowledge about representatives of the phylum arthropods. Study of the evolutionary and individual development of insects. Collecting valuable items. Conducting research work in the field of entomology, preparing documentation and reports.

Entomologists make an invaluable contribution to the development of agriculture and horticulture. According to the most conservative estimates, insects destroy a fifth of the world's grain crops. With the assistance of entomologists, many insecticides have been created to reclaim crops from pests.

Work in specialty

Entomologists are needed by institutes and universities, institutions that monitor compliance sanitary standards at enterprises. The specialty can be obtained at Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov, at the state agricultural universities of St. Petersburg, Saratov, Stavropol and Krasnodar. In addition, there are about 700 laboratories and biofactories in Russia, where entomologists, along with process engineers and microbiologists, solve production problems.

In the summer we don’t know where to go from annoying midges, sometimes we don’t notice the crushed bug under our feet, but meanwhile insects play a key role in the biotic pollination of plants, serve as the basis for some medicines, and produce wax and honey. The profession of entomologist, although not the most popular in our country, is by no means useless. Scientists are actively involved in the development of preventive measures to combat pests that transmit human diseases. Thanks to the joint efforts of entomologists, rare and endangered insect species are listed in the Red Book. Entomology will appeal to those who are not afraid of monotonous work and are ready to devote themselves entirely to science.

The world of insects on our planet is surprisingly vast and diverse. Today, scientists know more than a million species of arachnids, lepidoptera, ants, cockroaches and other “bugs”.

However, according to some assumptions, there are still from 2 to 8 million unexplored varieties of invertebrates on Earth, opening up a wide field for the activities of highly specialized specialists called entomologists.

History and objects studied by entomologists

People have been interested in insects since ancient times, and the first studies were mainly related to agriculture and the influence of individual varieties on crop yields. Thus, papyri found in Egypt contained a description of locusts that devastated the surrounding fields.

Chinese manuscripts outlined methods for breeding silkworms and tips for exterminating pests that ate plants in gardens and vegetable gardens.

Until the middle of the 19th century, most entomological studies were limited to the description of chitinous skeletons and appearance invertebrates, and with the advent of such great scientists as Charles Darwin, Carl Ritter von Frisch and Edward Wilson, Special attention began to pay attention to the histological structure individual parts their bodies.

Over time, the study of the habits of insects, their geographical distribution and methods of pest control has acquired considerable importance in science.

According to the traditional classification, today there are about four dozen existing and extinct orders of insects, among which the largest group is Coleoptera, or beetles (more than 392 thousand species).

Diptera (mosquitoes, flies, midges), Lepidoptera (butterflies), Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps, bumblebees) and Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts, crickets) are widespread. Arachnids (, ticks, scorpions) are included in a separate group, of which there are more than 114 thousand species on the planet today.

The main habitat of insects is places with a distribution of terrestrial flora, mainly flowering plants, although individual groups can be found on snowless mountain peaks, in arid deserts and in the depths of dark caves and grottoes. The most abundant invertebrates in the tropical climatic zone, are least common in Arctic latitudes and Antarctica.

A large and diverse order of insects are the so-called synanthropes, which can only survive near humans. These include cockroaches, bed bugs, house flies.

What does an entomologist do?

In general, the main activity of an entomologist is the study existing species insects and the search for new varieties, however, depending on the specialization, each scientist solves individual problems.

Thus, an entomologist, whose field of activity includes research, puts forward various hypotheses, and then looks for confirmation of them. For example, the main directions of genetics were studied on Drosophila flies, and infrared radiation sensors were developed on Morpho butterflies.

If an entomologist specializes in studying the diversity of existing species, he travels across countries and continents, catches insects, and then classifies them into orders and groups.

Scientists in the field of forensic entomology - no matter how scary it sounds - study the features of the development of invertebrates on human corpses, and specialists in the historical field study the embryonic and post-embryonic development of insects from the moment they appeared on the globe.

There is also such a science as applied entomology, aimed at studying “insects” that cause harm to agriculture and directly to humans. An important task for specialists in this field is to find ways to combat crop eaters and disease-carrying insects.

It is noteworthy that when we look at large collections of insects in museums, wear silk clothes or use poison for cockroaches, we do not even think that all this is the result of the work of entomologists, thanks to whom many amazing discoveries have been made in our world.

Description:

Entomologist - specialist top level qualifications in biological sciences.

Entomology (from other Greek έντομον - insect and λόγος - word, doctrine) is a branch of zoology that studies insects. Since the diversity of insects is very large (more than 3 million species), their importance and the number of specialists studying them are very large

Historical reference

Entomology has its origins in ancient times and cultures, mainly in the context of agriculture (especially biological control and beekeeping). However, scientific research dates back to around the 16th century.

The list of entomologists is enormous, and includes such major biologists as Charles Darwin, writer Vladimir Nabokov, Karl Frisch (Nobel laureate 1973) and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Professor Edward Wilson.

Study of insect anatomy until the mid-19th century. was limited mainly to the description of parts of the chitinous skeleton and external appearance various systems insect organs; Later, the main focus was the study of the histological structure of various parts of the body of insects.

An entomologist is a specialist who studies the structure and life activity of insects, their historical and individual development, distribution on Earth, diversity of forms, relationships with environment etc.

Depending on the subject of study, entomology is divided into general and applied. General entomology includes the anatomy of insects, their cytology and histology, physiology, ecology, entomogeography and systematics.

There is also forensic or forensic entomology - this is a branch of forensic medicine that studies the characteristics of the development of insects on a corpse and the nature of the damage they cause. The age of the corpse is determined based on the following gradation of the appearance of various stages of development of blow flies on it: up to 4 hours there are no eggs or larvae, 4-6 hours - 10-12 hours of egg laying, 24 hours the appearance of larvae, 36 hours 2-3 days 1 weeks increase in larval size, 2 weeks beginning of pupation

The work of an entomologist begins with collecting material and observing insects in their natural places a habitat. Identification of rare forms and new species still unknown to science, collecting insects - the most important task entomologist.

What practical significance does the work of an entomologist have?

Practical measures to combat harmful insects often encounter a variety of natural obstacles and are feasible only with accurate knowledge of the lifestyle of pests; detailed biological studies and observations of harmful insects make it possible to avoid many mistakes based on unfamiliarity with the biology of insects. The methods of fighting themselves are gradually being improved; In this regard, the invention of a method of spraying plants with poisonous liquids in order to poison insects that attack these plants is especially important.

The practical significance and development of entomology is clearly expressed in the existence in different countries a large number of entomological societies and many special journals and publications devoted to entomology.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts research work in the field of entomology (the science of insects).
• Study, systematize and classify insects.
• Explores origins individual species insects, their development, life activity and their interaction with the environment.
• Develops proposals for practical application research results.
• Engaged in the preparation of scientific documentation and reports.

Requirements:

Personal qualities

Highly developed powers of observation, the ability to notice the smallest changes in the shape, size of the insect being studied, shades of color and their combination, behavioral characteristics, constant comparison with those imprinted in memory famous images characterize a true taxonomist.

Professional knowledge and skills

A modern professional entomologist has deep and versatile knowledge. In modern entomology, experimental and technical methods are widely used. It is not uncommon for an entomologist to use considerable creativity and technical skill to adapt the instrument to study small objects such as insects and mites. For almost anyone experimental work with insects there are special installations where the necessary temperature conditions, intended for growing living material. This job requires patience, persistence, and the ability to perform repeated, precise, and dexterous manual operations.

Education

Higher professional education