Bug Note Episode 14: Entomology
About Episode 14
Insects are everywhere, and so are entomologists. While we typically think about entomologists collecting bugs in the field and pinning them in a lab, that’s just one example of the variety of work entomologists do. On this episode of Bug Note, Daniel Potter chats about the diverse career paths within the world of entomology with Christy Bills, NHMU’s Invertebrate Collections Manager, and Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist.
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Bills like to say that entomology is a people’s science — no matter your age or degree of training, there are ways to get involved in appreciating and protecting insect life. And for those seeking a professional career within the field of entomology, there are plenty of areas one can specialize in.
“Insects touch every part of human existence,” said Cryan. “There are entomologists who are medical doctors, like epidemiologists. There are veterinarians who study insect-related illnesses. There are agricultural workers. There are entomologists in every kind of career path.”
Why are entomologists needed in these fields? While some insects serve as pollinators, others are invasive pests that can destroy crops. Entomologists who work in agriculture can help ensure that crops are healthy and catch early signs of pest activity.
But the importance of entomology goes beyond agricultural pursuits. By studying how insects live, behave, and overcome challenges, humans can learn from their success — after all, they have been evolving survival strategies for millions of years. “Insects can serve as models for understanding natural processes like evolution,” said Bills.
They can also inspire advancements in medicine. Insects are providing researchers with inspiration — helping in the development of treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s or cancer, as well as pain relief strategies for things like rheumatoid arthritis (pursuits that you can learn more about by visiting Bug World). Entomologists within the medical field can also track harmful viruses carried by mosquitoes and other arthropods, working to keep the public safe from illness.
About Bug Note
Bug Note is hosted by Daniel Potter, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by Blank Space. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.
Authors
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By Olivia Barney
Olivia serves as NHMU’s Marketing Copywriter/Coordinator, where she collaborates across departments to craft engaging stories that help bring groundbreaking research projects to life. She might be the Oxford comma’s number one fan.
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By Dan Potter
Daniel Potter is a science writer and audio producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He's reported for Nashville Public Radio and KQED in San Francisco, and has appeared on Science Friday and PBS NewsHour. He's also written for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some of his writing appears in the 2023 book Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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By Jason Cryan, Ph.D.
Areas of Expertise • Museum administration and leadership • Evolutionary biology • Entomology • Plant-feeding insects of the Order Hemiptera • Planthoppers, spittlebugs, treehoppers Background Jason Cryan, Ph.D., serves as the fourth executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. With its rich, 50-year history as the most important natural history museum in America’s...
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By Christy Bills
Areas of Expertise • Insect collection curation • Science communication • Fireflies in the Western U.S. • Community Science Background Christy joined the Museum staff in 1998 and has been managing the invertebrate collections with the help of volunteers and interns ever since. Moving from 19th century technologies, she shepherded the collection from outdated housing to archival...
