Why Entomology?

Insect species outnumber all other life forms combined. Human health, local and global economies, and sustainable food and water supplies all depend on state-of-the-art knowledge about insects, their integral roles in ecosystems, and their effective management. Every year research-based strategies for control of insect-borne diseases save millions of lives. Pollination by honey bees and other insects ensures the availability of fruits and vegetables in our diets. Insect communities are important indicators of environmental quality and their study advances ecosystem restoration and management.

While most species are beneficial, insect pests account for more deaths than all wars combined, destroy food and fiber, and damage homes and other structures. It’s no wonder that entomologists, biomedical researchers, environmental scientists, and evolutionary biologists study insects to understand the biological world, improve the human condition, and protect the environment.

What Makes Us Special?

Our Department

Our department of Entomology is one of the best in the nation. We are the only university in Ohio to offer an undergraduate major in entomology. This major couples a strong background in the biological sciences with in-depth study of insect biology and applied entomology.  Students learn insect physiology, behavior, ecology, taxonomy and systematics, toxicology, as well as beekeeping, veterinary and public health entomology, sustainable agriculture, and integrated pest management in agricultural, forest, and urban environments. 

Our Faculty

Faculty in the Department of Entomology engage in both basic and applied research. We use insects as model systems to further fundamental understanding of molecular biology, physiology, genetics, ecology and evolution. Department faculty contribute to outreach and engagement activitites both within and external to the university. Extension programs in the department provide information to agricultural and industry groups and the general public in Ohio, the U.S. and throughout the world.

Stone Lab