entomologist

American  

[en-tuh-mol-uh-jist] / ˌɛn təˈmɒl ə dʒɪst /

noun

1. a scientist who specializes in insects.

   Entomologists believe a predatory wasp may be more effective at stemming the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer beetle than standard traps.

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Etymology

Origin of entomologist

First recorded in 1770–80; entomolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Explanation

If you are crazy about spiders, ants, beetles, and other creepy-crawlies, you might aspire to be an entomologist someday — a scientist who studies insects. An entomologist is a specific type of zoologist, or animal scientist. While other zoologists might focus on mammals or reptiles, entomologists are fascinated with the most prolific organisms on earth — insects. Some entomologists classify and study species, while others are certified to be pest control experts, helping people battle bugs like cockroaches and termites in their homes. The Greek word entomon, or "insect," is at the root of entomologist.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

entomologist

Painstaking forensic work - including from an entomologist who analysed insect activity on the body - gave an estimate of when he had died.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2025

When Sagne, who was an entomologist before retiring to the woods, compares the group to an ant colony, everyone appears to accept at face value the superficial aptitude of her analogy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2025

“This is new,” said Rya Seltzer, an entomologist at Tel Aviv University and an author of the study.

From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2024

"We saw significant differences in the death rates using insecticide alone versus the insecticide plus pinene," said UCR entomologist Dong-Hwan Choe, who led the discovery.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2024

The entomologist, whose specialty is insects, is not so qualified by training, and is not psychologically disposed to look for undesirable side effects of his control program.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson