|
|
Post by gradyleb on Feb 18, 2012 8:09:57 GMT -8
Hey guys,
I was wondering what type of training/education do you guys have? You all collect/study insects, so what kind of education background or special training have you received to prepare for this(if any)?
Grady
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Feb 18, 2012 9:57:32 GMT -8
Hey guys, I was wondering what type of training/education do you guys have? You all collect/study insects, so what kind of education background or special training have you received to prepare for this(if any)? Grady I had the best insect collection in my high school biology class! Does that count?  |
|
|
|
Post by nomihoudai on Feb 18, 2012 10:01:02 GMT -8
We made an insect collection in 1st grade (when I was 6) and because I liked the collection the most and contributed a lot to it all the kids agreed that I could keep the collection after the school year was over. Lol
|
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Feb 18, 2012 11:08:32 GMT -8
Apart from the biology i had in highschool, i've had no further education or training within zoology.
My parents saw how facinated i was in bugs as little and bought me a net when i was 3 years old. Thats what got me started.
|
|
|
|
Post by gradyleb on Feb 18, 2012 11:58:54 GMT -8
Does anybody have any degrees in entomology?
|
|
|
|
Post by saturniidave on Feb 18, 2012 16:55:58 GMT -8
I think you will find most people on here are pure amateurs, very few professionals.
I have had no training and a poor education but 47 years of experience. My elder brothers had a collection and my Father always had large cases of tropical butterflies on the wall, so you could say I have been surrounded by butterflies from birth!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post by nomihoudai on Feb 19, 2012 1:59:07 GMT -8
I would say the question if one has a a special education/ studied entomology is not that important as you may think.
Entomology is a specialization within the specialization of zoology within the study of biology. The whole education of biology takes (at least in Germany) 5 years (zoology then 3 and entomology maybe one or two lectures of a single year). Of course these 5 years give a big leap in knowledge but nothing someone with the given time can take up.
What is more important is how long somebody has been actively into this hobby. I know somebody here in my country that is working for a bank but in his free time he studied Lepidoptera on his own for 40 years and he is a well of information. I went collecting with him once and it simply is mind blowing, he tells you all the time "this is that and that plant, that and that species feed on them, look there is one", "oh you search for Glyphipterigidae , they feed on that, look I got one". That day I felt like being in another country as I saw and caught stuff I would never have imagined to be found here.
This man has no professional education on Lepidoptera yet he is the leading expert in my country. Education has nothing to say, it is what you do with it that counts!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2012 5:04:44 GMT -8
nomihoudai, I couldn't have said it any better-----well done In so doing, you saved a few minutes in typing my thoughts in a Reply...... |
|
|
|
Post by gradyleb on Feb 19, 2012 8:13:46 GMT -8
wow, I didn't expect that  Thanks for answering my petty questions guys, just goes to show that you don't need any special education to do what we do. I'm kind of happy now, I was feeling a little out of place, I was under the impression that most(if not all of you) had some sort of special training while I had none. This brightens my day  Although I still have much less experience than any of you, lurking around it appears most of you have more years of experience than I've been alive! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by jshuey on Feb 26, 2012 6:55:38 GMT -8
wow, I didn't expect that Thanks for answering my petty questions guys, just goes to show that you don't need any special education to do what we do. I'm kind of happy now, I was feeling a little out of place, I was under the impression that most(if not all of you) had some sort of special training while I had none. This brightens my day Although I still have much less experience than any of you, lurking around it appears most of you have more years of experience than I've been alive! ;D I think that you will find that there are all levels of educational background involved in insect collecting. I spent too many years in colleges myself, in large part because I enjoyed learning about insect biology that I just found myself wanting more and more. Hell, I'd still be in school if there was a way.... Too many collectors are intimidated by some of the societies out there, but I think that at least two of these do a great job of blending professionals and amateurs together (in North America - I'm sure that there are similar nice blends in other regions as well) The Lepidopterists' Society and the Coleopterists' Society are both blends and field oriented collectors and professionals. I especially love the meetings, which are a way to meet people with so much experience, and are so happy to share their knowledge. Shuey |
|
|
|
Post by panzerman on Feb 26, 2012 18:13:11 GMT -8
I have absolutely no education in entomology.... When I visited the Natural History(Entomology) museum in Paris, they would not let me see their collection, since I was as they put it, "an amateur" Yet, I know all the sp., ssp., most forms of papilionidae. I educated myself by investing in good books. The German series on Butterflies of the World" is very good for detailed reference. Just like in my coin collecting hobby, you have too know your stuff, always try to get specimens in perfect quality, proper data, precise mounting techique, proper safe storage. John Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by jshuey on Feb 27, 2012 10:34:47 GMT -8
In response to Panzerman's post of being turned away from the museum - having a solid and documented background opens doors for you. This can be formal education, or informal, such as membership, participation and volunteer leadership role in a "professional" society.
Here in the states, there are indeed amateurs (people with little or no formal training) that are more professional than many of the "professionals" who have their PhDs in Entomology. I can easily name a dozen friends that are research associates at national and regional research museums, and who contribute mightily to the knowledge base on this side of the Pond. But at some point, someone has to vouch for you -- they don't just let "anyone" wander around the back rooms of museums. All it takes is going to a few meetings, introducing yourself to curators, and then following up to see if you can visit. Engage, associate and ingratiate..., that's how you build credibility in all fields.
Like I said earlier, I went to school for too long, I've been a member of the Lep Soc for over 25 years, I attend most of the annual meetings, and I work for a global conservation organization. But I'll point out that the professionals consider me to be one of the "amateurs" - which is pretty much how I view myself as well. But using some connection from all that history, I can usually find a key that will unlock the doors I try and enter.
Right now I'm working on a Cuban door. Check back in a couple of years, and I'd be willing to bet you that I'll have been through it by then...
I think it has been worth the effort I've devoted to establishing my credentials - because I love field work in the Neotropics, and it seems like there are more and more barriers to collecting as time passes.
Shuey
|
|
|
|
Post by thanos on Feb 27, 2012 23:39:59 GMT -8
Hm,about museums,,when I was 15 and visited the Natural History Museum of London, I asked there to see in person Dr D.Carter,senior scientific officer of the entomology department of the museum. He came to me and,when I started telling him a lot of scientific names of Lepidoptera, he took me at the basement of the museum and was showing me the HUGE and magnificent Lepidoptera collection there -not open to the publics- for about 2 hours ! It was a so great experience I had  ! Thanos |
|
|
|
Post by johnnyboy on Feb 28, 2012 5:50:57 GMT -8
I took a degree in Environmental Chemistry. In the first year I took the option to do an extra year course in Invertebrate Zoology. It was mostly entomology and really interesting. I had been collecting insects long before I went to university and my background knowledge really helped me.
I agree that you don't need academic qualifications to be a competent entomologist - many of the staff at the NHM in London were largely self-taught but are leaders in their chosen fields.
The academic staff at the entomology department at the NHM in London are really helpful, friendly and egalitarian - something they have told me that some of their counterparts in the Paris Entomology Museum are often not. The Paris academics have (on occassion at least) refused to send type specimens to London (even though they are available and they're supposed to) and behaved in a generally superior way. I'm not surprised by John's experience of not being allowed to see their collections. It's surprising that they have that attitude because most of the French collectors and dealers are really knowledgeable and nice people.
Johnny
|
|
|
|
Post by joee30 on Feb 28, 2012 6:10:27 GMT -8
I've learned and liked lepidoptera from an early age. I statrted to collect and trade at age 14, volunteered at the Natural history Museum of L.A. County through high school, and worked at the Insect Zoo there for 5 years. I know people many people both amateur and professional. Now, I'm in the U.S. Army and I still collect, but am very knowledgable.
|
|
!