Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Entomologist
Insect study — important for agriculture and disease in Africa
What this life looks like
You study insects — the most diverse and ecologically critical group of animals on Earth. Entomologists investigate insect biology, ecology, and behaviour with applications in agriculture, public health, and conservation. In Africa, entomology is literally a matter of life and death: mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and locusts directly shape the health and livelihoods of millions.
What she actually does
You collect and identify insect species, study insect behaviour and life cycles, investigate insect-transmitted diseases such as malaria and sleeping sickness, develop pest management strategies for agriculture, research insect biodiversity, advise on vector control programmes, and contribute to understanding how insects respond to environmental change.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Research Institutes | ICIPE Nairobi (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology), IITA, CIMMYT |
| Public Health Agencies | National malaria control programmes, WHO Africa vector control teams, Africa CDC |
| Agricultural Research | CABI Africa, national agricultural research systems — crop pest management |
| Universities | Entomology and zoology departments at Nairobi, Ibadan, Makerere, UCT |
Why it matters in Africa
Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, kills hundreds of thousands of Africans annually — mostly children. Locusts can devastate crops across thousands of kilometres in days. African entomologists studying these insects in African contexts are generating irreplaceable knowledge that saves lives and protects food security.
Your pathway in
- Study Biology, Chemistry, and Agriculture at school
- Pursue a degree in Entomology, Zoology, or Biological Sciences
- Develop expertise in insect identification, molecular techniques, and vector biology
- Gain research experience through attachments with agricultural research institutes or public health agencies
- Consider postgraduate specialisation in medical entomology, agricultural entomology, or insect ecology
Skills you will need
- Insect identification and taxonomy
- Vector biology and epidemiology
- Field collection techniques
- Molecular biology methods
- Insect rearing and colony maintenance
- Data analysis and scientific writing
A woman in this field
Dr. Tibebu Habtewold
Ethiopia
Tibebu is an Ethiopian malaria entomologist and researcher at Imperial College London who grew up in Ethiopia. Her research focuses on understanding the biology of malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes, particularly their genetic variation and how this affects malaria transmission across Africa. Her work contributes directly to developing new malaria control strategies for the African continent.
Take your first step
- Start noticing and identifying insects in your local environment — document what you find with photos
- Study Biology and Chemistry at school
- Research the work of ICIPE in Nairobi, which is the world's leading insect research centre focused on Africa, at icipe.org
- Follow the Entomological Society of Africa and African Entomology journal online
Careers close to this one
- Zoologist
- Ecologist
- Public Health Specialist
- Agricultural Scientist
- Microbiologist