Curiosity, Community, and Collecting in Entomology: An Interview with Jessica Ware

Didn’t think collecting could be more than just a hobby?

Lisa Heldke—Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus, interviews entomological taxonomist and evolutionary biologist Jessica Ware—Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. Her research focuses on the identification and grouping of insects to assess how different species have evolved over time and across geographical locations. Ware is also one of the founding members of Entomologists of Color, which aims to support POC in the field of entomology and encourage more participation.

In this interview, Ware helps us understand the value that collecting insects and studying entomology have held throughout history. This discussion highlights how people across time and cultures have been fascinated by insects, and that this curiosity has opened up doors for us to evaluate biodiversity and population change into today. Ware also emphasizes the importance of more accessible entomological collections and paths to studying entomology going forward. Sparking both wonder and critical questions about the natural world can draw in new perspectives to help solve the world’s most pressing issues—many of which are intertwined with insects.

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