Collecting, killing, and preserving insects is a crucial practice in entomology, contributing to scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and even environmental education. However, like any activity involving living organisms, insect collecting must be approached with responsibility and care. Ethical insect collection ensures that both individual species and ecosystems are preserved for future generations. It also means that we treat individual insects with respect, dignity, and care. They may look very much unlike us, but they are living creatures in their own right, with their own lives, relationships, and interests.
Below we offer an introduction to seven key ethical principles to consider when collecting insects.
1. Consider the Purpose of Collection
The ethics of insect collection begins before you even start collecting specimens. It’s first important to ask yourself: What is the purpose of collecting? What is the justification for capturing and killing these creatures? And can I meet my entomological needs without collecting my own specimens?
Very often, you will have very good reasons for collecting: for scientific study, conservation programs, environmental education—even for the deep love and appreciation of their beauty. There are many legitimate grounds for collection, but it’s always best to first ask: Do I need to collect this insect?
2. Conservation Considerations
Insects play a fundamental role in ecosystems, from pollinating plants to recycling nutrients. Some species, however, are under threat due to habitat loss, climate change, and human activities. Ethical insect collection means prioritising conservation efforts and ensuring that populations of vulnerable or endangered species are not further diminished. Collectors must be mindful of regional conservation statuses, which are often outlined by organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Before embarking on any collecting activity, it is essential to research the local species and understand which ones may be threatened. Many countries have regulations in place to protect certain species from over-collection, and adhering to these rules is a cornerstone of ethical collecting. Collectors should avoid over-harvesting in small, fragile, or isolated populations, as these are particularly vulnerable to depletion.
3. Minimising Environmental Impact
Responsible collectors should aim to minimise their footprint on the environment. When collecting in natural habitats, care should be taken to leave the surroundings undisturbed. While we sometimes need to dig holes for drop traps, or overturn rocks and logs to uncover burrowing critters, we should do so with prudence. This means not damaging vegetation, avoiding destruction of microhabitats such as dead wood or leaf litter, and being careful not to disrupt other wildlife.
Collecting should also be done in moderation. Over-collection can lead to local extinction events, particularly for species that have small populations or restricted distributions. Ethical collectors often follow the principle of taking only what is necessary for research, study, or display, leaving the majority of the population intact.
4. Proper Permits and Documentation
In many regions, insect collection requires permits, especially in protected areas such as national parks, conservation zones, or ecological reserves. These permits not only ensure that collecting is done within legal bounds but also often involve reporting requirements that help authorities monitor insect populations and biodiversity.
Collectors should always respect these legal frameworks, both in their own countries and abroad. International insect collection, in particular, may be subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates the transport of certain species across borders. For the regulations of collection in Australia, CSRIRO has published this guide.
5. Humane Collection Techniques
Ethical insect collectors strive to minimise suffering and harm to the organisms they collect. Humane methods of collection, handling, and killing insects are essential to responsible practice. While insects do not have the same nervous system as humans, most scientists believe they can experience distress of some kind. Techniques that reduce stress or pain should be employed, such as using methods that are quick and effective in euthanising insects.
For example, using ethyl acetate in a kill jar is a common method that allows for a swift, humane end. Freezing collected specimens is another method that causes minimal distress. Additionally, collectors should always handle insects with care to avoid unnecessary injury, both during capture and transport. We’ve provided a basic guide to humane preservation in this blog post.
6. Treating Specimens with Respect
The ethics of insect collection doesn’t end after you’ve trapped and euthanised your specimen. Instead, responsible collectors will treat their specimens with respect and care even once the insect has been pinned. This goes back to a principle of justified insect collection, meaning that specimens are collected only for good, legitimate use.
In practice, this means considerations such as: ensuring that specimens are kept in good condition, that they are enjoyed for use for the widest variety of purposes, and they are stored in a responsible way that encourages use.
7. Education and Sharing Knowledge
A key part of ethical collecting is contributing to the greater good of science and public understanding. Ethical collectors often share their findings with researchers, museums, or conservation groups. Doing so ensures that the knowledge gained from the collected specimens benefits society and helps to foster greater awareness of insect diversity and the challenges these species face.
Additionally, educating others about the importance of insects in ecosystems and promoting responsible collecting practices is an essential aspect of ethical entomology. This can involve engaging with the public through lectures, social media, or participating in citizen science projects.
Closing: Putting Ethics to Practice
Insect collection, when done ethically, is a really important tool for understanding the natural world and contributing to scientific discovery. By following ethical principles—justified use, conservation, minimal environmental impact, obtaining proper permits, using humane methods, and sharing knowledge—collectors can ensure that their actions do not harm insect populations or ecosystems. As the world faces increasing environmental pressures, it is more important than ever to approach insect collection with a sense of responsibility and stewardship for nature.
If you want to learn more about ethical insect collection, below are a few resources to check out:
- Amateur Entomologists’ Society, A code of conduct for collecting insects and other invertebrates.
- American Entomologist, The Insect Collectors’ Code.
- Faunalytics, Entomology And The Ethical Treatment Of Insects.
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