A Career with Bugs

If insects fascinate you, if you are accurate with details and if you do not mind tromping through the forrest, then the career of a parataxonomist is for you. Parataxonomists are part of a biological project aimed at cataloging the diverse insect population of Costa Rica. These field biologists are responsible for collecting and categorizing species of caterpillars, moths and butterflies.Their work requires intensive identification training. Most are native Costa Ricans who know the forrest and who harbor a love for biology. The career of a parataxonomist has opened many doors to Cost Ricans.

 Parataxonomists begin their work day by going out into the forrest and collecting the specimens on that days "grocery list." Insects and plants must be collected daily and our group had the opportunity to assist with that days "shopping" as we headed off to the forest. 

After the caterpillars have been collected in the forrest, they are taken to this station to be cataloged. The data is recorded and they are then transferred from jars to bags. If a new or unknown species were to be found it would be frozen and sent to the United States for identification. 

 Caterpillars blend in easily with their forrest environment so parataxonomists are required to have keen eye sight. The parataxonomists might have had some aversions to insects before beginning their careers in biology, but now the workers are unfazed by the constant interaction with insects. 

Rows of plastic bags line the inside of this barn. Here, parataxonomists check on insect health, clean bags and feed the caterpillars 

 At another parataxonomist station butterflies are captured and cataloged. Costa Rica is home to thousands of butterflies and the project has made many discoveries about the butterfly population. New species have been discovered and species not native to Costa Rica have been found living in the country.