Field Entomology

Summer 2027, July 12th - July 24th

Bumble bee on a whitish flower

Bumble bee (Credit: W. Bowman)

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth and play essential roles in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This intensive field course introduces students to the diversity, ecology, and natural history of insects in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Through daily field excursions, students will explore a variety of habitats, from montane forests and meadows to alpine ecosystems, learning to observe, collect, identify, and study insects in their natural environments. Students will gain hands-on experience with entomological field methods, insect identification, and approaches to investigating insect behavior, species interactions, and ecological patterns.

The course will emphasize learning to recognize major insect groups, understanding their ecological roles, and developing skills in natural history observation. Students will contribute to a class insect collection, learning the importance of physical specimens for scientific research, while also using photography and iNaturalist to document biodiversity and minimize unnecessary collecting.

No previous experience with entomology is required. The course is designed for students interested in ecology, evolution, biodiversity, and natural history.

Instructor: Julian Resasco, University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Mountain Research Station (Nederland, CO) and surrounding areas
Dates & Times: July 12th - July 24th, Monday - Saturday
Credit: 3 credit hours in biology (EBIO 4100)
Tuition: $2500 USD (Includes room in a 2-person rustic cabin and all meals at the Mountain Research Station on days when class is in session)

Prerequisite: One year course work in general biology. 

For more information:

Questions about staying at the Mountain Research Station during your course?

Registration begins in March.

How to register for this course
 

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A group of students gather around an alpine tundra wetland, with mountains and blue skies behind them
A red-breasted nuthatch sits on a branch with an insect in its beak.
Closeup of a small alpine plant with yellow flowers
An American pika forages avens on Niwot Ridge. Photo by Craig Stevenson.
A scientist sits at the edge of a high alpine lake while collecting water samples
Windy winter weather scene in the subalpine of Colorado. Drifting snowbanks lie at the foot of krumholtz crippled trees with snowy mountains in the background (Photo: Bill Bowman)