Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

hi my name is uri and i am doing a science fair project and i have to interview a zoologist so here are a few questions btw my topic is :Does temperature effect butterfly rate of development

1.How long does it normally take for a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly?
2.How long do butterflies normally live?
3.how long is a butterfly in a cocoon?
4.how long is the caterpillar a caterpillar?
5.what are the butterflies most common predators?

If you could please answer these questions it would be greatly appreciated thank you

Hi,

You said your science project was about insect development so you should talk to an insect expert--an entomologist--rather than a zoologist. Scientists are usually specialists in certain areas so that is where their knowledge is greatest. In fact, if you can do a search and locate someone who is an expert in butterflies and moths, that would be even better. PhD graduate students know a lot about their field and they are also good people to interview.

Good luck!

Sybee

HI,


Thank you for your help I just have a few questions could I still use the same questions and could you recommend me, someone, I really appreciate your help thank you.

Thank you,
URI

Hello Uri,
I agree with Sybee's recommendation that you are looking at a project in entomology, not zoology.

I do wonder if you have been asked to interview an entomologist or if you are preparing to do a science project?

If you need to interview an entomologist, then please read the Science Buddies guidelines for interviews:

viewtopic.php?f=82&t=12052

In particular, review paragraph 4 which notes that interview requests should not include questions about the background of your project. Interview questions should aim to ask the scientist about his/her experience and work in entomology.

If you do want to interview an entomologist, please revise your questions following the guidelines and post your request in this section:
viewforum.php?f=82

If you are looking for help finding the answer to your background questions, the science buddies project guide has some good suggestions to help you do your background research:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ience-fair

Best of luck, and please do not hesitate to post again with more questions!

Hi,
Thank you for your recommendation I was told to interview a zoologist but if you think I should interview a entomologist then I will try and I will use different questions can you recommend me a entomologist thank you for your help I really appreciate it.


Thank you,
Uri

Hi,
i kind of made a mistake the tittle of my science fair project is which temperature is the best for caterpillars to become butterflies i don't know if this will change the person i should interview but if you could answer that would be greatly thankful.

Hi Uri,

An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects so your title would be something they might be familiar with. An entomologist is a zoologist who specializes in insects. If you can't locate an entomologist to interview, a zoologist would be acceptable. All life scientists have to take similar basic science courses and have some familiarity with a lot of areas outside their specialty.

Good luck!

Sybee

Hi,
Thank you is it possible for you to recommend me to a website where I could interview someone

Entomologists work at universities or some companies. If there is a university in your area go to their webpage and find the life sciences department. Look through the list of professors in the department and see if there is one that does insect research. Alternatively you could search the scientific literature for scientists specializing in butterflies and find out where they work and contact them specifically.

Here are a couple of lists of places that entomologists work to give you some other ideas where you could look:

https://www.indeed.com/q-Entomologist-jobs.html
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/entomolog ... KO0,12.htm
http://www.entsoc.org/listjobs

Sybee

Hi,
Thank you do you think you can recommend me to someone that I can interview online if you can it would be greatly appreciated

Thank you,
URI

Hi Uti,

I don't know anyone you could talk to. My specialty is biochemistry so I don't have much contact with entomologists. You are the scientist and part of your project is to interview another scientist. Do a search as I suggested and find some people who work on insects. If there is an agricultural extension service in your county try calling them. They get lots of calls from people in the community who have questions about insects. They always have a person who may have a degree in entomology to answer people's questions about insects. So try calling them and tell them about your science project. They will be happy to help you.

hi,
thank you but I just need a zoologist to answer these questions

1, how long did you have to go to school?
2.why did you choose to become a zoologist?
3.how long have you been a zoologist?
4.what is your job like?
5.how long is your day?

thank you URI

OK. Did you go to the websites of universities in your state and look for zoologists on the faculty? They would be in the biology or life sciences department. When you find a zoologist give them a call, tell them who you are and explain why you are calling--a VERY brief interview for school science project.

Good luck,

Sybee