What Entomology Dept does

The UC Riverside Department of Entomology is a public academic department within the University of California system, founded in 1915 and ranked second in the world for entomology by the Center for World University Rankings. It operates academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate (MS/PhD), and postdoctoral levels, and houses more than 35 faculty conducting research across insect biology, biological control, chemical ecology, molecular entomology, neuroscience, medical/veterinary entomology, systematics, toxicology, and urban entomology. The department runs six specialized research centers (CCB, CIDVR, CIBER, CIBC, CISR, Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases) and operates the Entomology Research Museum, which provides fee-based diagnostic and identification services to homeowners, commercial agricultural clients, and medical/forensic personnel.

The department's business model is predominantly public-sector and non-commercial: primary funding flows through UC system allocations, state appropriations, and research grants, supplemented by donations to endowed funds (Harry Scott Smith, Entomology Fund for Excellence, Advancing Inclusivity in Entomology Scholarship). Fee-based revenue streams include the annual Youth Summer Camp ($350/student, 15-seat cap) and the diagnostic services priced by urgency and client type (ranging from free rapid identification for the public to $341/hour for expert witness testimony). Pricing is transactional and pay-as-you-go, with annual "bench" fees for U.S. Fish & Wildlife permitting exam use of the collection. Distribution is regional (California/U.S.) through direct academic enrollment, in-person diagnostic intake, community events (annual Riverside Insect Fair), and digital channels (podcast, YouTube, social media). The go-to-market is community-led, centered on outreach, education, public engagement, and applied research partnerships with industry associations (ESA, Xerces Society, UC IPM).

Name

Entomology Dept

Legal name

Regents of the University of California

Website

https://entomology.ucr.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The UC Riverside Department of Entomology is a public academic department, founded 1915 and ranked second globally for entomology, serving students, researchers, agricultural clients, and the public through degree programs, six research centers, diagnostic identification services, and community outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Research and Education Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (924120), Exterminating and Pest Control Services (561710)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Vector Control & Veterinary Entomology Programs (HLAMAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sanitation, Habitat Modification & Prevention Consulting (HSAMAFAJ), Property Inspection, Monitoring & Prevention Plans (HSAMAEAJ)

Keywords

• Entomology education
• Insect diagnostics
• Academic research
• Integrated pest management
• Arthropod studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs: The department generates revenue through educational programs including a Youth Summer Camp ($350 per student) and continuing education offerings.
2. Diagnostic and Identification Services: Fee-based insect identification services for homeowners/general public, commercial clients, and medical/forensic purposes with varying rates based on urgency and client type.
3. Donations and Endowed Funds: The department receives donations through various endowed funds including the Entomological Museum and Insect Collection fund, Entomology Fund for Excellence, Advancing Inclusivity in Entomology Scholarship, and Harry Scott Smith Endowed Fund in Entomology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The UC Riverside Department of Entomology delivers academic programs in entomology at undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, conducts research across more than 35 faculty specializations, and provides fee-based diagnostic insect identification services for homeowners, commercial entities, and medical/forensic personnel. It also runs public outreach including the annual Riverside Insect Fair, Youth Summer Camps, and curated educational resources on insects and arthropods.

Product overview

The UC Riverside Department of Entomology is a university academic unit ranked second in the world by the Center for World University Rankings. Rather than a commercial product, it offers a portfolio of academic educational programs (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral), research services, and public outreach. The department operates six specialized research centers focusing on conservation biology, vector-borne diseases, bee research, invasive species, and biological collections. Service offerings include diagnostic insect identification for agriculture, medicine, and law enforcement, plus youth education through summer camps and public outreach including the annual Riverside Insect Fair. Over 35 faculty members conduct research across diverse specializations including biological control, chemical ecology, medical entomology, molecular entomology, neuroscience, and urban entomology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Graduate Studies Program Graduate-level academic program in entomology offering MS and PhD degrees with research specializations including arthropod vectors of plant pathogens, biological control, chemical ecology, medical/veterinary entomology, molecular entomology, neuroscience, systematics, toxicology, and urban entomology for prospective graduate students.
• Undergraduate Programs in Entomology Undergraduate academic program providing foundational education in entomology for students pursuing careers in scientific research, agriculture, and environmental science at UC Riverside.
• Postdoctoral Scholars Program Advanced research training program for recent PhD graduates conducting specialized entomological research under faculty supervision at UC Riverside.
• Diagnostics and Identification Services Fee-based insect identification services for agricultural, landscape, legal, medical, and structural specimens, including rapid identification for homeowners and medical/forensic identification for professionals. Provided by the Entomology Research Museum with hourly rates varying by urgency and client type.
• Entomology Youth Summer Camp Annual summer program for students entering grades 9-12 exploring entomology careers through hands-on experiments, campus insect collection, and exposure to university-level curriculum covering insect biodiversity, molecular biology, urban entomology, and agriculture. Tuition of $350 per student with need-based scholarships available.
• Research Centers Six specialized research centers including Center for Conservation Biology (CCB), Center for Infectious Disease and Vector Research (CIDVR), Center for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER), Center for Integrative Biological Collections (CIBC), Center for Invasive Species Research (CISR), and Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, conducting research on topics from pollinator health to invasive species management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 2nd in the world by Center for World University Rankings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Entomological Society of AmericacoreOthersProfessional entomological society providing industry leadership, conferences, publications, and professional development resources for entomologists.
• Lorquin SocietyminorOthersRegional entomological society serving Southern California with meetings, field trips, and networking for entomology enthusiasts.
• UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide UC program providing research-based integrated pest management solutions for California, aligned with the department's pest management research focus.
• Xerces SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization focused on invertebrate conservation, aligned with the department's pollinator research and conservation biology programs including CIBER (Center for Integrative Bee Research).

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ucrentomology
• YouTubeentomology.ucr.edu/engagement/social-media/youtube
• Facebookfacebook.com/ucrentomology
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucr_entomology/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/entomology-dept

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Entomology Dept