Quantifying ento-literacy: Development and validation of an international entomology knowledge survey for incoming college students

Understanding the level and variability of entomology knowledge among incoming university students is essential to developing effective entomology education programs but, to date, no assessment tool existed for evaluating knowledge about and attitude toward insects. This study describes the development and validation of an 81-question entomology knowledge and attitude survey designed to be administered to first-year university students in any field of study. Attitude was assessed based on four sub-categories: self-efficacy, affect, professional outlook, and hobby activity. Knowledge was tested in four areas: insect identification, ecology, entomology concepts, and techniques. Based on responses from approximately 1000 survey participants from the Czech Republic and the USA, we demonstrate that the survey has high reliability, credibility, comparability, and consistency. Overall, student attitude scored are positively correlated with knowledge levels; both variables differ in association with students’ field of study. The highest knowledge scores in both countries were from respondents in biology-related fields. Significant differences between countries suggest that entomology education, whether through formal (i.e. school curriculum) or informal (i.e. cultural) exposure, differs between these nations. This survey is now available to be translated into additional languages so that results can be compared across populations and countries. Results should be especially useful for tailoring entomology programs and courses to specific student populations based on their attitudes and prior knowledge of insects.