For most people, their first instinct after seeing a bug is to stomp it out of sight, but for sophomore Gus Nagel, bugs serve as an opportunity to satisfy a lifelong fascination.

“Since [I was] a child, I was interested in taxonomic classification, and insects provided a very versatile example of the way this classification works,” Nagel said.

In the beginning of his pursuits, Nagel was motivated primarily to study the differences between certain species by observing them from afar in local environments. However, the further he became interested in the qualities of insects, the more he learned about them.

“Later on I discovered how complex the anatomy of insects and other invertebrates are, so I started researching them for fun, and discovered preservation, which provided me with a very interactive way to study insects,” Nagel said.

Nagel said he likes entomology, the study of bugs and insects, because it’s easy and accessible. To find the most obscure species, Nagel typically searches in untouched parts of nature, using research in migration or life-cycle patterns.

“There’s no real method to finding my rarer specimens other than looking in prime habitats and researching migration or life cycle patterns throughout the year,” he said.

Nagel said he plans to turn his current passion into a future dream profession. He says he’s confident in his ability to apply the skills he’s acquired through insect research in a future career in scientific research and development.

“Since about 6th grade, I have been hoping to continue this hobby into a future career, as there are many careers available for entomology ranging from agriculture to forensics,” Nagel said.