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Why are amateur entomologists so crucial to biodiversity and biological recording?

Amateur entomologists often have the opportunity to build up unparalleled knowledge of particular insect orders and their biology. Many amateurs - such as the late Dame Miriam Rothschild - become highly accomplished entomologists.
Amateurs have the interest and motivation to perform careful and diligent biological recording of the insect orders they are interested in. They have the skills and dedication to ensure the validity and accuracy of their observations.
Most biological records in the UK already stem from the amateur community, sometimes via learned societies of which they are members.
Amateur entomologists are also in a position to gather long term data, unlike data gathered in short term ad hoc studies published by professional researchers. Only by means of long term, ongoing recording of species will we really be able to tell what is happening to the wild natural life of our planet.