Cost

How much does entomology cost?

$96 buys all 6 essentials.

6 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission

Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick

$96

6 items, nothing rented

Against 247 hobbies

Below median

Cheaper than 63% of them. Median hobby: $84.

What each thing costs

Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.

Insect Collection Net essential

mid $35top $65

$22

Specimen Box essential

mid $38top $75

$18

Forceps essential

mid $24top $48

$15

Killing Jar essential

mid $18top $32

$14

Field Guide essential

mid $599top $16

$14

Insect Pins essential

mid $17top $28

$13

All 6 essentials

$96

What you need

$96

Everything you need to start entomology. None of it is a big commitment.

Insect Collection Net

Insect Collection Net

$22

A versatile net is crucial for safely capturing flying insects and those in vegetation without damaging them.

BioQuip Standard Aerial Insect Net

mid $35top $65

Killing Jar

Killing Jar

$14

A properly prepared killing jar is essential for humanely euthanizing specimens, preserving them in good condition for study or display.

LIMNUO Glass Killing Jar with Plaster Base

mid $18top $32

Field Guide

$14

A comprehensive field guide is indispensable for accurately identifying the insects you encounter in your local area.

Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America

mid $599top $16

Forceps

$15

Fine-tipped forceps are indispensable for handling delicate specimens, moving them to pinning blocks, and manipulating small parts without causing damage.

SE Ultimate 6-Piece Hemostat Set

mid $24top $48

Specimen Box

Specimen Box

$18

Secure specimen boxes are vital for transporting collected insects and protecting them from damage and pests during storage.

BTSKY Clear Lid Insect Specimen Box

mid $38top $75

Insect Pins

$13

Specialized stainless steel pins are designed to hold specimens securely without corroding or damaging them.

GLOBLELAND 300 PCS Insect Specimen Pins: Stainless Steel

mid $17top $28

Later, if you stay

Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.

Pinned Specimen Block

Pinned Specimen Block

$12

A pinning block provides a stable surface and guide for setting insect specimens, ensuring straight and aesthetically pleasing mounts.

Generic Foam Spreading Board for Insects 6x9 inch

mid $22top $55

Magnifying Glass

$10

A hand lens or magnifying glass is essential for close examination of insect morphology, identifying smaller details, and observing live specimens.

Carson Illuminated LED Lighted 4x Hand Held 3.0'' Aspheric Magnifier

mid $20top $58

Microscope

$222

AmScope SE306R-PZ Fixed-Power Stereo Microscope

mid $532top $812

Startup cost · all 247 hobbieslog scale
$1
$84
$1245
$69

Entomology costs more to start than 37% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.

Cost questions

How much does Entomology cost to start?

About $96 for the 6 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each.

What does each thing cost for Entomology?

Insect Collection Net: from $22. Specimen Box: from $18. Forceps: from $15. Killing Jar: from $14. Field Guide: from $14. Insect Pins: from $13.

Is Entomology an expensive hobby?

Entomology costs about $69 to start, dearer than 37% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the cheaper ones to get into.

What should I buy first for Entomology?

insect collection net, killing jar, field guide, forceps, specimen box, insect pins — $96 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.

Hobbies that cost about the same

The 6 nearest to entomology by startup cost, out of 247.

Choir Singing$4 less$65Graffiti Art$2 less$67Terrarium Making$2 less$67
Entomologyyou are here$69
Ukuleleabout the same$69Automata$1 more$70Board Game Design$1 more$70
Start entomologyEntomology beginner guide