Pavel Iustinovich Marikovsky ( rus, Павел Иустинович Мариковский; July 28, 1912 – November 10, 2008) was a Russian

entomologist Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...

arachnologist Arachnology is the scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and harvestmen. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly, the study of s ...

, and popular science author known for his research in ants and the insect fauna of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, as well as over 60 popular science books, which made him one of the most popular science promoters of the former Soviet Union. His 1954 monograph ''Tarantula and Karakurt'' (') is still used by zoologists, and his most popular general science books include ''For the Young Entomologist'', ''In Talas Alatau'' and ''Across the Semirechye''. He served in the

Great Patriotic War The Eastern Front of World War II was a Theater (warfare), theatre of conflict between the European Axis powers against the Soviet Union (USSR), Polish Armed Forces in the East, Poland and other Allies of World War II, Allies, which encom ...

(the Eastern Front of World War II), earning several honors including

Order of the Red Star The Order of the Red Star (russian: Орден Красной Звезды, Orden Krasnoy Zvezdy) was a military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 April 193 ...

Order of the Patriotic War The Order of the Patriotic War (russian: Орден Отечественной войны, Orden Otechestvennoy voiny) is a Soviet military decoration that was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisa ...

, and

Order of the Badge of Honour The Order of the Badge of Honour (russian: орден «Знак Почёта», orden "Znak Pochyota") was a civilian award of the Soviet Union. It was established on 25 November 1935, and was conferred on citizens of the USSR for outstanding ...

References

1912 births 2008 deaths Soviet arachnologists Russian science writers Myrmecologists Soviet entomologists Soviet military personnel of World War II {{entomologist-stub