CLASS MEETINGS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
GRADING: Two preliminary exams and one final exam - 60%. Collection - 25%. Labwork and practical - 15%
TEXT: Triplehorn and Johnson (T&J) Borror and Delong's Introduction to the Study of Insects,
7th edition. You can also use earlier versions (5th or 6th)
Kaufman, Field Guide to Insects of North America
Entomology
resources on the worldwide web
Classic popular books on insects
Insect Orders, a web page of useful information and links
Note: Fridays will be devoted to quizzes, discussion of reading assignments and extra field trips. They are not listed in the schedule, but you are expected to attend every class. For the first two months, come dressed for the weather outdoors.
| SEPT. 8 | Introduction: Observation and notetaking. | Safety in the Lab and Field Collecting materials and techniques. Read: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| 10 | Overview of insects | Read:, T&J, Chap. 1 |
| 9 LAB | FIELD COLLECTING Blacklight trip to Parker Preserve 5-8 pm Dinner | COME DRESSED FOR OUTDOORS Read: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| 13 | External anatomy of insects | Read: T&J Chap. 2, pp. 5, 7-23 |
| 15 | The insect integument, molting. | Read: Chap. 2, pp. 6-7, 44-45 |
| 16 LAB | FIELD COLLECTING | COME DRESSED FOR OUTDOORS Read: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| 17 | Insect life cycles | Read Chap. 4, 39-49 |
| 20 | Unusual types of development and life cycles | Read: Chap. 2, pp 49-50 |
| 22 | Sexual selection in insects | Read Chap. 4, pp 70-74 |
| 23 LAB | FIELD COLLECTING on Campus. Work on collections - pinning, spreading | COME DRESSED FOR OUTDOORS Review: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| 24 | The muscular system, locomotion & flight & | Read: Chap. 2, 12-14, 23 & Chap. 3, p 30 |
| 27 | Thermoregulation, seasonal cycles and migration | |
| 29 | Herbivores: insects and plants | Read: Chap. 4 pp 83-86 |
| 30 LAB | FIELD COLLECTING on Campus | Read: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| Oct. 1 | Insect predators Spiders | Read: Chap.4, pp 88-92; chap. 5 pp 110-111 |
| 4 | Insect defense | Read: Chap.4, pp 88-92 Last topic for EXAM I |
| 6 | Insect parasites and parasitoids | Read: chap. 4, 87-88 Film: Insect Parasitism |
| 7 LAB | Field collecting - aquatics Blacklight trip to Parker Preserve 5-8 pm Dinner | |
| 8 | Open | |
| 11 | EXAM I Sample exam | You may bring copies of all article handouts; no textbook; no notes from the web site |
| 13 | Insects in the detritus food web | Read: Chap. 4 pp 92-93 |
| 14 LAB: | Pinning, spreading, labeling | Read: T&J, Chap. 35 |
| 15 | Insect Societies I | Read: Chap. 4 pp 74-81 |
| 18 | Open | |
| 20 | Insect societies II Ants. | Read: chap 4, 74-81. Film: Army Ants available in Library media center |
| 21 LAB: | Fieldwork | |
| 22 | Open | |
| 25 | Aquatic insects. | Read: article by Cummins & Klug emailed to you |
| 27 | Open | |
| 27 2:30-11:00 | American Entomological Society meeting | sign up with Jamie |
| 28 LAB: | Insect Orders. | Read: Chap. 3, 5 & 6 [NOTE: read only the introductory sections of 5, 6 and subsequent chapters, to become familiar with the groups and the terms used in the keys] |
| 29 | Insect population ecology | Read: chap. 4, 93-97 |
| Nov. 1 | Insect digestive systems | Read: Chap. 2 pp 19-26; article on puddling and sodium, article on symbiotes in sharpshooters emailed to you |
| 4 LAB: | Hemimetabolous orders. | Read Chaps. 8-25 [NOTE: read only the introductory sections to become familiar with the groups and the terms used in the keys] |
| Nov. 5 | Circulation, excretion, and respiration | Read: Chap. 2 pp 26-30 |
| 8 | The nervous system and senses | Read: Chap. 2 pp 30-34 Last topic for EXAM II |
| 10 | Behavior, orientation and learning | Read: Chap 4. 62-70 |
| 11 Lab | Holometabolous orders. | Read Chaps. 26-30 [NOTE: read only the introductory sections to become familiar with the groups and the terms used in the keys] |
| 12 | EXAM II Sample exam | You may bring copies of all article handouts; no textbook; no notes from the web site |
| 15 | Hormones, development and reproduction | Read: Chap. 2 pp 35-40 |
| 17 | Evolution of the Insecta | |
| 17 2:30-11:00pm | American Entomological Society meeting | sign up with Jamie |
| 18 LAB: | Holometabolous III & other Arthropods | Read Chap. 5 and 31-34 |
| 19 | Insect biodiversity and conservation | |
| 22 | Insect biodiversity and conservation | |
| 24 | Internal anatomy, Behavior experiment | |
| 29 | Applied Entomology | |
| Dec 1 | Applied Entomology | |
| Dec 2 LAB: | Collection work | |
| 3 | Open | |
| 6 | Applied Entomology | |
| 8 | Review, collection help | |
| 9 LAB: | Collection work and wrap up. OPTIONAL | |
| 10 Friday! | NOTE: STARTS AT 8:30! Lab practical Final Exam | Practical 8:30-9:20 Final 9:30-11 |
| 13 | No class I will be in lab to help finish collections 9-1 | Collections due by 1pm Monday, December 13 |
1. Dress for the weather
a. Wear layers of clothing so you can add or remove as the day warms up
or cools off
b. Wear a hat - your head is a major site of heat loss and gain
c. Dress to stay dry - waterproof jacket and waterproof footwear
2. Protect yourself from ticks and chiggers
a. Wear a one-piece, zippered coverall tucked into tightly woven socks
b. Treat your coveralls and socks with DEET or Permanone - before putting them on; never spray permanone on yourself
c. Check yourself thoroughly when you return from the field
d. Remove all ticks promptly
e. Know the symptoms of Lyme disease and RMS; see a doctor right away if you develop a rash or fever after a tick bite
f. For relief from itching, use an over-the-counter cortisone cream or topical Benadryl. Baking soda baths or calamine lotion help a little. Don't use nail polish.
3. Stay with the class or with your group at all times.
4. Be careful when walking on soft ground, over rough ground, or in thick shrubs, vines, etc. Remember branches can snap back and cause injuries to the person behind you.
5. No horseplay; no alcohol or drugs; no smoking
1. NO FOOD OR DRINK OR ANY OPEN CONTAINERS OF FOOD OR DRINK IN THE LABS (AS-210, AS-211)
2. Know location of eyewash and shower
3. Know location of exits
4. Do not place bookbags and coats on tables while labwork is in progress
5. No horseplay
6. REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES AND ANY DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
1. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ITEMS YOU SIGN OUT
2. Be sure all equipment is clean and dry before returning it
3. Do not wash mud, leaves, etc. into sinks; clean it off outside or into waste cans
4. Handle microscopes carefully, with two hands
5. Be sure all samples are fully and correctly labelled before you leave them
6. Do not use unfamiliar equipment until you have received proper instruction; messing up some of these items can cost you $$$$$$
7. SUPPLIES: Extra pins, vials, label paper, Schmitt boxes, etc. are available in AS-211. See me before or after class.
8. OTHER COLLECTING EQUIPMENT: Traps, blacklights, etc. are available for signout from me.