ENTOMOLOGY 2040
APPENDIX

VIDEO - EYEWITNESS INSECT

Preying Mantid, shadow and insect

Insects dominate the earth- Most successful animals ever to exist

Why can't insects grow large?

Adaptation of insects to humans

Importance of pollination, co-evolution

Damaging insects - 10-15 % of food destroyed

Importance of wings to insects

Deathwatch beetle, Death head Moth, association of insects with death

Dragonfly mating and egg laying process

Breathing adaptations of aquatic insects

Compound eyes of dragonflies, importance of vision to flight

Variation in human color vision and that of insects

Rapid flight and wing beats of flies

Ability of flies (and insects in general) to detect motion

Sound production and amplification of mole crickets and tree crickets

Pheromones and chemical perception by moths

Note large, feathery antennae on male moths used for odor detection

Leaf cutting (parasol) ants

Insect defense

Camouflage of beetles, moths, and walking sticks

Clothing (Red Coats) and food dyes come from cochineal insects

Warning colors- red and black insects, yellow and black insects

Honey bees - health, food, black magic

Mouthpart types

Disease Transmission

Horror movies

Nest builders

Insecticides - Resistance and insect adaptation

Return to Appendix Table of Contents

VIDEO ON INSECT REPRODUCTION

Why don't adult mayflies eat?

How long do adult mayflies live?

What is the biggest problem mayflies face?

What is the one purpose of a mayflies' life?

How much maternal care do most insects give their young?

How many eggs do most female insects lay?

Why do insects lay so many eggs?

What is the size of most insect eggs?

Note the sculpted pattern on magnified insect eggs.

What would be the size of a ball of maggots produced by one pair of flies if there were no mortality?

What keeps insects from overwhelming the earth?

Return to Appendix Table of Contents

VIDEO ON INSECT SENSES

What is a pheromone?

How far can pheromones be detected?

What organ do insects use to perceive pheromones?

How many molecules of a pheromone are necessary for detection?

Note that pheromones are effective at long distances but not up close?

How do polka dot moths solve problem of short distance mate location?

Why can't humans hear the polka dot moth's mating signal?

What is one major problem of using sound to locate a mate?

How do some leafhoppers transmit sound, and hear?

What is the worlds' loudest insect? How loud is that?

How do cicada's make sound?

What senses do Jewel beetles use in mate identification?

What characteristics are especially attractive to male Jewel beetles?

Note Males trying to mate with the beer bottle (and extended aedaegus)

How was the problem of jewel beetles "mating" with beer bottles solved?

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PHEROMONE VIDEO

(FROM LECTURE BY DR. WENDELL ROELOFS, CORNELL UNIVERSITY)

Pheromone - a chemical produced by one individual that affects the behavior of another individual of the same species.

Testing of Pheromones (Dr. Charles Lin).

   • Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM).

   • Note OFM pheromone is composed of 3 major component chemicals placed on rubber septum.

   • Note Male moth respond in flight tunnel.

Pheromones used in pest management in at least four ways.

   • Detection and monitoring, trap outs and protection, as attracticides, and as confusants.

Oriental Beetle demonstrates use as population detection and monitoring.

   • Note damage to golf course caused by presence of Beetles.

   • What causes the "real" damage?

   • Note white beetle grub which is immature stage of the beetle.

   • How was pheromone collected?

   • Note action of the beetle's finger-like antennae.

   • Note in field test on golf course no beetles, or damage, had been observed.

   • Why did the scientists not count the number of beetles collected?

Bark beetle test in Germany demonstrates use as trap outs and tree protection.

   • Note uniform of German forestry official.

   • How do traps protect the trees?

Cotton Insect Control test demonstrates use as Attracticides (combined with insecticide).

   • Pink boll worm (pinkies) serious cotton pest in California and Texas (not Alabama).

   • Note presence of Predatory bug and parasitic wasp.

   • Why does Cotton Grower prefer not to use hard insecticides?

Grape Berry Moth - Whine region in Germany - Demonstrates use of pheromones as confusants.

   • Note berry moth larvae climbing up silk strands.

   • Why is second moth generation most damaging?

   • How do pheromone confusants control insects?

Return to Appendix Table of Contents

VIDEO - GYPSY MOTH

Note - Origin of Gypsy Moth.

What biological agent is used for control?

Note how biological agent is produced.

What sense does the male use to locate the female?

Note - Females of "our" Gypsy moth do not fly.

Note - How humans help spread Gypsy moths.

Return to Appendix Table of Contents

VIDEO ON LEAFCUTTER BEES, BUMBLE BEES AND HONEY BEES
(BIRTH OF THE BEES (PART) 33 MINUTES - START AT 22 MIN.

Note how leafcutter bees cut round holes in leaves of roses, and other plants.

What use does the leafcutter bee make of the leaf circles she collects?

Where did Leafcutter bees originate?

What is the most important pollinator of alfalfa in the U.S.?

How do bumble bees overwinter?

Why do bumble bee queens use the holes of other animals for their nests?

What material does the bumble bee queen use to build her brood cells?

Why don't the bumble bee daughter lay their own eggs?

How do bumble bees maintain the nest temperature?

Why don't bumble bee colonies survive the winter?

Note that wasps cannot make wax and that their paper cells are hexagonal.

What is the hornets most important enemy? Why do they rarely sting people?

Note how hornet grubs ask for food.

Why are honey bees more successful than other social Hymenoptera?

How many types of chemical messages do honey bees have?

Note the bee dances and the chemical communication through antennae and food exchange.

What is Queen substance?

Note the swarming bees, and that they are reluctant to sting when swarming.

Note beekeeper shake bee swarm from limb and bees going into new hive.

Return to Appendix Table of Contents

VIDEO ON INSECT PRODUCTS
(SECTION FROM THE ALIEN EMPIRE: COCHNEAL MATERIAL FROM EYEWITNESS INSECTS)

Some Insects produce Income for owners.

        • Note Gambling on Insect "wrestlers" in Thailand.

        • Why do they fight?

        • Why do you think the men are tapping on the log?

        • How is the winner of the match determined.

Some Insects Produce Useful Materials.

        • Note: Silkworms - big business in several countries.

        • Why do you think silkworms are not raised in the U.S.?

        • What do silkworms eat?

        • Note that silkworms are totally dependent on humans.

        • How long has the silkworm-human partnership lasted?

        • Why do you think there are no "wild" silkworms living in nature?

        • Why do insects produce the silk (What do they use it for)?

        • How many strands of silk are in one pupal cocoon?

        • How long is a strand of silk?

        • How are pupal cases unwound?

Insect Products: Cochneal dye.

        • Comes from a scale insect (Homoptera) not beetles as stated in video.

        • Note: Red dye used for clothing (by British for uniforms).

        • Note: Used as a food dye for Jello, Candy, Cakes.

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VIDEO ON POLLINATION

(THE INSECT CONNECTION, 14 MINUTES)

Time lapse photography - sexual parts of the flowers.

Pollinators other than insects.

Early wind pollinated plants.

Note that many of the pollinators in the video are flies.

Nectar Guides (UV and others).

Tripping mechanism (Triggered).

Heat tracking flowers warm pollinators.

Australian flower that resembles the female wasp.

Other flowers that mimic females - waste sperm.

Note other flowers that mimic females and the "mating" of males with them.

Lilies that smell like rotting meat - and attract blow flies.

Hover flies and the African water lily.

Orchids - special was used by males to make sex attractant.

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VIDEO - LIVING WITH KILLER BEES

Definitions: Africanized Bees = "Killer Bees" and European Bees = "Domestic Bees".

Africanized bee specialist, Dr. Orley (Chip) Taylor - U. Kansas.

Africanized Bees and Hybrids.

                • Very Aggressive and Very Persistent.

                • Note bees on Camera and Strap.

                • Note differences in venom of two types of bees.

THE SWARM MOVIE

How many stings = one Rattlesnake bite?

What is Entomophobia?

Are attacks usually fatal?

When did Africanized Bees get to Texas?

How do colonies reproduce?

What is the rate of Spread (miles/year)?

Why are Bee Swarms not more aggressive?

Which Bee is the "gambler" in its approach to life?

Note Mexico's approach to dealing with the Africanized. Bee?

What are the good features of the Africanized Bee?

Why are Africanized Bees attracted to Texas cities and suburbs? Would that be true in Alabama?

What is main product of the Weaver Apiaries?

How are Africanized. Bees controlled in "The Savage Bee"?

What will limit the movement north of the Africanized Bee? How far North will it go?

What is the best defense if you are attacked by Africanized Bees?

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VIDEO - NAKED JUNGLE

According to the movie, when did this incident occur?

Do you think the jungle would be bare (brown) where the army ants occur?

How far away would you estimate the ant colony was when it was discovered?

What do you think about the view through the telescope?

What do you think about the statement "they will be here in a week"?

What about the statement "they are organized, they think"?

Do you think that ants would cross the moat on leaves?

Do you think the ants could kill a healthy human?

Note the winged ants on the march. What stage of the life cycle is this?

Note the ants destroying the vegetation. What does that tell you about the ants in the video?

Do you think the fire would kill the army ant colony?

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VIDEO - ARMY ANTS

(FROM 1000 MILLION ANTS - 1^st, 15 MINUTES)

Ant Overview

   • When an ant nest is disturbed, what is the first thing they try to save?

   • How many ants did the video narrator suggest are currently present on earth?

Army Ants

   • How many army ants might be found in a normal colony

   • What type of nest do army ants have?

   • What type of mouthparts do army ant soldiers possess?

   • How do army ants cross barriers in their trail?

   • How is the size of worker ants determined?

   • What is the status of king in an army ant colony? The queen?

   • How do army ants mark their trails?

   • Note that army ants are strictly carnivores?

   • How do army ants find their prey? Note that army ants kill by stinging

   • Do army ants feed on mammals or other large animals?

   • Army ant colonies move daily for about 2.5 weeks then stay in one spot for a time.

     What determines when they stop their daily treks?

Orange Army Ants

   • What do orange army ants use as a food source?

   • Why are these ants sometimes called "living barbed wire"?

   • What happens when an army ant has its legs stretched?

   • What medicinal use have native Africians made of army ant soldiers?

   • What is the maximum size of an army ant colony? Why?

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VIDEO - LEAF CUTTER ANTS

(FROM 1000 MILLION ANTS)

Where do leaf cutter ants build their nest?

What is the physical size of a mature leaf cutter ant nest?

How many ants would inhabit such a nest?

What is the size range of the worker ants?

When do leaf cutter ants do their work or damage?

Why do you think these ants are sometimes called parasol ants?

Note the ants cutting out the leaf sections and the action of the chewing mouthparts

How does the weight of the leaf sections compare to the weight of the ant?

Note that the ants damage trees in two ways.

Note that these ants may be major agricultural pests.

Note flotilla of tiny yachts.

What role do the passenger workers play in the life of the colony?

What do the receiver ants (in the underground nest) do with the leaf sections?

Note that this special fungus is found no where else but in the colonies of leaf cutter ants.

How do the ants protect their fungus from bacteria and other diseases?

Note ant larvae and care by workers.

What is the size of the leaf cutter ant queen?

Note the close symbiotic association between the ants and their fungus. Neither can survive without the other.

How do you think such ants might be controlled when they become an agricultural pest?

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VIDEO - INSECTS AS FOOD

(CLIP FROM LONESOME DOVE VIDEO

Why are the old cowboys in San Antonio?

What is their initial reaction to the food offered by the old cook?

What kind of insect is it that has been cooked? What did it taste like?

What was their final reaction to the food?

(CLIP FROM ALIEN EMPIRE VIDEO)

In what country are the Mopani worms (large spotted caterpillars) eaten?

What percent of protein do insect provide in some diets?

Note large numbers of bamboo worms in one stalk.

Why are the Giant Water Bugs tied up?

How are hornet larvae prepared for eating?

Note deep-fried water bugs.

Note use of Wok for cooking larvae

Note Deep fried Giant Water bugs on Salad

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VIDEO - IPM AND APHIDS

What is insecticide resistance? What is IPM?

Note: Some levels of pests can be tolerated.

Note: Boll Weevil Eradication Program.

What % of insecticides in U.S. used on cotton?

Note green and/or blue boll weevil traps.

Note bait in boll weevil traps. What is a pheromone?

Note comment on trap crops?

Note screwworm fly problem and sterile male technique?

How are corn root worms managed?

Note comment on Dimilin, and insect growth regulator.

Note Rangeland grasshopper problem.

Note natural enemies of cotton pests?

Note other approaches to insect control used.

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VIDEO ON BURYING BEETLES WOOD COCKROACHES AND TERMITES

(SECTION FROM THE ALIEN EMPIRE - ABOUT 9 MUNUTES)

What is the basis of the "Great Insect Societies?

Burying Beetles

   • Note North American Burying Beetles are Model Parents.

   • What is the flying female looking for? Where do Burying beetles meet mates?

   • Note that the female feeds the young. What does she feed them?

   • How do these beetles communicate? How long does it take the larvae to mature?

Wood Cockroaches

   • Note these cockroaches need microbes to digest wood. Where do they get them?

     Why is molting a problem for these cockroaches? Why do they stay with parents?

Termites

   • Note: Tower is built by one family of termites.

   • How high would a comparable human skyscraper be?

   • Note size of termite queen. How many eggs can she lay in one day?

   • How long does the termite queen live?

   • Note that she is completely dependent on the workers, and the relative size of the male.

   • Why can't the workers breed and reproduce?

   • How do termites air-condition their mound?

   • How many species of termites are known? What do they eat (as a group)?

   • Note some Australian termites can determine compass directions.

   • How much wood can one colony of termites eat in one year?

   • Note: Termites cause I billion dollars in damage each year, more than all other natural disasters.

   • Note sealing of house for fumigation

   • Note statement "war is unwinnable"

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INTERNET PROJECT
ENTOMOLOGY 2040: INSECTS

Objective:	Gain some familiarity with the Internet and how to search for information.
Basic Info:	Internet: complex communication network between computers throughout the world. URL: Universal resource locator: Address of site on Internet. WWW: World Wide Web: A part of the Internet that has text (words), Graphics (pictures and videos) and sound capabilities. Browser: Computer program that "navigates" through the WWW. Major programs include Netscape and Microsoft Explorer. Search Engine: A computer program that searches the Internet for "key words". These engines locate web sites. Home Page: Generally the first or introductory screen that you get when you go to a site. What you need for this project: Computer hooked to the Internet. Using one of the browsers, find a search engine(net search button on most browsers) and search for insect related sites. Sites can not be Biology or Entomology Departments or Cooperative Extension units. Choose an interesting site, investigate it, and if you think it's interesting record the URL and give me a ONE sentence description of the site. That's it!!!! If you'd like, e-mail your URL and ONE sentence. Save trees! E-mail to: wbrewer@acesag.auburn.edu I'll send you a confirmation by e-mail within a day or two.
Possible "keywords":	bug, insect, cockroach, flea, termite, compound eye, wings, ecology, arthropod, tree of life, fly, beetle, wasp, hornet, ant, ladybug, fire ant, genetics, honey bee, parasites, predators, species, spiracles, hemolymph, silverfish.

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