COURSE OUTLINE Entomology 2040 Insects, An Introduction to Entomology Fall, 2001

The following two books are on reserve in the AU Library. Suggested readings from this book are listed below in italics. You are also responsible for all material in the booklet "Basic Entomology, Technical Training Module", which will be given to you at no charge.

Peters, T. Michael. Insects and Human Society. Van Nostrand Reinhold Publishing Company, New York. 450 p.

REFERENCES
EXAMPLE SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
EXAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
EXAMPLE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
BUG-IN-A-CUP EXERCISE AND REPORT

I. Introduction To Entomology

A. Entomology, the study of insects. Why? Peters - Pages 27-53

II. Insect Diversity

III. Insect Structures - External

A. External Anatomy Structure Peters - pages 2-26, 55-57

IV. Insect Structures - Internal

A. Internal Anatomy Structure Peters - pages. 57-88

B. Life Support Systems Peters - pages 57-88

V. Insect Senses Peters - pages. 88-98

VI. Insect Behavior Peters, Ch 6

VII. Polination - Honey Bees and Others Peters - pages 195-206

VIII. Killer Bees - Brazilian Honey Bees

IX. Insects as Food and Fiber Producers Peters - pages. 206-214

X. Insects as Decomposers Peters - pages. 192-194

XI. Insects As Food Peters - pages 214-216

XII. Detrimental Effects of Insects to Plants Peters - pages. 224-244

XIII. Detrimental Effects of Insects to Animals Peters - pages 252-270

XIV. Insects as Vectors of Disease Peters - pages 281-291

XV. Pest Management

XVI. Special Topics - No References.

A. Local arthropod-borne diseases.

B. Sleeping sickness. The Tsetse fly and Trypanosomiasis.

Final grades will be determined as follows:

A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% an below.

Name________________________________ Student Number________________

Quizzes may consist of (1) terms to define, (2) fill-in-the-blank statements, (3) true-false statements, , and/or (4) discussion questions. Some examples are presented below.

Define:
         entomology
         predator
         parasitoid
         pollinator
         scavenger

Complete the following statements by filling in the blank with the appropriate word.

         Insects transmit diseases to both ___________ and animals.

         The science of genetics has benefitted greatly from using ____________
         as an experimental organism.

         C. V. Riley estimated that one female aphid could produce ________
         offspring in a single season.

         The petroleum fly lives in pools of
         ______________.

         The major reason that insects have been successful is the ability to ____________.

Indicate whether the following statements are true or false.

        T  F   A major reason for the success of insects is their small size.

        T  F   One reason that we study insects is that most species are                                   beneficial.

        T  F   Some insect groups are composed entirely of males.

        T  F   Some aphids can reproduce without ever mating.

        T  F   Most insect species are damaging.

Return to Table of Contents

INSTRUCTIONS

Exams may consist of a combination of (1) multiple choice questions (2) true-false questions similar to those from quizzes, (3) fill-in-the-blank, and/or (4) short discussion questions. There is usually only one or two discussion questions on an exam with the majority of the questions of the other types.

1. Insects are thought to be so very successful because of
   a) their small size
   b) ecological diversity
   c) ability to utilize many food sources
   d) reproductive potential
   e) all of the above

   For their size, insects are much stronger than man because

   a) their muscles are naturally stronger

   b) they can control muscle response more precisely

   c) they have giant nerve fibers

   d) of physical properties related to their small size

   e) none of the above

   Insects are considered to be beneficial because they are

   a) effective pollinators

   b) make useful products

   c) act as biological control agents

   d) are a potential protein source

   The most important vectors (transmission agents) of human disease would probably be

   a) moths

   b) ants

   c) beetles

   d) fleas

   e) cockroaches

   The most important reason for the success of insects as a group is probably

   a) parthenogenetic reproduction

   b) muscle strength to weight ratio

   c) ability to digest unusual foods

   d) ability to fly

   e) none of the above

Return to Table of Contents

Examples of Discussion Questions

1. List the different ways that insects are beneficial to humans. Give one example of an insect for each of the ways that you list.

2. What is the one characteristic that would allow you to know that a small creature you saw from 20 feet away was an insect rather than some other invertebrate.

3. Give five reasons for the success of insects as a group.

4. Insects are often portrayed in movies as "bad guys". Describe one movie that has insects as a major part of the plot.

5. Why do scientists, and others, study insects?

Return to Table of Contents

After the insects have reached the adult stage, prepare a report on the growth and development of the beet army worm. You will find helpful background information in several of the references, or at the web sites, listed at the end of the syllabus. The report should be about five typewritten pages and should be prepared in the form of a term paper you would submit to an english class. Spelling, punctuation and grammar should be correct. Attach the pages with your original observations (from this class syllabus) on the beet army worm larvae to the back of your report. The exercise is worth 100 points toward your final grade. The due date will be announced in class.

Your report should include the following sections:

Title Page: Gives the Report Title, your Name and Date.

Summary: In one paragraph you should summarize the report so that someone could read it, know the essence of the study without reading further.

Introduction: The body of the report should begin here with a brief summary of the beet army worm biology. You should include a short review of the pertinent literature on the biology, ecology and damage caused by the beet army worm. Your goal in this brief review is to give sufficient background for the reader to understand the following material.. Cite the references properly and list all references that you use in the Literature Cited section of the Report.

Materials and Methods: In this section describe what you did and how you did it.

Results: In this portion of the report you will describe the results of your observations and your interpretation of what you saw.

Literature Cited: In this final section you should list all references cited in the report. Citations should be in the correct format (see example below) and accurate.

Enebak, S.A., M. E. Ostry, G.W.Wyckoff, and B. Li. 1996. Mortality of hybrid triploid aspen in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Can. J. For. Res. 26:2304-1307.

Return to Table of Contents

Date Observations begin:_________ Location of the Cup: _____________
Approximate temperature of Location _____________

Date         Notes on development, behavior or miscellaneous observations

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Return to Table of Contents

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Return to Table of Contents

   A. ENTOMOLOGY, the study of insects. Why??
       1. Insects cause damage--
            a. Animals.
            b. Plants and possessions.
            c. Disease vectors

        2. Insects are beneficial--
            a. Pollination.
            b. Useful products.
            c. B. C. agents.
            d. As food

        3. Insects are successful--
            a. Small size.
                (1) Easy to hide.
                (2) Strong.
                (3) Need little food.

            b. Have wings.

            c. Insects can use a wide range of food.
                (1) Green plants.
                (2) Wood.
                (3) Roots.
                (4) Blood.
                (5) Dung.

            d. Insects have a high rate of reproduction.
                (1) Short life cycles.
                (2) Some all females.

        4. Employment.
            a. B.S, M.S., Ph.D., work study.

        5. Scientific study

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is parthenogenic reproduction?

2. What do you think might be the advantage of having no males in a species?

3. What would be the major disadvantage of having no males in a species?

4. What one characteristic would allow you to identify a small creature as an insect rather than some other invertebrate.

5. List the different ways that insects cause damage to humans or their possessions.

6. List the different ways that insects are beneficial to humans.

7. What do you think is the most important type of damage that insects cause?

8. What do you think is the greatest benefit that insects provide to humans?

9. List the different reasons that we study insects.

10. Give five reasons for the tremendous success of insects.

<< back