Entomology (ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

ZOOL 3430/3435--01 Fall 2024

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Diagram the reproduction systems, embryonic development and life histories of insects.

2. Explain the ecological importance of insects, particularly their relationships to plants
and other animals (including humans).

3. Apply the principles of phylogenetics and systematics to entomological diversity.

4. Construct evolutionary trees using morphological and molecular data.

5. Interpret evolutionary trees derived from morphological and molecular data.

6. Classify the major groups of insects based on images and specimens.

6. Describe the anatomy and physiology of insects.

7. Create a quality insect collection of correctly curated and identified specimens.

Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week Dates Title Topic Chapters
1 Aug. 21

Aug. 23		 It's Entomology, not Etymology

Lab: Hand out collection kits, how to collect and curate		 Syllabus, Course Intro

Section 3: pp 279-302
2 Aug. 26

Aug. 28

Aug. 30		 I think...

No... a spider is not an insect...
but it's not that far off

Lab: Local Field Trip		 Systematics and Tree Thinking

Evolution of Insects from other arthropods


 Section 1: pp 1-8
3 Sep. 2

Sep. 4

Sep. 5		 NO CLASS--LABOR DAY

The anatomy of "outside bones"

Lab: Internal Anatomy, Practicing pinning and spreading
Insect body plans, external anatomy
Section 1: pp 8-34
4 Sep. 9

Sep. 11

Sep. 13		 continued external anatomy

Internal Anatomy

Lab: Overnight/Weekend Collecting Trip		 continued external

Digestion, circulation, nervous system

 Section 1: pp 8-34
5 Sep. 16

Sep. 18

Sep. 20		 3M: Mating, Metamorphosis, Molting

Where do these terms keep coming from?!?

Lab: Afternoon and evening collecting trip		 Mating, Metamorphosis, Molting

Insect Ecology: Habitats and Impact


 Section 1: pp 8-34
6 Sep. 23

Sep. 25

Sep. 27		 All these little guys, where are they hiding?<>

The good die young: Mayflies and the evolution of wings

Lab: Basal Hexapods		 Basal Hexapods and soil dwellers

Ephemeroptera



 Section 2: pp 37-43, 60-68

Section 2: 45-51
7 Sep. 30


Oct. 2


Oct. 4		 House of the Dragon(flies):
they don't spit fire, but...

Do you want to blend in or not....:
camouflage, behavioral plasticity, and acoustic communication

Lab: Polyneoptera
 Odonata


Polyneoptera


 Section 2: pp 51-59


Section 2: 73-118
8 Oct. 7

Oct. 9

Oct. 11		 Did you know termites are cockroaches?

What's biting trees, books, and other animals

Lab: Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Psocodea		 Polyneoptera

Psocodea

 Section 2: pp 73-118

Section 2: pp 123-134
9 Oct. 14

Oct. 16

Oct. 18		 Sucking and screaming: the real "bugs"

Wait, we can get viruses from something other than mosquitos?

FALL BREAK--NO CLASS		 Hemiptera
 Section 2: pp 134-155
10 Oct. 21

Oct. 23

Oct. 25		 An inordinate fondness for beetles

Acid, flashing lights, and chemical warfare

Lab: Coleoptera and Neuropterida		 Coleoptera


 Section 2: pp 172-189
11 Oct. 28

Oct. 30

Nov. 1		 Are these aliens? Plus, some ambush predators

Did you know that wasn't a mosquito in the Jurassic World move?

Lab: Hymenoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera		 Strepsiptera and Neuropterida

Diptera



 Section 2: pp 156-171, 189-196

Section 2: pp 196-227
12 Nov. 4

Nov. 6

Nov. 8		 Something's gotta eat that:
flies and decomposition ecology

Waterworld, minus Kevin Costner

Lab:Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Diptera		 Diptera, Mecoptera, Siphonaptera

Plecoptera and Trichoptera


 Section 2: 196-227


Section 2: pp 69-73, 228-235
13 Nov. 11

Nov. 13

Nov. 15		 Insect Plant Interactions

Lepidopterans

Lab: Work on collections and practice IDs		 Insect Plant Interactions

Lepidoptera
Section 2: 235-255
14 Nov. 18

Nov. 20

Nov. 22		 This is how we get ants...

To Bee or not to Bee

Lab: Work on Collections and Practice IDs		 Hymenoptera Section 2: pp 255-277
- Nov. 25

Nov. 27

Nov. 29		 THANKSGIVING BREAK--NO CLASS
15 Dec. 2

Dec. 4

Dec. 6		 Do you want to build a... Phylogeny?

Come on let's go and play

Lab: Collections Due and Lab Practical		 Phylogeny Reconstruction


Questions/Comments