Course ID: | ENTO 4850/6850-4850L/6850L. 4 hours. 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week. |
Course Title: | Tropical Entomology |
Course Description: | A field course introducing insect diversity, classification,
biology, and behavior in a tropical setting, including insect
survey and collecting methods, observation and mini research
projects, scientific writing, and discussion of tropical insect
literature. Aspects of agricultural entomology with tropical
crops and medically important insects are also covered. |
Oasis Title: | Tropical Entomology |
Nontraditional Format: | Study abroad course to be taught in the tropics. |
Prerequisite: | BIOL 1108 |
Semester Course Offered: | Offered summer semester every year. |
Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
|
Course Objectives: | Students will:
1. Appreciate and understand factors contributing to insect
biodiversity in tropical environments.
2. Gain practical experience with insect survey methods.
3. Develop basic taxonomic knowledge essential to appreciating
the diversity and biology of insects.
4. Learn skills for proper insect curation for scientific study.
5. Undertake insect natural history observation and
documentation.
6. Formulate research hypotheses, collect field data, apply
basic statistical methods relevant to interpretation, and present
results orally and in writing.
7. Interpret, analyze, and discuss scientific literature on
tropical insect biology.
8. Understand principles of insect pest management as applied to
agricultural and medical entomology issues in the tropics. |
Topical Outline: | 1. Insect biodiversity in tropical environments.
a. Introduction – why study insects (and tropical insects in
particular)?
b. The tropical realm – it’s more than rainforest jungles
c. Biodiversity – tropical and temperate comparisons and
causes
2. Insect survey, sampling, and collection methods
3. Insect classification and systematics
a. Insect anatomy and physiology
b. Overview of arthropod systematics and insect
classification (orders and families)
4. Tropical insect biology and behavior
a. Feeding habits - herbivory, pollination, parasitism,
predation
b. Sociality – ants, bees, wasps, termites
c. Defense – mimicry, weaponry
d. Communication – chemical, auditory, visual, tactile
5. Insect pest management in tropical systems
a. Medically important insects – insect-vertebrate
interactions
b. IPM in agriculture systems
6. Research methodology overview and hands-on experience
a. Developing a research question and testable hypotheses
b. Controlling variables and evaluating relevant literature
c. Conducting a research project - collecting and analyzing
data and writing a research report
d. Preparing dynamic oral presentations of research results |