Insects are among the most diverse organisms on earth and their 
behavior is equally diverse.  Thus, insects can be used as 
model systems, easily studied and manipulated, to understand 
the general principles of behavior.  Equally, answering the 
questions of why insects do the things they do, and the 
biological significance of their behavior in the context of 
nature, will help us to understand the impact of insects on 
human activities. Major topics include: integration of behavior 
through the nervous and endocrine systems, spatial orientation, 
foraging and feeding, defensive behavior, modes of 
communication, reproductive behavior and social behavior.

1.	A conceptual framework for the study of insect behavior
    a.	Natural selection
    b.	Behavior genetics
    c.	Behavior in a phylogenetic context
2.	Integration of behavior: the nervous and hormonal 
systems
    a.	The insect nervous system 
    b.	Learning in insects
    c.	The insect endocrine system
3.	Spatial orientation
    a.	Orientation to factors such as food, mates, prey, and 
hosts
    b.	Insect thermoregulation
    c.	Insect migration 
4.	Foraging and feeding behaviors
    a.	Foraging strategies
    b.	Coevolution between herbivores and their host plants
    c.	Group feeding behavior
5.	Insect defensive behavior
    a.	Crypsis, mimicry and aposematic defenses
    b.	Attack, startle, and group behaviors
6.	Modes of communication
    a.	Chemical communication
    b.	Visual communication
    c.	Mechanocommunication
7.	Reproductive behavior
    a.	Courtship and mating
    b.	Courtship and conflict
    c.	Mating systems
    d.	Oviposition behavior
8.	Social behavior
    a.	Social organization in insects
    b.	The evolution of eusociality
    c.	Parental care in insects