A comprehensive introduction to the principles of insect
behavior with an emphasis on the evolutionary significance of
insects as model organisms in biology. Physiology, genetics,
behavioral ecology and evolution of insect behavior will be
covered.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be required to present a 30-minute
lecture to the class reviewing a topic of their choice relating
to how physiological and/or genetic mechanisms integrate with
behavior.
The presentation will be supported by submission of the
PowerPoint (or other presentation materials) and a brief
annotated bibliography of sources used in research into the
presentation topic. The grade for this assignment will be
based on the quality of the presentation and on the research
undertaken in preparing the presentation (see attached
assessment and feedback form).
Athena Title
Insect Behavior
Prerequisite
(BIOL 1104 and BIOL 1104L) or (BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L)
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to relate cellular and molecular biology to behavioral outcomes.
Students will be able to discuss the genetic, physiological, and evolutionary causes of specific behaviors.
Students will be able to organize the causes and consequences of behaviors into the realms of Tinbergen’s 4 questions.
Students will be able to evaluate the strength of scientific conclusions.
Students will be able to formulate hypotheses relating to both proximate and ultimate causes of behavior.
Students will be able to test hypotheses by comparing specific treatments within a scientific study.
Students will be able to analyze the impact of human behavior on scientific inquiry and the importance of experimental design in minimizing potential bias.
Students will be able to work within a group to explore and dissect a scientific question.
Students will be able to plan, initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate a scientific experiment with the class group.
Students will be able to report the results of the class experiment in standard scientific format.
Topical Outline
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
8. Social behavior
a. Social organization in insects
b. The evolution of eusociality
c. Parental care in insects
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
