Syllabus: Entomology 116
Insect Identification
Fall 2003
Location: Plant Industry 204
Time: 2:00 - 3:50 Tuesday
4:00 - 5:50 Tuesday
2:00 - 3:50 Thursday
4:00 - 5:50 Thursday
Laboratory Instructor: Tim Huntington (Tuesday 2:00 - 3:50pm)
Office: 203 or 208 Plant Industry, East Campus
Phone: 472-8698, 472-8692
E-mail addresses: timh@unlserve.unl.edu
Laboratory Instructor: Wyatt Anderson (Tuesday 4:00 - 5:50pm)
Office: 203 Plant Industry, East Campus
Phone: 472-8683
E-mail addresses:wanderso@unlserve.unl.edu,
Laboratory Instructor: Andrea Gutsche (Thursday 2:00 - 3:50pm)
Office: 203 Plant Industry, East Campus
Phone: 472-2123
E-mail addresses:agutsche01@hotmail.com,
Laboratory Instructor: Bill Algeier (Thursday 4:00 - 5:50pm)
Office: 203 or 208 Plant Industry, East Campus
Phone: 472-8698, 472-8692
E-mail addresses:lupus017@hotmail.com,
Laboratory Instructor: Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss
Office: 201B Plant Industry, East Campus
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 - 10:00 (or by appointment)
Phone: 472-8708
E-mail: tiffany@unlserve.unl.edu
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
Course Website: http://entomology.unl.edu/ent115/labs/
Blackboard: http://blackboard.unl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This laboratory will expose students to insect diversity; in the process students will learn to distinguish the major insect orders and identify important insects by common name. Insect identification will be taught based on two methods, sight recognition and by use of taxonomic keys.
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
- Insects are everywhere and impact our lives in numerous ways.
- To learn to appreciate the morphological diversity among insects.
- To recognize major insect groups and characterize them by their structure, metamorphosis, and habits.
- Insects are just plain fun to learn about and work with.
REQUIRED TEXT
A Field Guide to the Insects of North America North of Mexico. Peterson Field GuideSeries, by Borror and White. This is a super field guide that will be helpful for identifying insects collected in Nebraska.
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS
Quizzes
Quizzes will be taken at the beginning of each scheduled laboratory. The objectives of these quizzes are to encourage attendance and to ensure students are able to identify insect orders. There will be 6 quizzes during the semester (see the schedule for dates).
Lab Practicals
Two lab practicals will be given throughout the semester (see the schedule for dates). The purpose of the lab practicals is to test the student’s knowledge on material covered throughout the semester. The practicals will include insect identification, knowledge of important characters, and general structures.
No make up quizzes or lab practicals without prior approval or a written confirmation of a medical problem or family emergency!!!
Insect Collection:
Each student must prepare an insect collection. The objectives of this assignment are to familiarize students with the major insect orders and to teach students how to properly preserve their insects once collected.
The minimum collection requirements are:
- Total of 50 different insect species:
- Must have at least 7 different Insect Orders represented
- 10 specimens identified to Family
- Specimens must be properly identified; misidentified specimens will not be given credit.
- Each specimen must be in good condition and properly mounted and labeled correctly to receive full credit.
- The collection must be neatly organized by taxonomic order.
EVALUATION
| Quizzes and Attendance | 70 points |
| Midterm Lab Practical | 100 points |
| Final Lab Practical | 100 points |
| Insect Collection | 100 points |
| Total | 370 points |
