week 8 The Insect Life Cycle

This week continue collecting and spreading insects for your collection. As weather permits, we have a little time each day to go out into the field. However, continue to collect at home and where ever you may be. Keep a container or two with you at all times. You never know when you are going to a bug you need. This week we will do some night collecting. We will discuss in class exactly what day(s) we want to do this

SB5: Students will evaluate the role of natural selection in the development of the theory of evolution.
a. Relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions.
b. Trace the history of evolution.
c. Explain how fossil and biochemical evidence support the theory.
d. Relate natural selection to changes in organisms.
e. Recognize the role of evolution to biological resistance(pesticide and antibiotic resistance).

Specific assignments:

Assignment 1: Finish assignments 1 and 2 from last week (if you have not already done so).

Assignment 2: Watch video on Butterflies. Take notes. Be prepared to discuss what you learned.

Week 7

We are almost at the mid-point. It's time to take inventory of where you are. You need 40 insects in your collection. Continue to collect, especially hunt for insects that will help you represent 12 different orders in your collection. When not working on your collection, work on your research project. And, remember to keep up with your journal.

Specific Assignments:

Assignment 1: Mount (spread) the insects you have caught so far. This will take a good portion of your time. You will work in the lab. Follow the guidelines for mounting insects (on handout). Dr. Maudsley will demonstrate several pinning and mounting techniques and assist you with your pinning.

Assignment 2: After you have spread your insects, take inventory. Count the total number of insects you have and how many different orders they represent. Give me the numbers as a short comment at the bottom of this assignment page.

Assignment 3: Work on your research topic. At this point you should have a good idea (have an outline) of what information is going to go into your paper. Be prepared to discuss your progress with me at some point during the week.

Assignment 4: Keep up with your journal. Collecting, working in the lab, spreading bugs, and working on your research project are all items that should be recorded in your journal.

Assignment 5: Study for Unit Test on Orders. Use the matching quiz you took in the last unit and your flash cards to prepare for the quiz. For this quiz you will be required to know what kinds of insects are in each order, what the Latin name for the order means (e.g. Diptera mean "two wing"), and what are the diagnostic characteristic(s) for each order.

If you are missing any information on an order, you can click here to find the missing info.

Week 6

The cut off for grades for progress report grades is Thursday, so this week we are going to concentrate on wrapping up the first half of the course.

Assignment 1: Prepare for quiz on the characteristics of the common orders of insects. Use your "flash cards" to help you study. If you missed a day and do not have all the information, click here to view a power point that summarizes the characteristics of the major orders of insects.

Assignment 2: Continue to collect and process your bugs.

Assignment 3: Keep up with your journal, especially your insect log.

Quiz: Match the different kinds of insects to the order in which they belong. To study 1) use your flashcards OR 2) review the power point on "Common Orders of Insects." It can be found in under Important Information or access it by clicking here.

Remember, in order to receive a grade, all work must be completed.

Assignment 4: Continue to work on your research project as time permits.

Research Projecgt

Everyone must complete a major research project for this class this semester. The topic of your paper is up to you, but it must have something to do with insects. I don’t want to assign topics because it is much more interesting to research and learn about something that you are personally interested in. However, it needs to relate to insects since this is an entomology class. I will be more than happy to help anyone select a topic if you are having trouble coming up with one. If this is the case, just stick around after class any day before the topic is due (August 23) and we will come up with something. To get your brains thinking I have listed some ideas to get you thinking.

o A disease or disorder caused or spread by insects

o A specific insect you think is cool

o Insects’ influence on art (visual, written, musical, etc.)

o Insects and fashion

o Insects and crops (good or bad)

o Urban insects

o Insects and crimes

o Insects and your food

o Insects and wars

o Insects and history

OR

• Complete a laboratory study on an insect or group of insects. I have several reseach topics that may interest you. Here, your final product will be a lab report outlining what you studied, your hypothesis, design of your experimentl, results, and conculsion. Details for writing your report will be provided.

If you choose a specific insect or group of insects that are of special interest to you, include but do not limit yourself to the following information:

• The insect's taxonomy (Kingdom, Phylum.........) including major morphological characteristics of the insect or group.
• Examples of the insects or insects in the group (with photographs if available)
• Distribution in the world. (where found in the world)
• Habitat (where do they live)
• Niche (what role it or they play in the community)
• Type of metamorphosis (describe and/or illustrate the stages of the life cycle)
• Interaction with man (beneficial? harmful? general influence on man)
• Interesting facts

A written report is perferred, but if you check with me first, I may allow you to turn the report into a power point. See me first.

Week 5

Hopefully, by now, you are well underway making your collection and are working on or at least have chosen a research project. If you haven't this is "make it or break it week!" So, that what we are going to concentrate on. I'll meet with you sometime this week to check on your progress and help you if your having problems.

We will continue to have one or more power point presentations each day. If your still have a few things to do on your presentation, work quickly and finish it. When you finish, remember to transfer a copy to my drop box and notify me that it's in there so I can look for it. Keep up with the information on your flash cards. Plan on a short quiz on the first 6 orders on which we have already had presentations.

After you complete the first three tasks listed below, you are free to go collecting. Remember to let me know you are going and take at least one person (who has also finished the tasks) with you. We still need to set up more traps. I'm going to assign tasks.

Specific assignments:

Assignment 1: Process any insects you have collected since last Friday and then update your Collection checklist.

Assignment 2: Leave me a comment at the end of this page telling me again what you want to do your research project on. If you need some ideas, just ask.

Assignment 3: Finish power point on your assigned Order of insects, place it in my drop box, then let me know you did so.

Assignment 4: On Wednesday plan to spend the entire period at the pond. We're going to collect aquatic insects. Click here to see an Introduction to Aquatic Insects. Bring a change of shoes to protect your feet from sharp, dry blades of grass and ants and don't mind getting a little muddy.

Week 4

This week is a short week. We will concentrate on collecting the common insects everyone should be able to find at this time of year while collecting is still good. Dr. Maudsley will pass out a checklist of common insects so you can keep track and know what you looking for when you go out to collect. We will set out more pitfall traps and set up the malaise trap which should help get some of the insects you need.

When not in the field, work on processing your specimens (log them into your journal and then store them in your zip-loc bag in the freezer. Also, you may budget some time to work on your research project. I'll give you more details of what to do as you proceed. Remember to write down everything you do each day in your journal, always include the weather.

Also, each day one person needs to present their powerpoint on the insect order they have been assigned. I'll come to see you individually about scheduling your presentation. As per your request, your presentation will be graded.