Syllabus for Economic Entomology - EPP 321

I.  Economic Entomology (321)

II.  Instructor:

Dr. Paris Lambdin (plambdin@utk.edu)
Department Entomology & Plant Pathology, Ellington Plant Science Building

III.  Catalog Description:

Structure, Life history, habits, and principles of control of important insect pests. 3 hours. Credit includes lectures and 1 lab (Spring).
Lectures held in room 127 and labs held in room 101, Ellington Plant Science Building.

IV.  Textbooks:

Photographic Atlas of Entomology and Guide to Insect Identification (James L. Castner, Feline Press, P.O. Box 357219, Gainesville, FL 32635).
Principles of Entomology: Study Guide. E. L. Matheny & D. R. Minnick.

References:
Borrow, D. J. and R. E. White. 1970. A field guide to the insects of American North of Mexico. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 404p.

Borrer, D. J., C. A. Triplehorn, and N. F. Johnson. 1989. An introduction to the study of insects. Saunders Coll. Publ. Phil., PA. 785pp.

Davidson, R. H. and W. R. Lyon. 1979. Insect pests of farm, garden and orchard. 7th Ed. John Wiley & Sons. N.Y. 596p.

Pfadt, R. E. 1971. Fundamentals of applied entomology. 2nd ed. MacMillan New York, N.Y. 692p.

M. R. Berenbaum. Bugs in the System.

Romoser, W. W. 1972. The science of entomology. MacMillan Publ. Co. N.Y. 449p.

Journals
Journal of Economic Entomology
Environmental Entomology
Annual Review of Applied Entomology
Annals of Entomological Society of America
Journal of Australian Entomological Society
Hilgardia
Journal of Agricultural Science

V.  The goal of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the diversity of the insect world and the impact of insects on mankind and the standard of living to which all aspire. This will be done by introducing the student to the most common insect species through visual slides, drawings, laboratory specimens, etc., and by actively collecting and identifying insect specimens. In addition, selected lectures on a variety of current topics will be presented.

VI.  Subject Matter Syllabus

A.  Lecture Topics

1.  Insects, their importance and impact

A.  Biodiversity
B.  Ways insects are harmful or destructive
C.  Ways insects are beneficial.

2.  What is an insect?

A.  External Morphology: Head, thorax, abdomen and appendages
B.  Internal Morphology: Digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems

3.  How do insects get their names?

A.  Insect classification

4.  Insect development and metamorphosis

A.  Ametabolous, hemimetabolous, Holometabolous

5.  How do insects survive and protect themselves?

A.  Behavior and defense

6.  How can mankind protect themselves from insects?

Control techniques: biological, chemical, genetic, host resistance, cultural, integrated pest management (IPM), mechanical, physical

7.  What insect species impact food and fiber production?

A.  Field Crop Pests
B.  Fruit and Vegetable Pests

8.  How do insects impact mankind and the environment?

A.  Medical Pests
B.  Forest and Ornamental Pests
C.  Household Pests
D.  Beneficial Parasites and Predators of Insect Pests
E.  Influence on Society

9.  Are there some legal aspects of insect control we should know?

A.  Federal, state and local laws

B.  Laboratory topics

1.  External morphology of the grasshopper

General Structure of Insects
External Anatomy of the Grasshopper

2.  External morphology of ametabolous, hemimetabolous, and holometabolous insects.

3.  Insect taxonomy: Related arthropods

4.  Insect taxonomy: Incomplete and complete metamorphosis

5.  Major field crop insects: (e.g., corn, forage, small grains, soybeans)

6.  Ornamental Insects

7.  Fruit and vegetable insects

8.  Insect pests of medical importance

9. Household insect pests

10.  Forest insect pests

11.  Beneficial Insects (Parasites and Predators)

C.  Insect Collection

An insect collection is required as partial fulfillment of the objectives of Economic Entomology. A minimum of ten (10) orders are to be represented by specimens (at least 50 species) collected specifically by the student. The collection must represent insects collected within the east Tennessee region. Specimens are to be properly pinned, labeled, identified, and systematically arranged in a collection box (See handout and reference by Borrer, Triplehorn and Johnson, 1989). Pins and labels will be supplied. The collection will be due the last regular class meeting. In the event an individual finds it impossible to make a collection, a research paper (topic provided by instructor!) may be substituted for this requirement.

D.  SLIDE MODULES: Outside Study Source

Each student is required to review the slide material covering 21 lectures from APrinciples of Entomology : Study Guide@. By E. L. Matheny & D. R. Minnick. Modules will be assigned weekly during class. These modules may be accessed online by logging into the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Home Page; selecting Course listing; selecting EPP 321 Economic Entomology; and selecting Slide Modules.