mantisdark

INSECT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

ENT 5114, CRN 97905
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
FALL SEMESTER - 2019      CRN 90060

Updated 8 November 2019


Catalog Description
 

A comparative study of the major structures and organ systems emphasizing modifications important in the success of insects. Prerequisites: ENT 3014 or equivalent. (2H, 3L, 3C) odd years. Lecture MW 10:10-11:00. Lab M 1:25-4:10. Price 221

Instructor

Douglas G. Pfeiffer
205C Price Hall (1-4183)
dgpfeiff@vt.edu

Justification and Educational Objectives

A thorough knowledge of insect morphology is essential to a well trained entomologist. It is considered to be the first course in a formal course series which includes Insect Physiology and Insecticide Toxicology (or Insect Behavior), all of which are 6000 level courses. The objectives of this course are:

Textbooks Additional Reading LECTURE SYLLABUS

Topic (Number of Lectures)


Lecture Date Topic Chapman Snodgrass
1 Aug 26 Evolution and ancestry . .
2 Aug 28 Arthropodization and Integument 16 1, 3, 4
3 Sep 2
Evolution of Insect Head 1.1-1.2 6
4 Sep 4
Apterygote Head . 6
5 Sep 9
Pterygote Head . 6
6 Sep 11 Head Appendages 1.3, 2.1.1 6, 7, 12
7 Sep 16
Derived Mouthparts 2.1.2-2.5 12
8 Sep 18
Insect Thorax 7 8
9 Sep 23 Thoracic Appendages 8 9, 10

Sep 25
Exam I


10 Sep 30
Wing-folding and Flight 9 10
11 Oct 2
Insect Abdomen 11 11
12 Oct 7
Female External Genitalia 13.5 19
13 Oct 9
Male External Genitalia 12.3-12.5 19
14 Oct 14 Internal Reproductive Organs 12.1-12.2, 13.1-13.4 18
15 Oct 16
Eggs 14.1 .
16 Oct 21 Embryology & Preimaginal Development 14.2-14.6 2

Oct 23
Exam II


17 Oct 28
Respiration 17 14
18 Oct 30
Circulatory System 5 15
19 Nov 4
Alimentary System 3, 4 13
20 Nov 6
Excretory System 18 14
21 Nov 18 Nervous System and Muscle 10, 20 16
22 Nov 20
Insect Eyes 22, 25 17
23 Dec 2
Non-visual Sensory Structures 23, 24, 26 17
24 Dec 4
Neuroendocrine System 27 .
25 Dec 9
Exocrine System 27 .

LABORATORY SYLLABUS
(See dissection video clips)

Topic (Number of Lab Periods)

Session Date Topic
1 Aug 26
Segmentation and Tagmosis
2 Sep 2
Head I
3 Sep 9
Head II
4 Sep 16
Head III
5 Sep 23 Thorax
6 Sep 30
External Genitalia
7
Oct 7
Practical I
8
Oct 14 Internal Reproductive System
9 Oct 21 Respiratory System
10 Oct 28
Circulatory System
11 Nov 4
Digestive/Excretory Systems
12 Nov 18 Nervous System I
13 Dec 2
Nervous System II
14 Dec 9
Practical II

Honor System Policies

The current Honor System policies of the University will be enforced.

Examinations

Examinations will be held in both the laboratory and lecture components of the course. Laboratory examinations will be by lab practical, and 2 will be held during the semester. Three lecture examinations will be by written essay. Both types of will be one hour in length.

Course Evaluation and Final Exam Procedures

Final grades will be an average of performance on the lecture and laboratory exams.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences evaluation form and procedures for its employment will be followed. The final examination will be administered as directed by University policies.

Office Hours

Feel free to stop by my office (Price Hall 205C) any time for short questions. Discussions longer than about 10 min should be done by appointment
 

Exam I Sep 23; Exam II Oct 23; Exam III  Dec 17 (3:25-5:25)
Lab Practical I Oct 7; Lab Practical II Dec 9 (lab period)
Nov 10-13 - ESA Meeting in Austin - no class
Nov. 23-Dec 1 - Thanksgiving Break - no class.