Course Title: ENVS*4040 - Behaviour of Insects
Course Description:
This course investigates the behaviour of insects within an ecological and evolutionary framework. Topics range from basic behavioral principles to the complex behaviours exhibited by the social insects. (Further details are given below.)
Credit Weight: 0.50
Academic Department (or campus): School of Environmental Sciences
Campus: Guelph
Semester Offering: W
Class Schedule and Location:
Lectures: Mondays/Wednesdays: J.T. Powell Building (JTP) 212: 10:00-11:20 AM
Discussion/Seminar: Fridays, Crop Sci 101: 9:30-10:20 OR 10:30-11:20 OR 11:30-12:20
Instructor Name: Dr. Gard W. Otis
Instructor E-mail: gotis@uoguelph.ca
; Telephone: 519-824-4120 x52478
Office location and office hours: E.C. Bovey (ECBA) Rm. 242:
Tuesday 9:30-12:00 and Wednesday 11:30-1:00
GTA Name: None
GTA Email: not applicable
GTA office location and office: None

Specific Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of fundamentals of animal behaviour through study of insect examples. Lecture material (concepts and facts) will be tested on exams.
Employ and improve abilities in experimentation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In undertaking a class experiment, students will gain experience in formulation of hypotheses, development of experimental methods, conducting an experiment, and analysis and description of results.
Become proficient in searching for literature (through Web of Science and other search engines)
Utilize effective communication skills. All assignments (the written research paper, the discussion sessions with their required readings, group work for the class experiment, even the exams) are designed to improve reading comprehension and oral/written communication skills.
Explore the value and limitations of the scientific method. The scientific method begins with observations of natural phenomena. The description of video clips of insects requires that students observe carefully and question what they see, while describing behaviours as objectively as possible. Students will explore the subjective aspects of research; the value and limitations of guiding paradigms, scientific revolutions during which one paradigm replaces another, and the process of publishing in journals.
Gain an understanding of the historical development of concepts relating to animal behaviour. Depth and breadth of understanding will be emphasized through some lecture topics and tested for on exams.
Practice professional and personal integrity by respecting diverse points of view. This can be accomplished during discussions in lectures and seminars, through teamwork while conducting the class experiment, by accurately reporting the results of our class experiment, and by following guidelines relating to referencing the works of others in the write-up of the experiment.
Lecture Content:
We will explore a variety of behavioural topics relevant to insects, from simple behaviours (i.e., reflexes, fixed action patterns, taxes, etc.) to complex group actions of social insects. Through varied learning experiences, student understanding of animal behaviour, evolutionary theory and processes, and experimentation will be enhanced. I seek to convey greater understanding of current as well as former paradigms (i.e., ways of approaching scientific issues) of animal behaviour, and the process of scientific enquiry (subjectivity in science; “scientific revolutions” and how they come about; controversies between scientists working with different paradigms; and the process involved in publishing research.
Specific topics (in approximate sequential order) are likely to include:
• Behaviorism vs. ethology as fundamental paradigms guiding research.

• Basic components: reflexes, fixed action patterns, supranormal stimuli, taxes, mechanisms of orientation.
• Contrasts between learned and genetically controlled behaviours.
• Sexual selection: male-male contests, female choice, and sex-role reversal.
• Mimicry and the role of behavior.
• Insect sociality: intro to termites, ants, wasps, and bees, and other odd eusocial organisms.
• Haplodiploidy, inclusive fitness, and the evolution of sociality.
• Self-organization of group behaviours.
• Insect recruitment: odour trails of termites and ants; dance language of honeybees
(and alternative explanations of honeybee recruitment), recruitment by Melipona.
• Role of behaviour in speciation.
The course introduces students to the process of behavioural inquiry. Lectures are integrated with discussions about readings; video analyses (observing, describing, and analyzing video clips of insects); preparing for and conducting a class experiment; writing a manuscript on the experiment.
Labs:
Class experiment, to be conducted on 31 Jan, 6 Feb., 7 Feb. (and possibly 1 and 8 Feb.). Details to follow once the supplier of bumblebee colonies provides details of the shipping date.
Seminars:
The class is broken into 3 sections that meet on Friday mornings (9:30-10:20; 10:30-11:20;
11:30-12:20). During the first three seminars we discuss background literature to a research topic dealing with Insect Behaviour (bumblebee behaviour before and after contacting nectar of low or high quality), then discuss and agree upon methods for the full-class group experiment. The remaining seminars will be used to discuss the results of the experiment and to provide guidance on the write-up of the group experiment and preparation for the final exam.
Course Assignments and Tests:
Assignment or Test
Videos (3, in class)
Midterm Exam
Due Date Contribution to Final
Mark (%)
15% 14 January, 9 February,
9 March
25 Feb., in class
(covers lecture material covered through February
20%
Experiment write-up
Contributions to
Discussions
23 March
All semester - Friday discussions periods
5%
25%
10%
Learning Outcomes
Assessed
4, 5
1, 4, 5, 6
2, 3
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 4, 5, 7

Additional Notes (if required):
By 2 March, students must turn in a set of references related to the class experiment. Students must present a minimum of 8 relevant references (those distributed in class may be included) to obtain a mark of 65%; larger numbers of references (up to a maximum of 20) will result in a higher mark. Note: they must be relevant to the experiment!
The write up/paper for the experiment is to be in the format of a scientific manuscript.
Detailed instructions will be provided separately by Dr. Otis. This assignment is due on
Monday, 23 March.
Assignments will incur a penalty of 2% for each day an assignment is late. If you have a valid excuse (medical or compassionate, with appropriate documentation) for handing in your paper late, there will be no penalty assessed. Arrangements must be made directly with Dr. Otis for an alternative submission date.
The papers will be assessed as follows:
Title 4%
Running Head
Key Words
2%
2%
Abstract
Introduction
10%
15%
Methods 15%
Results (incl. graphs) 20%
Discussion 20%
Acknowledgements 2%
References 10%
Final examination date and time: 14 April: 7:00-9:00 PM; location to be announced.
Final exam weighting: 25%
Final Examination regulations are detailed at: Examination Regulations
Required Texts: None
Recommended Texts: None
Lab Manual: None

Other Resources:
Students will read several scientific papers related to the topic of the class experiment. Due to copyright restrictions, pdf files of these cannot all be distributed to multiple users (e.g. everyone in our class). All readings can be accessed through the Web of Science or other means. Instructions for accessing the literature will be provided.
Messages about recent news about insect behaviour, recent studies, answers to questions from previous lectures, and other info related to the behaviour of insects will be posted to
Courselink.
Field Trips:
Course experiment, to be done on campus the Otis lab, Rm. 2244 Bovey. Details under
“Labs” above.
Additional Costs:
Students must pay a course fee of not more than $50, to cover the costs of supplies needed for the class experiment. The exact cost will depend on the cost of the bumblebee colonies
(the supplier usually only requires that we pay the costs of shipping the bees, in which case the cost will be less than $10). This mandatory fee is one reason there is no textbook for this course.
Grading Policies:
The date of the midterm and final exams are fixed. Accommodations for an alternative exam may be made in the case of personal health or compassionate reasons, with appropriate supporting documentation.
Written assignments are due on the date noted, and will incur a 2% penalty for each day they are late. Hard (paper) copies of assignments are preferred; however, on weekends or if the student cannot reach campus, they may be submitted by email.
Undergraduate Grading Procedures
Course Policy on Group Work:
Students will work in groups to prepare for our class experiment, conduct the experiment, and analyse and interpret the data; however all assignments turned in for marking are to be completed individually. Students must be present at the time and date they agree to for their participation in the group experimentation.

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:
Cell phones and laptop computers are to be turned off during class unless instructed otherwise by the instructor. If the use of a laptop computer is necessary because you have unique issues related to learning, you should discuss those directly with Dr. Otis. Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor. When recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor.
Academic Consideration:
When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration: Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions
Academic Misconduct:
The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.
University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.
The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar:
Academic Misconduct Policy
Accessibility:
The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators.
This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the
University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Centre for Students with

Disabilities as soon as possible.
For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email csd@uoguelph.ca or see the website: Student Accessibility Services Website
Course Evaluation Information:
The School of Environmental Sciences takes student feedback seriously. The SES Director sees all student feedback and discusses this feedback with the faculty where appropriate.
Numerical scores and signed student comments are reviewed by the School’s Tenure &
Promotion Committee, and are considered in our evaluation of the faculty member for the granting of tenure, advancement in rank, and performance related salary increases. This committee will NOT see comments that are not signed by the student. Faculty members are not able to access their own teaching evaluations until after their final grades are submitted to the registrar.
Please refer to the Course and Instructor Evaluation Website
Drop date:
The last date to drop one-semester courses, without academic penalty, is March 6, 2015. For regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses, see the Academic Calendar:
Current Undergraduate Calendar
I was trained as a population biologist/ecologist, with a keen life-long interest in animal behaviour. For 40 years I have researched behaviour and ecology of insects, primarily honey bees plus some other bees, beetles, and butterflies (even birds, my lifelong passion) along the way. My strong personal bias is towards behavioural ecology in contrast to psychological, neurological, and physiological approaches to the study of behaviour, with an emphasis on evolutionary principles. To elucidate the important features of a particular issue, we will sometimes start lectures or interrupt them with a question and full-class discussions about a topic. It is important to come to class and to be prepared to participate.
Students who have a particular topic they would like to see covered during the semester should make this known to me.
I hope you enjoy this course. I enjoy teaching it.
Gard Otis