Introduction to
Entomology
Cheyenne, Jan. 22, 2007
Alex Latchininsky
UW Extension Entomologist
HOW MANY INSECT SPECIES
ARE THERE IN WYOMING?
PROBABLY, BETWEEN 10 AND 15 THOUSAND
COMPARE: TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES
OF MAMMALS ON EARTH IS 4,000
© A. Latchininsky 2006
# OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF
ORGANISMS ON EARTH
1,500,000
Bacteria
5,000
Fungi
Vertebrates
50,000
44,000
Plants
250,000
Insects
900,000
Other arthropods
125,000
Strength in numbers
• Insects outnumber humans
at a ratio of 200,000,000 to 1.
• There are 40 million insects
on each acre of land
• In the U.S. the insect
biomass is 400 lbs/acre, while
the human biomass is only
14 lbs/acre
WHY ARE THE INSECTS
SO SUCCESSFUL?
• Exoskeleton
• Small size
• Ability to fly
• Reproductive capacity
• Co-evolution with flowering plants
PESTS
Chewing pests…
Root Weevil and
its damage to
peony
© A. Latchininsky 2006
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Available on the web and
from UW-CES Bulletin Office
free of charge
Dee Bixby 766-2115
bixbyd@uwyo.edu
Landscaping Tips: about 30 Available from
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWCES/
Go to “Today’s Highlights”
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Chewing pests…
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Leaf cutter bee and its damage
This pest sucks!
Aphids: the gardener’s worst
nightmare
Gall-forming and
leaf-mining pests…
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Eriophyoid mite damage to aspen
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Liriomyza fly damage to goosefoot
Pests cute and cuddly…
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Weevil
Leaf beetles
Pests bizarre and ugly…
Psyllid nymphs
Spittlebugs
Root maggot
Fearsome and annoying…
Sphecid wasp
Mosquito
Stinging and biting…
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Paper wasp
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Bumble bee
Scary bugs
Crane fly (does not bite)
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Bugs in the system
or Ecological functions of insects
Tachinid fly
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Mud dauber
wasp
Pollination
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Decomposition
Dung beetles
Decomposition
Cockroach
Blow flies
Food chain
Mosquito larvae and pupae
Praying mantis
Food chain
Ants and caterpillar
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Food chain
Food chain
Spider-hunting wasp…
and bee-hunting spider
Are all bugs evil?
Scorpion fly (does not bite)
A few good bugs for a change
Larva
Lady beetles are effective aphid killers
Green lacewing - Another aphid hunter
Egg
Larva
Adult
And one more aphid hunter
Adult
Larva
Flower (syrphid) flies
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Adult
Larva (aquatic)
Dragonfly:
A mosquito killer…
© A. Latchininsky 2006
…or a butterfly assassin?
Swallowtail butterflies
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Larvae can be pests of carrots and other Apiaceae
Is it hard to love a fly?
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Tachinid fly – parasitoid of many pests
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Robber fly – predator
Both are beneficial!
Can this world survive without insects?
Tiger beetle – beneficial predator
© A. Latchininsky 2006
© Bobbie Holder 2006
American carrion beetle –
endangered species
Peaceful coexistence with insects?..
Tiger beetle
Earwig
© A. Latchininsky 2006
History lesson
Paper wasp invented and used paper well before the humans
Want to learn more about good and bad bugs?
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Come catch the Entomology
Short Course, 2007
What will be covered? General Entomology, Insect Identification,
Arachnids, Biological Control, Tree pests, Mosquitoes, and more.
When is it? The class will be held on February 6th, 7th, and 8th (T,W,TR),
2007. We will begin at 1 PM on the first day, go from 8 to 5 the second day and
release you at noon on the third day.
Where is it? College of Agriculture Building, University of Wyoming,
Laramie, WY.
Who teaches it? Dr. Alex Latchininsky & Scott Schell, UW-CES Extension
Entomologists. Plus guest lectures by other experts in their fields.
You will get two books, a course packet, a certificate, and a lot of fun for as
little as a $75. Class size is limited to 25!
UW Entomology Short Course 2006
© A. Latchininsky 2006
Enjoy the class tonight!
© A. Latchininsky 2006