Introductory Entomology - 2007
ENTM 2050
Course Instructor: Terry Galloway, Room 212 Animal Science/Entomology Bldg.
Tel.: 474-6024; E-mail: Terry_Galloway@umanitoba.ca
Lectures: Room 108, Animal Science/Entomology
Labs: Room 203, Animal Science/Entomology
Tentative Lecture Topics:
Introduction
Introduction to the insects
Basic insect anatomy, form and function
Patterns of development and growth
Regulation of processes
Communication
Survival under adversity
Collecting insects
Classification
Soil insects
Scavengers
Forensic entomology
Aquatic entomology
Insects in relation to plants
Pollination ecology
Insect pests of crops
Insect parasites
Insect pathogens
Biological control of insect pests and weeds
Insects that affect domestic animals and wildlife
Insects that affect the health and welfare of humans
Social insects
Conclusions
Laboratory Topics
#1 - How to use the microscope
Insect form and function; insect collecting equipment
#2 - The insect orders
#3 - Soil insects and scavengers
#4 - Lab exam (1 Oct.)
#5 – No lab
#6 - Aquatic insects
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#7 - Phytophagous insects
#8 - Phytophagous insects
#9 - Lab exam (5 Nov.)
#10 – No lab
#11 - Parasites and predators
#12 - Blood-feeding insects and parasites of vertebrates;
Social insects and pollinators
#13 - Final lab exam (3 Dec.)
Textbook Requirements
Gullan and Cranston - The Insects. An Outline of Entomology, 3rd Ed.
Borror and White - A Field Guide to the Insects
These texts are available in the University of Manitoba Bookstore.
Laboratory Manual - The manual is sold for $6.00 and will be available in the lab.
Breakdown of Grades
Lecture Exams - Midterm: 18 October (20%)
Final Exam: TBA (30%)
Lab Exams - #1: 1 October (10%)
#2: 5 November (10%)
Final lab exam: 3 December (20%)
Essay - 16 November (10%)
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INTRODUCTORY ENTOMOLOGY B ENTM 2050
ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
You are free to select a family of insects from a list in the Entomology General Office
(Room 214, Animal Science/Entomology) for the main topic of the essay. The objectives of the
essay are to present information on the natural history (biology) of that family, and to discuss the
economic importance of the group. The economic importance need not be limited to agriculture;
it may be a reflection of damage, annoyance or losses, transmission of disease pathogens, impact
on the quality of life for humans and/or domestic animals or wildlife. You should also discuss
the beneficial aspects of members of the family where possible. This essay assignment is an
opportunity for you to examine one group of insects in greater depth than we can afford to
approach for any group in an introductory course. Consider that each student in the course has
been assigned a different family, and that in this course we have a chance to see only a small
number of the families of insects.
The essay is worth 10% of your final grade, and is due in my office by the end of the day,
16 November. The essay should be no less than four pages in length, and no more than seven
pages, exclusive of title page, figures and references. The essay should be double-spaced, on
21.5 x 27.8 cm paper, with 2.2 cm margins; 12 pt Times Roman, Courier or Elite fonts are
acceptable.
A critical skill in scientific writing is the ability to access relevant information and
references quickly and efficiently. You must obtain information from the primary literature
to support this essay. Valuable tools for searching the primary literature are the databases
available in the University of Manitoba Library system. If you are unfamiliar with this system,
please see an Agriculture or Science Librarian as soon as possible, and enrol in a training session.
When you submit your essay, please attach a copy of the printout from your search
strategies. You may also use textbooks and monographs, but these are regarded as only
secondary sources of information. It is essential that you get into the primary literature available
in serial publications, or journals, held in the library, or requested through interlibrary loan.
Encyclopedias, including CD versions, are of little specific use for research at this level in your
university career, and should be avoided. The internet certainly is a valuable source of
information, but you should be aware that many sites are not peer reviewed, and the information
posted may not be correct. Please keep internet sources to a bare minimum, i.e., no more than
one site. If you cite an internet website, provide the complete citation so that I can visit the site
to verify the source. Only references you use in your essay should be cited at the end of the paper
under the heading "Literature Cited". You must acknowledge your sources of ideas and
information in this section of your essay. Consult with the most recent issue of The Canadian
Entomologist, and use this format for presentation of your references. Pay particular
attention to appearance of font, use of bold text, and for journal citation.
If you hand your essay in late, without approval, you will receive a penalty of 0.5% per
day that it is late. In other words, if you achieve a grade of 8.0 for your essay and you have
handed it in one day late, your recorded grade will be 7.5. Students who do not submit an essay
before the end of term will receive a grade of F Incomplete until the essay is submitted.
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Plagiarism is a serious offense. You can refer to the University of Manitoba
Undergraduate Calendar for a definition, description and discussion of plagiarism. Students who
plagiarize their essay will receive a grade of zero for the essay.
If you run into any difficulties at any point in the preparation of this essay, please come
and see me immediately. You can catch me in the lab, or in my office, Room 212 Animal
Science/Entomology Building; my telephone number is 474-6024.
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