02621 - Entomology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of the morphology, biology and ecology of the different orders of exapoda. They will be able to identify the main families, the most representative species and those that are most important from the conservation and sanitary points of view. They will also be able to suggest criteria and actions for the conservation of insect biodiversity.

Course contents

Morphology, anatomy and physiology

Head: mouthparts, eyes, ocelli, antennae

Thorax: prothorax, mesothorax, metathorax, legs, wings

Abdomen and its appendages

Integument. Respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive, endocrine, excretory and reproductive systems

Life cycle and ecology

Postembryonic development, moult and metamorphosis. Apterygota, Exopterygota, Endopterygota

Feeding. Insects and plants. Insects and other animals. Insects and man.

Systematics

Entognatha: Protura, Diplura, Collembola. Insecta: Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Orthoptera, Phasmatodea, Embioptera, Plecoptera, Dermaptera, Mantodea, Blattodea, Isoptera, Psocoptera, Phthiraptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Mecoptera, Siphonaptera, Diptera.

Conservation

Main threats. Protection and management criteria. Examples of insect species of conservation interest.

Readings/Bibliography

Gullan P.J., Cranston P.S. (2005 or following editions) The Insects, an outline of entomology, Wiley-Blackwell.

Chinery M. (2012) Insects of Britain and Western Europe. A&C Black.

Teaching methods

Lectures, observations of live insects and preserved specimens, field trips.

 

Assessment methods

Written test (15 questions needing short answers) followed by an oral test based on a discussion of the written test and on the identification of insects (photos or specimens).

Teaching tools

PC, slide projector, preserved insects

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Ghesini