I. Introduction

1. Text book, examinations, grades
2. Objectives of the course
   1. Overview of Entomology
   2. Basic understanding of insect biology and natural history
   3. Appreciation of how insects affect our lives
      • Directly
      • Indirectly
   4. Insects are fascinating, fun, and newsworthy
3. Handouts, Reading assignments, Demonstrations, Displays
4. Insects are fascinating to many people
5. Why study insects?

II. Dominance of Insects

1. Number of species
2. Largest groups:
   1. Beetles
   2. Butterflies and moths
   3. Wasps, ants, and bees
   4. Flies
3. Relationship to other arthropods

III. What is an Insect?

1. Body divisions-Head, Thorax, Abdomen
2. Antennae
3. Legs
4. Wings
5. Tracheae
6. Complete metamorphosis
7. Exoskeleton
8. Ventral nerve cord, Dorsal heart, Mandibles

IV. Insect Diversity

1. How did the great abundance/diversity of insects occur?
2. Occupy many habitats
3. Favorable characteristics
   1. Size
   2. Reproductive potential
   3. Resistance
   4. Adaptability
   5. Dispersal
   6. Darwin's "Origin of Species"
      1. Number of organisms born-"Struggle for Existence"
      2. Variation among individuals-"Survival of the Fittest"
      3. Appearance of new variation-"Organic evolution"
   7. Adaptation
   8. Radiations

   Readings in Gullan, P.J. and Cranston, P. S. (1994). The Insects: An Outline of Entomology:

   • Read: pp. 2-3, (1-1.2); pp. 7-10 (1.3)
     
   • Scan: pp. 3-6 (1.2.1-1.2.2)
   
   

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