ENY 3030 -- INSECT FIELD BIOLOGY
Days, time, and place to be determined
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
updated 12-04

Instructor and Office Hours:
Donald W. Hall
Room 1029, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
P.O. Box 110620
TEL 352-392-1901, ext 113
FAX 352-392-0190
dwhall@ufl.edu

Office hours: Call or email for an office appointment

Objectives and Goals:
1) Generate excitement about insects.
2) Learn ecological concepts using insects as examples.
3) Instill mindset of scientific inquiry.
4) Develop science process skills.
5) Learn major orders and 100 common Florida insects.
6) Learn to curate insect collection.
7) Have fun with insects!!!!
During most periods, we will be travelling in the vans. Please be in the classroom early enough to have time to recharge your killing jars, etc. and be ready to leave by 8:30. Because of the intensive nature of the Summer A Term and the fact that this is a field course in which it is virtually impossible to make up missed experiences, attendance is of the utmost importance.
Due to the unpredictability of weather and biological systems, it may be necessary to make adjustments to the schedule occasionally. We will normally spend at least part of every period in the field, so dress accordingly (sunscreen and hats recommended). In the event of inclement weather, other activities will be planned, but the class will still meet.

Topics to be Covered

• (We will cover many other minor topics during the course)
• Introduction; instructions for insect collection; leaf-litter insect community; common plants with interesting insect associations
• Set dung and carrion insect traps; sweeping and beating collections; fungus-growing ant behavior; general collecting
• Dung and carrion communities; beating collections; adaptive coloration;
• Termites: castes & trail pheromone; insects of dead trees; general collecting
• Insect microcommunities (Bidens alba community); harvester ant behavior; Mid-term Examination (Identify first 50 common insects to common name & order)
• Schoolyard ecology workshop
• Insects of standing water & their adaptations
• Insects of flowing water & their adaptations (Come prepared to wade)
• Antlions & tiger beetles; Insects & plant extrafloral nectaries; insects & Pollination (Portfolios due at beginning of period)
• Examine leaf litter samples; work on collections; (Insect collections due at end of period)
  
• Final Examination (Cumulative 100 common insects: identification to common name and order)

Prerequisites: None

Textbook: Borror, D.J. and R.E. White. 1970. A Field Guide to the Insects. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, MA 404p. Feinsinger, P. and M. Minno. 1990. Handbook to Schoolyard Plants and Animals of North Central Florida. The Nongame Wildlife Program, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. 128p. Gerberg, E. and R.H. Arnett. 1989. Florida Butterflies. Natural Science Publications, Inc. Baltimore, MD 90p.

Grading:
Student portfolio 100 points
Insect Collection 100 points
Mid-term Examination 100 points
Final Examination 100 points

Grading scale
A 90 - 100 points
B+88 - 89 points
B 80 - 87 points
C+78 - 79 points
C 70 - 77 points
D 60 - 69 points
E 60

Additional General Information: The following information applies to all courses at the University of Florida.

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standard of honesty and integrity.

Academic Honesty: As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."

Copyrighted Materials and Software Use: All students are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing copyrighted material and software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

University Counseling Services: Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling; and
4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

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