ENY 6942 -- INSECT DIAGNOSTICS
Monday, Periods 6-8 (12:50 p.m. -3:50 p.m.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive, room 3118
updated 12-04

Instructor and Office Hours:
Lyle Buss
Room 2205, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
P.O. Box 110620
TEL 352-392-1901, ext 190
FAX 352-392-5660
LJBuss@ifas.ufl.edu

Office hours: Any time you can find me in my office, or by appointment

Course Description: The goal of this course is to improve your knowledge of pest identification, particularly species-level determination within important orders, families, and pest complexes. This course also is intended to make you aware of many of the sources of information and other techniques that will aid you in identification. You also will be exposed to the types of inquiries and samples submitted to the insect diagnostic laboratory, and learn how diagnosticians respond to such samples

Topics to be Covered (these may change)
Identification of grasshoppers (Acrididae)
Identification of cutworms and relatives (primarily Noctuidae)
Identification of termites (Isoptera)
Identification of ants (Formicidae)
Identification of spiders (Araneae)
Identification of katydids (Tettigoniidae) and crickets (Gryllidae)
Identification of thrips (Thysanoptera)
Identification of aphids (Aphididae)
Identification of stored product pests
Identification of scales (Coccidae, Diaspididae, and relatives)
Identification of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)
Identification of stink bugs (Pentatomidae)
Identification of white grubs (Scarabaeidae)

Prerequisites: A course in insect identification.

Textbook: None. You will be provided with diagnostic materials and lists of sources of information.

Assignments: Students will be given several samples of insect submissions and letters of inquiry during the semester, and you will have one week to identify the unknowns and explain how you would respond to these inquiries. Students may use any written materials to identify the samples but must work independently and not consult anyone about the determinations. We will reserve the last 15 minutes of each class for such reports and discussions.

Grading:
The course grade is based on 100 points: 40 points each for 2 identification exams and 20 points for homework assignments and participation in diagnostic group discussions.

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

Critical Dates for Exams or Other Work: Please see the printed syllabus for scheduled dates of exams. Students will be expected to sign the following statement on all exams: "On my honor I pledge that I have neither given nor received assistance in the completion of this test."

Class Attendance Policy: Students are expected, but not required, to attend.

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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