ENY 6203 Insect Ecology
Description
This course is an introduction to the concepts in ecology with emphasis on insects. The relationships of insects with their biotic and physical environments, along with the roles of insects in nature, will be emphasized. The basics of ecological research will also be covered. This is one of the required courses in the entomology graduate curriculum.
Prerequisites
ENY 3005/5006, or any introductory entomology course
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Explain influences of an insect’s biotic and abiotic environment on evolution of life histories
- Describe causes and effects of patterns of insect species abundance and distribution within ecosystems
- Describe fundamental ecological principles underlying the development and application of insect pest management and insect conservation
- Evaluate and critique ecological primary literature for content and scientific quality
- Translate scientific ecological literature into lay public-accessible presentations
Topics
Week | Topic |
1 | Introduction to insect ecology |
2 | Insects and climate |
3 | Introduction to herbivory |
4 | Plant defenses and insect counter defenses |
5 | Resource niche and competition |
6 | Natural enemy behavioral ecology |
7 | Predator-prey and host-parasite interactions |
8 | Insect defenses against enemies |
9 | Mutualisms |
10 | Pollination |
11 | Life history strategies |
12 | Insects in ecosystems |
13 | Sampling insect populations |
14 | Measuring community structure |
15 | Factors affecting community structure |
16 | None |