Description
This course will provide an overview on insecticide classification, formulation, mode of action, resistance, metabolism, environmental fate, and regulatory legislation.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites. However, a general knowledge of entomology and organic chemistry is needed.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
Topics
| The need for pesticides and their pattern of use |
| The formulation of pesticides |
| Pesticide laws and regulations |
| The classification of insecticides |
| Evaluation of toxicity |
| The uptake of insecticides |
| The mode of action of insecticides |
| Principles of pesticide metabolism |
| Species differences and other phenomena associated with the metabolism of xenobiotics |
| Insecticide resistance |
| Pesticides in the environment |
Description
Advanced Mosquito Biology is an in-depth course on mosquito classification, natural history, ecology, physiology, population dynamics, mosquito-borne disease and control. The relationships between mosquitoes, humans and the environment, along with the mechanisms of pathogen propagation and transmission, will be emphasized. The course will be offered in an online format by experts at UF Medical Entomology Laboratory.
Prerequisites
There are no prior coursework requirements to enroll; however this is an advanced course and basic knowledge of ecology, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology is highly recommended. Graduate students are encouraged to contact the course director with questions prior to enrolling in the course.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Understand the fundamental biological processes governing the various life stages of the mosquito.
- Identify human practices that promote the proliferation of anthropophilic mosquito species.
- Analyze the suitability of an environment to support immature and adult mosquitoes in terms of its ecological factors, and to furthermore evaluate the suitability of the environment for mosquito-borne disease transmission.
- Review and understand literature pertinent to mosquito biology including physiology, modeling, genetics, ecology, and disease transmission.
- Scientifically and systematically assess contemporary issues related to mosquito ecology, control, and disease transmission.
Description
Physiology and biochemistry of insect life.
Prerequisites
You should have had at least one introductory course in entomology/insect biology such as ENY 3005 or ENY 5006. In addition, a course in biochemistry or molecular genetics.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
Students will learn to recognize and clearly define important terms in the vocabulary of physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and cell biology of insect systems, so that they will have the knowledge to become conversant in the field. This objective will be assessed through in class discussions, web forum discussions, paper discussions, and on exams.
Description
Vector-borne pathogens affect humans, wildlife and agriculture more than any other group of infectious disease. Researchers, policy makers and public health workers need a firm understanding of the ecology of vector-borne pathogens to effectively predict and interrupt epidemics. This course begins with an introduction to the components inherent to vector-borne disease systems and the basic concepts of disease ecology.
The course then focuses on various pathogens and how aspects of the environment, host and vector biology influence pathogen transmission. Some of the questions that we will address include: Why do epidemics occur where and when they do? Why are some pathogens, such as dengue, re-emerging? Why do most vector-borne pathogens have limited geographic ranges?
Prerequisites
- General Biology
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Understand the distinctions between ecology of vector-borne and directly transmitted pathogens.
- Have a working understanding of concepts of epidemiological models.
- Understand the factors that limit, initiate, maintain and spread the transmission of vector-borne pathogens.
- Gain knowledge about varied pathogens transmitted by diverse vector groups.
- Graduate students will review, understand and synthesize scientific literature pertinent to the ecology of vector-borne diseases including emergent pathogens, climate change, host selection and biological diversity.
Topics
| Week | Topic |
| Week 1 | Introduction:What is a vector? What is a parasite? What is a pathogen? |
| Week 2 | Arthropod vectors: Biology of Insects and mites |
| Week 3 | Non-arthropod-vectors: Biology of vertebrates |
| Week 4 | Ecology;Pathogen environmental adaptation(guest lecture) |
| Week 5 | Zoonoses and Anthroponoses |
| Week 6 | SIR Models(with guest lecture) |
| Week 7 | Exam 1(Oct. 2); Rabies, hanta virus and Ebola |
| Week 8 | Dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya |
| Week 9 | Bluetongue virus (guest lecture) and eastern equine encephalitis virus |
| Week 10 | West Nile virus |
| Week 11 | Plague and tularemia |
| Week 12 | Huanglongbing/ citrus greening (guest lecture) |
| Week 13 | Lyme disease |
| Week 14 | Chagas Disease (Thanksgiving week) |
| Week 15 | Malaria &river blindness; Review article due (ENY 6206 only) |
| Week 16 | Exam 2(Dec.4) |
Description
This lab class in designed to introduce you to common techniques used in insect ecology field research and to be comfortable with the manipulation of data derived from ecological experiments. A major component of the course gives you practice in writing up research results as a scientific paper. This is one of the required courses in the entomology graduate curriculum and should be taken concurrently with the Insect Ecology lecture course, ENY6203.
Prerequisites
ENY 3005/5006, or any introductory entomology course.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Assess the extent of foliar damage done by insect herbivores
- Model insect development and population dynamics through various techniques
- Estimate insect population size through various techniques
- Describe insect diversity within ecosystems
- Evaluate and critique content of scientific journal articles
- Analyze experimental data and write a manuscript in the format required for publication in a scientific journal
Topics
| Module | Topic |
| 1 | Reading and writing scientific literature |
| 2 | Influence of temperature on insect development and measuring microclimatic variables |
| 3 | Measuring insect herbivory |
| 4 | Marking techniques |
| 5 | Life tables and population dynamics |
| 6 | Sampling methods |
| 7 | Litter/soil arthropod communities |
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 |
Description
The goal of this course is to provide you with a sound theoretical and practical understanding of insect diversity and the practice of classifying organisms. Lectures discuss the general principles of systematics, history of insect classification, construction and use of identification tools, nomenclature, and biology and evolutionary history of the hexapod orders. We also explore why competing classifications exist in taxonomy, and what existing classifications imply about broad patterns of evolutionary change and diversification within insects. A collection is required that will refine your ability to identify insects to the level of order, family and species. Accumulating the required numbers of taxa will be possible only by employing a variety of collecting techniques and working with dichotomous keys. Building an insect collection, with correctly identified and curated specimens is an excellent way to learn, understand and employ the methods used by professionals to identify and classify not only insects, but living organisms in general.
Prerequisites
NY 3005, Principles of Entomology, or a similar course dealing with the classification of insects. Students are expected to be familiar with the insect orders before taking this class.
Course Format
Course Goals
- Identify hexapods to order and the majority of common insects to family by sight.
- Identify adult insects to order and family using dichotomous keys.
- Collect insects and field data in different habitats using a variety of techniques.
- Curate insect specimens properly, including labeling, pinning, point mounting, and preserving in ethanol.
- Describe the taxonomic process: how species are described, named and classified.
- Explain how key innovations in the life history of insects led to their incredible diversity.
- Interpret phylogenetic trees depicting the evolutionary relationships among insects.
Topics
| Module | Topic |
| 1 | Introduction |
| 2 | Collecting, Curating & Identifying Insects |
| 3 | Major Insect Lineages |
| 4 | Early Insect Orders |
| 5 | Insect Classification Concepts I |
| 6 | Orthopteroids: Polyneoptera |
| 7 | Hemipteroids: Paraneoptera |
| 8 | Hymenoptera |
| 9 | Insect Classification Concepts II |
| 10 | Coleoptera, Neuroptera & Strepsiptera |
| 11 | Lepidoptera & Trichoptera |
| 12 | Diptera, Siphonaptera & Mecoptera |
| 13 | Insect Evolution |
Description
The biology of honey bees and the craft of apiculture will be examined by exploring the natural history, biogeography and ecology of honey bees. Honey bee anatomy, physiology, colony social structure, pests/diseases, pollination ecology, management and current topics in beekeeping will be discussed.
Prerequisites
This course contains significant scientific content. If you are unsure of any vocabulary terms or scientific principles, please take the time to research them. It will be easy to fall behind if you do not understand the content. A basic biology prerequisite is recommended, though not required.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Compare the natural histories of honey bees with those of other bees, emphasizing the development of sociality in bee hymenoptera.
- Examine the diversity and biogeography of honey bees.
- Discover the intricacies of honey bee biology, anatomy, physiology.
- Determine the contributions of nest structure, eusocial behavior, and super organism colonytraits to the success of honey bees globally.
- Appraise the history, development, and practice of apiculture.
- Associate apiculture with production agriculture, ecosystem health, and human success.
- Synthesize transcending topics (such as parasitology, invasive species biology, IPM, etc.) using apiculture as a model.
Topics
| Week | Module |
| 1 | Getting Started |
| 2 and 3 | Phylogeny and Biogeography |
| 4 and 5 | Anatomy and Physiology |
| 6 | Biology |
| 7 | Beekeeping |
| 8 | Pests Predators & Pathogens |
| 9 | Management Strategies |
| 10 | Hive Products |
| 11 | Ecosystem Services |
| 12 | Breeding and African honey bees |
| 13 | CCD, Research, and Extension |
Description
This course provides the student an overview of the ecology, diversity, and agricultural and veterinary importance of insects in the tropics. Insects are the most diverse multicellular organisms in the tropics. Their roles in nature have diversified into most habitats where they are fungivores, herbivores, necrophages, coprophages, saprophages, parasitoids, parasites, and predators. They provide critical ecosystem services such as decomposition, nutrient recycling, pollination, and biological control. Tropical insects are used as bioindicators of ecosystem health and conservation needs, in butterfly farming, live material in insect zoos, and models in literature, art, and sculpture.
Course Format
Online – Live Attendance Required
Course Goals
- Basic concepts about the tropics and tropical ecosystems
- Faunistic richness of insects in the tropics
- Seasonality and survival in tropical environments
- Dung beetles in tropical environments
- Termites in tropical environments
- Ants in tropical environments
- Insect conservation
- Tropical insect-plant interactions
- Pollination of tropical plants by insects
- Mimicry in tropical insects
- Entomophagy in the tropics
- Economic importance of tropical insects in tropical crops
- Medical and veterinary importance of tropical insects
Description
Identification, biology, ecology, and management of common arthropod families and species inhabiting turf grasses and ornamental plants in urban landscapes (emphasis on the Southeastern U.S.) are discussed. Integrated pest management (IPM) (e.g., safe use of insecticides, biological and cultural control, plant resistance, etc.) is emphasized.
Prerequisites
- At least 1 semester of a college-level Biology course is encouraged, but not required.
- Students should be self-motivated, avoid procrastinating, and ask questions if needed.
- Students must have reliable access to a computer and basic computer skills to access course materials.
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Explain the rationale behind different IPM tactics in turf and ornamental pest management.
- Recognize arthropods in different horticulturally-important orders and families by sight and by written description.
- Differentiate arthropod signs and symptoms, and troubleshoot problems on various sites (e.g., lawns, golf courses, nurseries, greenhouses, or urban landscape plant beds)
- Anticipate pest activity periods, evaluate turf and ornamental plant health, and create a practical management plan to solve arthropod pest problems.
- Identify beneficial arthropods and explain why they are important in urban landscape systems.
Topics
| Module | Lesson |
| 1. | Introduction to Entomology |
| 2. | Insects and Their Environment |
| 3. | The Foundation: Integrated Pest Management |
| 4. | Chemical Control of Insects |
| 5. | Insect Pests of OrnamentalPlants |
