Learning Outcomes

Entomology majorly refers to the study of insects and all that surrounds them. The fact is that today’s human population is adrift in a sea of insects. If we look at numbers alone, the estimated ratio of insects to humans is 200 million to 1, and there are about 40 million insects for each acre of land. Along with humans, insects live in almost every habitable place on the earth, except the ocean depths. Some distinguished entomologists affirm that insects own the land. They are chief consumers of plants; they are the major predators of plant-eaters; they play a major role in the decay of organic matter and they serve as food for other kinds of animals.
This course aims to introduce the students to the basis of insect classification and biodiversity of different order up to family level. Lectures discuss the history of insect classification and morphological characteristics of the hexapod orders up to the family level. This course throws light into its evolvement, different classification, and distribution of insects, organization of external features, and body organs.

Course Contents

Theory:

Introduction to insect classification and biodiversity
Schemes of classification
Types and components of biodiversity
History of insects, phylogenetic affinities of different orders,
Insect adaptation in various geographical regions speciation and biodiversity
Classification of insect orders up to family level with particular reference to the insect fauna of Pakistan

Practical:

Collection, preservation, identification and classification of insects up to family level,
Methods of studying biodiversity

Readings

Afzal, M., S. A. Mufti, 1998. Natural History Research. Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Center, Islamabad.
Daly, H.V., J. T. Doyen, A. H. Purcell, B. B. Daly, 1998. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity. Oxford University Press.
Foottit, R. G., P. T. Adler, 2009. Insect Biodiversity Science and Society. Wiley – Blackwell Publication UK.
Richards, O.W., R. G. Davies, 1984. Imm‘s General Text Book of Entomology. Vol. II. 10th Ed. (Revised), Chapman and Hall, London.
Wheeler, W. M., 2006. Insects: their origin and evolution. Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi
Collins, W. W., C. O. Qualset, 1998. Biodiversity in Agroecosystems. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, New York.

Insect Collection

Over the term, each student will collect and preserve specimens to create a collection that will be turned in at the end of the term for a significant portion of lab grade. Students will be given the tools to complete the collection, and we will have at least two days in class to collect as a group. As you collect, you must take notes on the location, date, time, and ecological system in which you catch each specimen.