University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notes - Introductory Comments

1. Introduce myself and TA.
   1. Tell about research, background with class.
   2. Have TA tell about interests.
2. Focus in course will be on diversity of insects.
   1. Insects make up over 70% of all animals on earth in terms of species (probably conservative).
   2. About 800,000 described species, and estimates go up to 30,000,000 actual species.
   3. Only 9000 birds, 4000 mammals.
   4. Diversity difficult to grasp, and it is why we will not go to species level in determinations.
   5. Our goal is to have to give you appreciation for this diversity and some of the biology that goes along with it.
3. Also will cover aspects of biology and ecology of insects.
   1. Includes structure, function, physiology, host relationships, interactions with plants and other organisms.
   2. This will be put in the framework of taxonomy.
4. Important to realize how key taxonomy is.
   1. Provides evolutionary framework for ideas in ecology and other fields.
   2. Allows confident assignment of names - important for work on particular species.
   3. Gives good cross-section of insect life styles and ecologies.
5. Lectures will be about half taxonomic and half biological aspects of insects.
6. Usually about half day planned for lecture or indoor exercise and half planned for field work, including some class projects.
7. Will follow schedule but leave in the possibility of changing due to weather or other needs.
8. Go over syllabus.
   1. Grading.
   2. Quizzes and lab final.
   3. Written mid-term and final.
   4. Collections.
   5. Field notebook.
   6. Supplies you will need.

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