Module 1

• View Audio Slide Show *
• Read Syllabus*
• Read Collection Instructions*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #1*
• Post to Discussion BoardPersonal Introduction*
• Submit Homework- It’s Greek To Me*
• Check Out Collecting Equipment*
• Arrange for Test proctor, if necessary

Module 2

• View Audio Slide Show *
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives (PDF)
• Read A Class of Distinction*
• Read Impact of Insects*
• Read Cultural Entomology*
• Read Reasons for Success*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check up #2 *
• Post to Discussion BoardInsect Extinction*
• Submit Homework - Current Events *
• Lab #1 - Meadow Field Trip*

Module 3

• View Audio Slide Show *
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives (PDF)
• Read Evolution and Diversity*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check Up #3*
• Read Class Insecta*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #4*
• Post to Discussion Board - The Paleoptera*
• Submit Homework - Common Names*
• Lab #2 - Spot ID for OrdersAudio Slide Show *
• Review for Quiz #1 : covers Lessons 2 & 3 *
• Mastery tests
• Old quizzes

Module 4

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read The Exoskeleton*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check Up #5 *
• Post to Discussion Board - Jelly Sandwich Analogy*
• Read The Insect’s Head and Antennae*
• Read The Thorax, Legs, Wings, and The Abdomen*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #6*
• Lab #3 - External Anatomy*
• Submit Homework - External Cross-Sections*

Module 5

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives (PDF)
• Read Egg Structure*
• Read Embryogenesis*
• Read Morphogenesis*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #7*
• Submit Homework - Transformers Matching*
• Post to Discussion Board - Adults and Immatures*
• Lab #4 - Forest Field Trip*
• Review for Quiz #2 : covers Lessons 4 & 5*
• Mastery tests
• Old quizzes

Module 6

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read The Endocrine System*
• Read Hormonal Control of Molting and Metamorphosis *
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #8*
• Read Circulatory System*
• Read Respiratory System*
• Read Respiration in Aquatic Insects*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #9*
• Read Digestive and Excretory Systems*
• Read Insect Nutrition*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #10*
• Read Reproductive System*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #11*
• Submit Homework - Internal Cross-Sections*
• Post to Discussion Board - Comparative Physiology*
• Lab #5 - Internal Anatomy*
• Review for Exam I : covers Modules 2-6*
• Mastery tests
• Old Exams

Module 7

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read The Nervous System*
• Read Insect Senses*
• Read Color Vision*
• Post to Discussion Board - Perception*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #12*
• Read Elements of Behavior*
• Read Periodic Behavior*
• Submit Homework - Entrainment Experiment*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #13*
• Read Communication*
• Read Social Insects *
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #14*
• Lab #6 - Aquatic Field Trip*
• Review for Lab Practical I: covers Spot ID to Order, External Anatomy, & Internal Anatomy*

Module 8

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read Trophic Levels*
• Read Survival Strategies*
• Read Insect Defenses*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #15*
• Read Life Tables*
• Read Physiological Time*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #16*
• Submit Homework - Practice Problems*
• Post to Discussion Board - Diversity & Stability*
• Lab #7 - Immatures*
• Review for Quiz 3: covers Module 7*
• Mastery tests
• Old Quizzes

Module 9

• View Audio Slide Show*
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read Insects as Pests*
• Read Economic Injury Level*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #16*
• Submit Homework - Letter to Editor *
• Post to Discussion Board - Pest Mgmt Problem I*
• Lab #8 - Hemimetabola*
• Review for Exam II : covers Modules 7-9 *
• Mastery tests
• Old Exams

Module 10

• View Audio Slide Show *
• Print Topical Outline and Learning Objectives(PDF)
• Read Pest Control Tactics*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #17*
• Read Toxicity*
• Read Labels and Rates*
• Read Managing Resistance*
• Conduct Self-assessment - Check-up #18*
• Submit Homework - Crossword Puzzle*
• Post to Discussion Board - Pest Mgmt Problem II*
• Lab #9 - Holometabola*
• Review for Quiz 4 : covers Modules 9 and 10*
• Mastery tests
• Old Quizzes

In this lab you will examine a preserved grasshopper and learn to recognize and identify the various parts of an insect’s body.

Objectives

The main objectives of this lab are to help you

1. learn to recognize and identify sclerites, sutures, and other external features of an insect’s body
2. correlate structure with function in the legs, wings, and antennae of representative insects
3. distinguish different types of mouthparts and explain how they are adapted for different kinds of food

Materials

You will need the following materials for this lab

• Preserved grasshopper
• Stereoscopic microscope or hand lens
• Scalpel or single-edged razor blade
• Insect pins or dissecting needles
• Small forceps or tweezers

Introduction

Lubber grasshoppers (Romalea microptera) are large, heavily sclerotized insects with relatively unspecialized bodies. Like all members of the order Orthoptera, they are herbivores. Their mouthparts are adapted for biting and chewing, and they have large powerful hind legs used for jumping. As adults, lubber grasshoppers have short wings that are incapable of flight. The wings are used to signal receptivity during courtship.

Your grasshopper is preserved in a mixture of alcohol and glycerin. Rinse it thoroughly in running water before examining it under the microscope or hand lens.

Activities

Gross Anatomy

The insect’s body is divided into three functional regions (tagmata): head, thorax, and abdomen. Appendages of the head include the mouthparts and the antennae. Appendages of the thorax include the legs and the wings.

• Head
• Antennae
• Mouthparts
• Thorax
• Legs
• Front wing
• Hind wing
• Abdomen