Objectives and competences
Present foundation of insect body organization
Present the role of insects in economy and natural habitats
Present and understand insect biodiversity
Praktical skills in insect determination
Content (Syllabus outline)
Selected topics:
Skin: epidermis, cuticle, pigmentation (coloration based on the structure; pigments), skin glands.
Segmentation: the head, thorax, abdomen. Feeding and digestion. Water content, osmoregulation, excretion. Tracheal system and respiration. Hemolymph and transport. Nervous system. Learning and memory. Sensory receptors. Movement and sensomotory integration. Endocrine system. Reproduction and development. Social insects. Insects and plants. Entomophagous insects. Bioluminescence. Insects and microbes. Medical entomology. A review of insect orders.
Learning and teaching methods
Lectures
Laboratory exercises – individual
experimental practice
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- explain fundamentals of the insect ‘Bauplan’;
- understand and explain complex role of insects in ecosystems;
- compare holometabolous and hemimetabolous insects and explain advantages of the two strategies;
- identify insects to the order level and define taxonomic features of the orders.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Ability to arrange simple experiments on insects
Determination – usage keys for determination
Dissection of insect body
Readings
Temeljna literatura / Basic:
Gullan P.J., P.S. Cranston, 2015: The Insects: An Outline of Entomology 5th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK.
Jurc, M., 2011, Gozdna zoologija : [univerzitetni učbenik] [na spletu]. Univerzitetni, visokošolski ali višješolski učbenik z recenzijo. Ljubljana : Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za gozdarstvo in obnovljive gozdne vire.
Priporočena literatura / Recommended:
Chapman R.F., S. J. Simpson, A. E. Douglas, 2012: The insects. Structure and function. 4th Edition. Cambridge University Press, London.
Schowalter, T. D., 2016: Insect ecology. An ecosystem approach. 4th ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Wermelinger, B., 2017: Insekten im Wald – Vielfalt, Funktionen und Bedeutung.
Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf; Haupt, Bern.
Additional information on implementation and assessment 2 partial exams of experimental practice 50%
Written exam 50 %
Partial exams are a prerequisite for taking the exam.
