University of Jordan Faculty of Agriculture

University of Jordan

Faculty of Agriculture

Dept. of Plant Protection

First Semester 2004/2005

Course title: Insect Taxonomy

This is a basic course in the principles of insect taxonomy and biology of the most common insects. Emphasis is placed upon identification of adult insects and important aspects of their biology such as life cycles, habitat preference, feeding habits, adaptations to environments, and functions in ecosystems. The student will learn how to collect, preserve, pin, label and identify insects, Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to identify basic morphological characters of adult insects, identify all insect orders on sight, identify common insects to family on sight, and identify most insect families using taxonomic keys and microscope.

1. 
   Knowledge and Understanding:
   

A2) identification of adult insects and important aspects of their biology such as life cycles, habitat preference, feeding habits, adaptations to environments, and functions in ecosystems.

2. 
   Intellectual Skills (Cognitive and Analytical)
   

B2) Recognise the functions of the different insects in nature.

3. 
   Subject Specific Skills:
   

C2) Identify common insects to family level by sight.

C3) Identify many inset families using a microscope and identification keys.

C4) Collecting, pinning, labeling and preserving insects.

4. 
   Transferable Skills:
   

D2) Identify common insect families through the recognition of diagnostic features.

D3) Making traps for collecting insects.
Teaching Methods:

Duration: 16 weeks.

Lectures: 32 hours, 2 per week.

Laboratory: 48 hours, 3 hours per week.

Assigments: A collection of 50 families of insects occuring in Jordan is required.

Teaching Methods
Method	Lectures	Laboratory	Field Study
Objective: Learning outcomes	A1-A2, B1-B2,	C1-4, D1-2	D3
Assessments	Written Exams	Practical Exams	Reports and Assignments

Exams & Evaluation:

1. 
   First Exams (15 points)
   
2. 
   Second Exam (15 points)
   
3. 
   First Lab. Exam (5 points)
   
4. 
   Final Lab. Exam (10 points)
   
5. 
   Insect Collection and Report (15 points)
   
6. 
   Final Exam ( 40 points)
   

Introduction to the world of insects 2hour

Introduction to Insect Taxonomy, History of systematics, definitions 4hours

Modes of speciation, taxonomic procedures, taxonomic publications,

international code of zoological nomenclature, zoogeographic regions

of the world. 2 hours

Classification of the Hexapoda, insect orders and families of.

Protura, Collembola, Diplura, Microcoryphia, Thysanura. 2 hours

Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Grylloblattarla, Phasmida 2 hours

Orthoptera, Mantodea, Mantophasmatodea, Blattaria, Isoptera, 2 hours

Dermaptera, Embiidina, Plecoptera, Zoraptera, Psocoptera 2 hours

Phthiraptera, Hemiptera 2 hours

Homoptera, Thysanura, Neuroptera 2 hours

Coleoptera 4 hours

Strepsiptra, Mechoptera, Siphonaptera 2 hours

Diptera 2 hours

Trichoptera, Lepidoptera 2 hours

Hymenoptera, revision 2 hours

Text Book

References:

Bland. R. G. and H. E. Jaques. 1984. How to know the Insect. The pictured key nature series. Wm. C. Brown Company publishers. Dubuque, Iowa. 409 pp.