Insect Biology

Introducing your 2019 TAs: Jaime & Asim. #bisc317

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

You’ve found it! The BISC 317 twitter page! Congrats!!!

[Laurie🌍 @LaurieLuckritz]

Believe it or not this is a real caterpillar breathing. #natureyoucrazy

[Asim Renyard @AsimRenyard]

The 1st chapter of my PhD thesis was published today in the Journal of Chemical Ecology! We identify the trail pheromone in carpenter ants (C. modoc), and find it also attracts them over distance, showing an uncommon dual function of the pheromone! https://t.co/OHqazZJElt

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

This weeks lab has a difficult feature to recognize, but thankfully @Myrmecos made a handy post that will help locate the pronotal lobe!

https://t.co/ezpuWy0Jja

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

That would be a fun one to ID, eh students?

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Lastly there are two main types of wing coupling. The hamuli in Hymenoptera and frenulum/retinaculum system in Lepidoptera. (Credit: Dr. Mamta Joshi)

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Many students asked questions regarding the wing coupling and specializations in lab 3. First up, modified forewings!
(Credit: Carlos Shira)

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Flies have modified hindwings called halteres.

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Tip 1: don't forget that lab 1 is testable material! Be sure to review the methods on how to properly kill, preserve, pin and label specimens.

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Attention. Study tips incoming!

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Another fun way to use your pinned specimens!

[Isa Betancourt 🦋🕷🌎 @isabetabug]

Before & after.
Now I set them aside so the wings may dry in place.
Normally, I do this for specimens I plan to add to the scientific collection...

These, however, are going on my wedding cake in two weeks!🦋

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Be sure to hunt for these around dusk!

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Winged termites are flying in the evening for the next couple weeks! Catch one if you can, they are easier to ID than worker termites.

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Many orders are easier to find during sunny weather. Be sure to take advantage of the remaining days of summer!

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Finally, don’t forget about mimicry! Insects are designed to fool us sometimes- always check for key characters to make sure you are right

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

Comin in hot! Tips for your final lab exam!!!

[Insect Biology @bisc317]

An important character for lacewings are the costal cross veins! If they are forked, you have Hemerobiidae, and if they are simple, you have Chrysopidae. Only look at the costal cross veins- there are plenty of forked veins elsewhere.