Insect Ecology

biol 365 - Great Lakes - May Session

Ecology, systematics, life history and behavior of terrestrial and aquatic insects with an emphasis on field identification skills while exploring a variety of local habitats and considering the roles of insects in pollination, decomposition, herbivory, predation and pathogen transmission. The use of insects in citizen science is explored, including participation in the MiCorps stream monitoring program that provides familiarity with stream sampling and macroinvertebrate communities. (4 credits)

Field, Applied

Professor: Dr. David Hoekman

Knowledge Gained

Appreciate the phenomenal breadth of insect taxonomy and know the major orders and representative examples

Communicate the importance of insects as selective, stabilizing and potentially destructive components of ecosystems

Know the basic anatomy and physiology of insects

Comprehend ecological concepts / principles at the physiological, population, community and ecosystem levels

Skills developed

Learning to recognize a wide variety of insect Orders and Families

Sampling techniques for insects in aquatic and terrestrial settings

Microscope proficiency and insect identification

Familiarity with field biology

Use of waders and aquatic sampling equipment

Field Experiences

Au Sable Campus

Hartwick Pines State Park

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Pickerel Lake

Grass River Natural Area

Arcadia Dunes

Jordan River Valley

Au Sable River

Manistee River

Lost Lake

Bear Lake Bog