introduction to entomology alex latchininsky uw extension entomologist cheyenne, jan. 22, 2007

Introduction to Introduction to EntomologyEntomology

Alex LatchininskyUW Extension Entomologist

Cheyenne, Jan. 22, 2007

HOW MANY INSECT SPECIES HOW MANY INSECT SPECIES ARE THERE IN WYOMING?ARE THERE IN WYOMING?

PROBABLY, BETWEEN 10 AND 15 THOUSANDPROBABLY, BETWEEN 10 AND 15 THOUSAND

COMPARE: TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES OF MAMMALS ON EARTH IS 4,000

© A. Latchininsky 2006

# OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF # OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ORGANISMS ON EARTHORGANISMS ON EARTH

1,500,0001,500,000

Bacteria Bacteria 5,0005,000

FungiFungi 50,00050,000VertebratesVertebrates 44,00044,000

Plants Plants 250,000250,000

InsectsInsects 900,000900,000Other arthropodsOther arthropods 125,000125,000

Strength in numbersStrength in numbers

• Insects outnumber humans Insects outnumber humans at a ratio of 200,000,000 to 1.at a ratio of 200,000,000 to 1.

• There are 40 million insects There are 40 million insects on each acre of landon each acre of land

• In the U.S. the insect In the U.S. the insect biomass is 400 lbs/acre, while biomass is 400 lbs/acre, while the human biomass is onlythe human biomass is only14 lbs/acre14 lbs/acre

WHY ARE THE INSECTS WHY ARE THE INSECTS SO SUCCESSFUL?SO SUCCESSFUL?

• ExoskeletonExoskeleton• Small sizeSmall size• Ability to flyAbility to fly• Reproductive capacityReproductive capacity• Co-evolution with flowering plantsCo-evolution with flowering plants

PESTSPESTS!!

Chewing pests…Chewing pests…

Root Weevil and its damage to peony

© A. Latchininsky 2006© A. Latchininsky 2006

Available on the web and from UW-CES Bulletin Office free of charge

Dee Bixby 766-2115bixbyd@uwyo.edu

Landscaping Tips: about 30 Available from Landscaping Tips: about 30 Available from http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWCES/http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWCES/

Go to “Today’s Highlights”

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Chewing pests…Chewing pests…

Leaf cutter bee and its damage

© A. Latchininsky 2006

This pest sucks!This pest sucks!

Aphids: the gardener’s worst nightmare

Gall-forming and Gall-forming and

leaf-mining leaf-mining pests…pests…

Eriophyoid mite damage to aspen

Liriomyza fly damage to goosefoot

© A. Latchininsky 2006

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Pests cute and cuddly…Pests cute and cuddly…

Weevil

Leaf beetles

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Pests bizarre and ugly…Pests bizarre and ugly…

Spittlebugs

Psyllid nymphs

Root maggot

Fearsome and annoying…Fearsome and annoying…

Sphecid waspSphecid wasp

MosquitoMosquito

Stinging and biting…Stinging and biting…

Paper wasp Bumble bee

© A. Latchininsky 2006© A. Latchininsky 2006

Scary bugsScary bugs

Crane fly (does not bite)

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Bugs in the systemBugs in the systemor Ecological functions of insectsor Ecological functions of insects

Tachinid fly Mud dauber wasp

PollinationPollination© A. Latchininsky 2006© A. Latchininsky 2006

DecompositionDecomposition

Dung beetles

DecompositionDecomposition

Blow fliesBlow fliesCockroachCockroach

Food chainFood chain

Mosquito larvae and pupae Praying mantis

Food chainFood chain

Ants and caterpillar

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Food chainFood chain

Food chainFood chain

Spider-hunting wasp…Spider-hunting wasp… and bee-hunting spiderand bee-hunting spider

Are all bugs evil?Are all bugs evil?

Scorpion fly (does not bite)Scorpion fly (does not bite)

A few A few goodgood bugs for a change bugs for a change

Larva

Lady beetles are effective aphid killers

Green lacewing - Another aphid hunter

Adult

LarvaEgg

And one more aphid hunter

Flower (syrphid) flies

Larva

Adult

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Dragonfly: Dragonfly: A mosquito A mosquito

killer…killer…

Adult

Larva (aquatic)

© A. Latchininsky 2006

……or a butterfly assassin?or a butterfly assassin?

Swallowtail butterflies Swallowtail butterflies

Larvae can be pests of carrots and other Apiaceae

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Is it hard to love a fly?Is it hard to love a fly?

Tachinid fly – parasitoid of many pests

Robber fly – predator

Both are beneficial!

© A. Latchininsky 2006

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Can this world survive without Can this world survive without insects?insects?

Tiger beetle – beneficial predator© A. Latchininsky 2006

© Bobbie Holder 2006

American carrion beetle – American carrion beetle – endangered speciesendangered species

Peaceful coexistence with Peaceful coexistence with insects?..insects?..

Earwig

Tiger beetle

© A. Latchininsky 2006

History lessonHistory lesson

Paper wasp invented and used paper well before the humans

Want to learn more about good and bad bugs?Want to learn more about good and bad bugs?

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Come catch the Entomology Short Course, 2007

What will be covered? General Entomology, Insect Identification, Arachnids, Biological Control, Tree pests, Mosquitoes, and more.

When is it? The class will be held on February 6th, 7th, and 8th (T,W,TR), 2007. We will begin at 1 PM on the first day, go from 8 to 5 the second day and release you at noon on the third day.

Where is it? College of Agriculture Building, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.

Who teaches it? Dr. Alex Latchininsky & Scott Schell, UW-CES Extension Entomologists. Plus guest lectures by other experts in their fields.You will get two books, a course packet, a certificate, and a lot of fun for as little as a $75. Class size is limited to 25!

UW Entomology Short Course 2006

© A. Latchininsky 2006

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Enjoy the class tonight!Enjoy the class tonight!