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