Lecture Schedule*
| Jan. 15 |
Course overview. Introduction to aquatic insects. [Ch. 1-3] |
| Jan. 17 |
Insect diversity and success. [Ch. 2] |
| Jan. 22 |
Basic insect morphology. [Ch. 2] |
| Jan. 24 |
Ecological classification of freshwater habitats I. [Ch. 6] |
| Jan. 29 |
Ecological classification of freshwater habitats II. |
| Jan. 31 |
Ecological classification of freshwater habitats III (incl. RCC) |
| Feb. 5 |
Adaptations of insects to freshwater habitats: introduction [Ch. 4, 5]. |
| Feb. 7 |
Respiration in aquatic & semi-aquatic insects; marine habitats. |
| Feb. 12 |
Adaptations to flowing water / Hydrodynamics. |
| Feb. 14 |
LECTURE EXAM #1 |
| Feb. 19 |
NO CLASS. |
| Feb. 21 |
Insect taxonomy I: Nomenclature |
| Feb. 26 |
Insect taxonomy II: Phylogeny [Ch. 8, 9] |
| Feb. 28 |
Order Collembola (springtails). [Ch. 10] |
| Mar. 5 |
Order Ephemeroptera (mayflies). [Ch. 11] |
| Mar. 7 |
Order Odonata (dragonflies & damselflies). [Ch. 12] |
| Mar. 12 |
Order Plecoptera (stoneflies). [Ch. 14] |
| Mar. 14 |
Order Hemiptera (aquatic bugs). [Ch. 15] |
| Mar. 19/21 |
SPRING BREAK (southern Appalachians) |
| Mar. 26 |
LECTURE EXAM #2 |
| Mar. 28 |
Orders Megaloptera (salmonflies, alderflies), Neuroptera (spongillaflies). [Ch. 16] |
| Apr. 2 |
Order Coleoptera (beetles). [Ch. 20] |
| Apr. 4 |
Orders Lepidoptera (moths), Trichoptera (caddisflies). [Ch. 17-19] |
| Apr. 9/11 |
Order Diptera (true flies). [Ch. 22] |
| Apr. 16/18 |
Special topics: TBA. |
| Apr. 23/25 |
Special topics: TBA. |
| Apr. 30/May 2 |
Special topics: TBA. |
| May 6-10 |
FINALS WEEK |
Laboratory Schedule*
| Jan. 18 |
Introduction to insect orders. Collecting & rearing aquatic insects. [Ch. 3, 9] |
| Jan. 25 |
Orders Collembola (springtails). Odonata (dragonflies & damselflies). [Ch. 10, 12] |
| Feb. 1 |
Order Ephemeroptera (mayflies). [Ch. 11] |
| Feb. 8 |
LAB EXAM #1 (through mayflies); work on collections. |
| Feb. 15 |
Order Plecoptera (stoneflies). [Ch. 14] |
| Feb. 22 |
Order Hemiptera (true bugs). [Ch. 15] |
| Mar. 1 |
Minor Orders: Megaloptera (salmonflies & alderflies), Neuroptera (spongillaflies), Lepidoptera (moths). [Ch. 16, 19] |
| Mar. 8 |
LAB EXAM #2 (stoneflies to minor orders); work on collections. |
| Mar. 15 |
Order Coleoptera (beetles). [Ch. 20] |
| Mar. 22 |
SPRING BREAK** |
| Mar. 29 |
Orders Trichoptera (caddisflies). [Ch. 17, 18] |
| Apr. 5 |
LAB EXAM #3 (beetles & caddisflies); work on collections. |
| Apr. 12 |
Order Diptera (true flies). [Ch. 22] |
| Apr. 19 |
Order Diptera (ctd.). |
| Apr. 26 |
Open lab (work on collections, review for lab final); COLLECTIONS DUE. |
| May 3 |
FINAL EXAM. |
* Chapter assignments refer to Merritt, R.W., K.W. Cummins & M.B. Berg (eds). 2008. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (Fourth Edition). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, IA.
** An optional field trip to the southern Appalachian Mountains is scheduled for Spring Break. A weekend field trip will be scheduled for NE Iowa (probably in late March or early April). Additional trips to local habitats also will be scheduled. Although optional, you are urged to participate in at least one trip, as these will provide the best opportunity to collect insects for your collections.
