Entomology (Insects)
Introduction:
Insects are the most diverse and numerous type of animal on earth. So they undoubtedly can cause problems on plants, both indoor and out. But did you know, the vast majority are either beneficial or harmless? Insects are responsible for many important jobs in the landscape that benefit people, including pollinating most flowers, decomposing and nutrient recycling, feeding on other insects, and providing food for other animals. This module will describe the beneficial and problematic qualities of insects. As you read through the material and watch the videos, what is your experience with insects? Can you find ways they benefit the ecosystem? In what ways have they caused problems for you?
Objectives:
After completing the reading in the manual, online module, and class activities, you will:
- Explain why knowing an insect’s life cycle is important in IPM;
- Identify the type of insect mouth part by the damage caused (chewing, sucking);
- Describe the functions of beneficial insects;
- Identify the characteristics of insect pests.
Read:
Watch:
- Presenter: Susan Mahr, former UW-Madison Statewide Master Gardener Program Coordinator.
- FYI: These videos were created for Master Gardener Volunteer Training and are used with permission for Foundations in Horticulture.
- There are three required videos, for a total view time of approximately 35 minutes.
Practice:
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Supplemental Materials:
Common insect pests in Wisconsin found on pages 99-102 in Chapter 5 of the manual.
UW-Madison Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab – The University of Wisconsin Insect Diagnostic Lab provides timely and accurate identification of insects, insect-damaged materials, spiders, and other arthropods from around Wisconsin. The lab typically processes ~2,500 samples each year.
Additional Videos: There are two additional videos that you can choose to watch for this module: