ENT-54306 Insect Ecology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

PEN-10503 Ecology I.

Continuation courses:

Other courses in the BSc minor Applied Ecology and Durable Management of Insects and ENT-30306 Ecological Aspects of Bio-interactions; PHP-30806 Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactions.

Contents:

This course addresses the ecology of insects with an emphasis on biological traits that are characteristic for insects. Main topics are:
- adaptation to extreme environmental conditions, diapause and migration;
- evolution of life-histories, r and K strategies, selection on life-history components in the context of lifetime fitness;
- population genetics of insects;
- behavioural ecology of insects;
- parasitoid lifestyle, optimal foraging, host selection, offspring allocation strategies;
- population dynamics, especially of parasitoid-host interactions;
- diversity and stability in insect communities;
- mutualism in insect ecology, pollination, insect-microbe mutualism;
- genetics and reproduction: haplodiploidy, sex allocation strategies, sib-mating, evolution of clutch size.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate insight into the ecology of insects in the context of the unique biological features characteristic of insects;
- recognize state-of-the-art scientific advances in the behaviour, ecological genetics, life-history evolution, reproduction and adaptation to extreme environmental conditions of insects;
- apply ecological principles to the specific biology of insects;
- carry out experiments to investigate ecological questions related to insects.

Activities:

- lectures;
- experiments addressing the life-history and searching behaviour of insects;
- writing a report that incorporates knowledge from recent literature in the field of insect ecology.

Examination:

The examination is based on a written exam, the report on the experimental work, including discussion of literature and on the performance in the practical.

Literature:

Literature that covers the lectures content will be provided on Blackboard.