The Insect Collection:
Each student will complete an arthropod collection focusing on insects. Alternatives to a collection need to be approved by the instructor. Each collection will have at least 100 species identified to family with representative specimens for at least 13 different orders of hexapods. Additionaly, spiders may be included as one of these orders. Only 10% of the collection may include other arthropod specimens. i.e. scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, isopods and so on. Each specimen must be correctly prepared, labeled, and in good condition. The collection must be neat and adhere to the instructions in the textbook and lab manual.
Collecting Techniques
For information regarding collecting methods, proper preservation and processing techniques, please review chapter 35 in your text book, C. A. Triplehorn and N. F. Johnson. 2005 Borror and DeLong’s Introduction to the Study of Insects. 7th ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont CA.
Don’t Procrastinate!
The collection is very time consuming and seems to be the major impediment in completing the course. To avoid a lot of stress trying to find enough insects to complete your collection, it is imperative to start early. If you are already enrolled in the class, you should start collecting insects NOW!
Where can I find bugs?
Insects can be found just about anywhere at any time however, there are times when collecting can be difficult. The best times for collecting are after a rain storm when the weather is humid and the ground is damp, such as summer monsoons. For starters see the Special Project Study Areas, where you can obtain extra points for deleloping a specialized research collection. There will be additional collecting field trips throughout the semester. Arthropods will be difficult to find after September, due to cold, thus it is important to collect as many insects as you can early in the semester. If you have started late, then you may have to travel further south where the climate is still a bit warmer.
Points & Grading
Insect collection or Replacement Project will be 20 points total.
Points are given based on:
- Organization and associated habitat information
- Appropriate labeling i.e. locality, date, collector and direction
- Correctly pinned specimens. i.e. moths spread, small insects on points, aquatics, larvae and non insects in ethanol
- Correct ID’s on Hexapod families
When does the Collection get Graded??
Preveiw: To ensure that students are getting a good start in properly developing their collections we will require that collections be submitted early in the sememster as well as at the end of the semester. Requiring an early preview ensures that adequate progress is being made with regard to correct pinning, pointing, spreading, labeling and preservation techniques. Students will need to submit their collection for this early review on September 24 & 25. Students are not required to provide identifications for the preview. The preview grade will be worth 5 points of the total 20 points allotted for the completed insect collection. Students must turn in at least 15 specimens: 5 small insect specimens on points, 5 pinned (one must be a Coleopteran), 2 spread winged specimens (Lepidoptera) and 3 specimens in alcohol (alcohol specimens include most aquatic insects (nyads), all larvae and non insects such as arachnids and myrapods.
Points will be deducted for improper curation. However, you can get all 5 points back if corrections are made when you submit your final collection. If you do not submit anything, then 5 points will be deducted with no opportunity to regain them back in your final collection even if you have met all requirements in your final collection.
Final: The final collection must be turned in at the last lab. Students will be graded for overall curation techniques as well as identifications. Students are encouraged to submit collections for review at any time during the semester without the pressure of being graded. |
