Introduction to Entomology Cheyenne Jan 22 2007 Alex

Introduction to Entomology Cheyenne, Jan. 22, 2007 Alex Latchininsky UW Extension Entomologist

HOW MANY INSECT SPECIES ARE THERE IN WYOMING? PROBABLY, BETWEEN 10 AND 15 THOUSAND COMPARE: TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES OF MAMMALS ON EARTH IS 4, 000 © A. Latchininsky 2006

# OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ORGANISMS ON EARTH 1, 500, 000 Bacteria 5, 000 Fungi Vertebrates 50, 000 44, 000 Plants 250, 000 Insects 900, 000 Other arthropods 125, 000

Strength in numbers • Insects outnumber humans at a ratio of 200, 000 to 1. • There are 40 million insects on each acre of land • In the U. S. the insect biomass is 400 lbs/acre, while the human biomass is only 14 lbs/acre

WHY ARE THE INSECTS SO SUCCESSFUL? • Exoskeleton • Small size • Ability to fly • Reproductive capacity • Co-evolution with flowering plants

PESTS!

Chewing pests… Root Weevil and its damage to peony © A. Latchininsky 2006

Available on the web and from UW-CES Bulletin Office free of charge Dee Bixby 766 -2115 bixbyd@uwyo. edu

Landscaping Tips: about 30 Available from http: //uwadmnweb. uwyo. edu/UWCES/ Go to “Today’s Highlights” © A. Latchininsky 2006

Chewing pests… © A. Latchininsky 2006 Leaf cutter bee and its damage

This pest sucks! Aphids: the gardener’s worst nightmare

Gall-forming and leaf-mining pests… © A. Latchininsky 2006 Eriophyoid mite damage to aspen © A. Latchininsky 2006 Liriomyza fly damage to goosefoot

Pests cute and cuddly… © A. Latchininsky 2006 Weevil Leaf beetles

Pests bizarre and ugly… Psyllid nymphs Spittlebugs Root maggot

Fearsome and annoying… Sphecid wasp Mosquito

Stinging and biting… © A. Latchininsky 2006 Paper wasp © A. Latchininsky 2006 Bumble bee

Scary bugs Crane fly (does not bite)

© A. Latchininsky 2006

Bugs in the system or Ecological functions of insects Tachinid fly © A. Latchininsky 2006 Mud dauber wasp Pollination © A. Latchininsky 2006

Decomposition Dung beetles

Decomposition Cockroach Blow flies

Food chain Mosquito larvae and pupae Praying mantis

Food chain Ants and caterpillar © A. Latchininsky 2006

Food chain

Food chain Spider-hunting wasp… and bee-hunting spider

Are all bugs evil? Scorpion fly (does not bite)

A few good bugs for a change Larva Lady beetles are effective aphid killers

Green lacewing - Another aphid hunter Egg Larva Adult

And one more aphid hunter Adult Larva Flower (syrphid) flies © A. Latchininsky 2006

Adult Larva (aquatic) Dragonfly: A mosquito killer… © A. Latchininsky 2006

…or a butterfly assassin?

Swallowtail butterflies © A. Latchininsky 2006 Larvae can be pests of carrots and other Apiaceae

Is it hard to love a fly? © A. Latchininsky 2006 Tachinid fly – parasitoid of many pests © A. Latchininsky 2006 Robber fly – predator Both are beneficial!

Can this world survive without insects? Tiger beetle – beneficial predator © A. Latchininsky 2006

© Bobbie Holder 2006

American carrion beetle – endangered species

Peaceful coexistence with insects? . . Tiger beetle Earwig © A. Latchininsky 2006

History lesson Paper wasp invented and used paper well before the humans

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 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th (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

Enjoy the class tonight! © A. Latchininsky 2006