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

2. 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

3. # OF DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ORGANISMS ON EARTH 1,500,000 Bacteria 5,000 Fungi50,000 Vertebrates44,000 Plants 250,000 Insects900,000 Other arthropods125,000

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

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

6. PESTS !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. Pests bizarre and ugly… Spittlebugs Psyllid nymphs Root maggot

15. Fearsome and annoying… Sphecid wasp Mosquito

16. Stinging and biting… Paper waspBumble bee © A. Latchininsky 2006

17. Scary bugs Crane fly (does not bite)

18. © A. Latchininsky 2006

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

20. Decomposition Dung beetles

21. Decomposition Blow flies Cockroach

22. Food chain Mosquito larvae and pupaePraying mantis

23. Food chain Ants and caterpillar © A. Latchininsky 2006

24. Food chain

25. Spider-hunting wasp…and bee-hunting spider Spider-hunting wasp…and bee-hunting spider

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

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

28. Green lacewing - Another aphid hunter Adult LarvaEgg

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

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

31. …or a butterfly assassin?

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

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

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

35. © Bobbie Holder 2006

36. American carrion beetle – endangered species

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

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

39. Want to learn more about good and bad bugs? © A. Latchininsky 2006

40. 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 6th, 7th, 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!

41. UW Entomology Short Course 2006 © A. Latchininsky 2006

42. Enjoy the class tonight!