Taught by D.A. Potter
Horticultural Entomology (ENT 320). 3
credit hours, Fall semester each year. This course emphasizes the biology,
diagnosis, and management of insects and mites attacking turfgrass, woody
ornamentals, greenhouse crops, vegetables and fruits. Household pests
also are briefly covered. After completing the course, studnets will
be skilled at recognizing insect problems in the urban landscape, and know
how to resolve them in a safe and responsible manner. The course
also provides an introduction to insect biology, understanding and safe
use of insecticides, biological and cultural control, plant
resistance, and integrated pest management.
Lecture topics are complemented with weekly, indoor and outdoor laboratory
sessions and field trips. ENT 320 is aimed at students in Horticulture,
Agronomy, Entomology, or other agriculture-related fields. Donovan
Scholars, Master Gardeners, or other nontraditional students are welcome.
There are no formal prerequisites, although an understanding of the fundamentals
of college-level biology is assumed. The course is taught at a level suitable
for students without prior entomological training.
Insect-Plant Relationships (ENT/BIO 625).3 credit hours, Spring semester of odd-numbered years. This graduate-level course provides an overview of current ideas, controversies, and research on insect-plant relationships. Processes that underlie patterns of interaction between plants and insects are of great interest to ecologists and evolutionary biologists, and have important implications for agriculture and forestry. Students explore the mechanisms and evolution of plant defenses and insect counteradaptations, behavioral ecology plant-feeding insects, multitrophic-level interactions, pollination biology, causes of insect outbreaks, and applications to managed ecosystems. The course is taught by a combination of conventional and Socratic methods. Tuesday lectures provide background information, outlining major concepts and theory. Thursday session are devoted to critical discussion of historically significant papers, key controversies, and current literature. We begin with a historical overview and then continue through insect dietary requirements, plant defenses, insect counteradaptations, sensory physiology and learning as they relate to food choice, tritrophic level interactions, induced defense, community ecology, pollination biology, coevolution, and practical implications of insect-plant interactions. Students will read landmark papers and become familiar with scientists whose work stands out in this dynamic field. The course encourages critical evaluation of scientific literature, discussion, and individual thought.