Introduction to Applied Entomology
About the Course Instructors Syllabus Insect Collection Grades

Optional, Extra-credit
Insect Collection

Crop Sciences 270:
Introduction to Applied Entomology
(Also IB 220 and NRES 270)
University of Illinois

Rick Weinzierl, Professor
Linnea Meier, Teaching Assistant

Making an insect collection is an optional, extra-credit opportunity that can add up to 100 points to your cumulative total used to calculate your final grade.  If you choose to complete this assignment, your collection, along with the equipment we check out to you at the beginning of the semester, must be turned in by Friday, October 28, 2015.

Pages 3-24 of your textbook, How to Know the Insects (Third Edition) by R.G. Bland and H.E. Jaques, provides instructions on collecting and preserving insects. Use this information and handouts provided by the instructor for labeling and organizing your collection.

Good places to collect include ... south farms, the U of I Arboretum, and Crystal Lake Park. You will receive directions to these and other places in late August. Don't forget to look: under rocks and logs, in soil (you can use a Berlese funnel to extract the insects and other invertebrates), in leaf litter, in basements and bathrooms, and around lights. Think small!!! You will be able to do some collecting during labs 2 and 3.

Grading:

To earn any credit for your collection, you must turn in at least 35 different species of insects, each with a data label and identified to order according to the instructions provided.  Up to 10 of these may be in alcohol in vials, the others must be pinned or pointed. 

  • correctly identified orders, 2 points each for the first 10, for 20 possible points
  • additional correctly identified orders, 3 points each, to a maximum of 15 additional points
  • correctly identified families, 0.5 point each for the first 20, for 10 possible points
  • additional correctly identified families, 1 point each, to a maximum of 15 additional points
  • number of species included, 0.5 points each for the first 30, for 15 possible points
  • additional species, 1 point each, to a maximum of 15 additional points
  • QUALITY OF CURATION: 10 points. Good curation includes the condition of the specimens, collection data, and correct label format.

See the examples of good collections provided in the lab!!!

Introduction to Applied Entomology
About the Course - Instructors - Syllabus - Insect Collection - Grades
University of Illinois - Department of Crop Sciences - Integrated Pest Management

If you find any problems with this page, please notify Rick Weinzierl, weinzier@illinois.edu.