LORD's lectures

Question 1

Describe the steps to use the microscope.

Answer 1

1 - Adjust the ocular distance of the eyepieces to match the same distance between your eyes.
2 - Make sure the scope is at its lowest magnification.
3 - Determine which of your eyes is the dominant one if you do not already know.
4 - Close your non-dominant eye and adjust the focus on the eyepiece until the object is in focus with your dominant eye.
5 - Repeat step 4, but closing your dominant eye and adjusting the eyepiece focus for your non-dominant eye.
6 - Fine-tune eyepiece focus by repeating steps 4 and 5 at maximum magnification.

Question 2

What are the antennae types?

Answer 2

a - Filiform
b - Moniliform
c - Clavate
d - Serrate
e - Pectinate
f - Flabellate
g - Geniculate
h - Plumose
i - Aristate

Question 3

Leg types and function.

Answer 3

1 - Gressorial: walking (walking sticks)
2 - Cursorial: running (cockroaches)
3 - Saltatorial: jumping (grasshoppers)
4 - Fossorial: digging (mole crickets)
5 - Raptorial: seizing prey (praying mantises)
6 - Natatorial: swimming (aquatic bugs)

Question 4

Discuss the characteristics of the order Coleoptera.

Answer 4

Chewing mouthparts.
Variable types of antennae.
Holometaboly.
Elytra. Membranous hindwings. 
Largest order (40% of all insects).

Question 5

Discuss the characteristics of the order Diptera.

Answer 5

Sponging/Piercing mouthparts with haustellate.
Filiform or aristate antennae.
Holometaboly.
One pair of frontwings; hindwings reduced into halteres.
Second largest order. Incredibly good fliers.

Question 6

Discuss the characteristics of the order Lepidoptera.

Answer 6

Mouthparts with proboscis.
Long, filiform antennae in moths. Clubbed antennae in butterflies (clavate).
Holometaboly.
Front and hindwings linked by a frenulum. Wings move up and down in syncrony.

Question 7

Discuss the characteristics of the order Hymenoptera.

Answer 7

Chewing mouthparts.
Antennae vary greatly in form.
Holometaboly.
Hindwings smaller than frontwings, connected by hamuli.
Ants have geniculate antennae.
Females can control the sex ratio of the colony.

Question 8

Discuss the characteristics of the order Hemiptera.

Answer 8

Mouthparts piercing/sucking with beak (haustellate).
Diverse types of antennae.
Hemimetaboly.
Hemelytra (half leathery/half membranous).
Different types of reproduction.

Question 9

Discuss the characteristics of the order Blattodea.

Answer 9

Chewing mouthparts.
Antennae filiform.
Hemimetaboly.
Fronwings thickened; hindwings membranous, pleated.

Question 10

Discuss the characteristics of the order Phasmatodea.

Answer 10

Chewing mouthparts.
Long filiform antennae.
Hemimetaboly.
Wings reduced (apterous) or absent (brachypterous).

Question 11

Discuss the characteristics of the order Orthoptera.

Answer 11

Chewing mouthparts.
Antennae filiform.
Hemimetaboly.
Leathery, folding wings.

Question 12

Discuss the characteristics of the order Ephemeroptera.

Answer 12

Vestigial mouthparts (absent) or chewing, if present.
Short aristate antennae.
Hemimetaboly.
Membranous, fixed wings.
Mayflies undergo metamorphosis a second time after gaining functional wings.

Question 13

Discuss the characteristics of the order Odonata.

Answer 13

Chewing mouthparts.
Small aristate antennae. 
Hemimetaboly.
Membranous wings. Direct flight.
Mouthparts adapted for biting. Efficient hunters.

Question 14

What are the components of insect wings?

Answer 14

Insect wings are composed of veins and membranes. Veins are composed of nerve, tracheae, and hemolymph. Membranes are composed of two thin layers (dorsal and ventral) of integument.

Question 15

Cite one important component of wing folding in insects.

Answer 15

Axillary sclerites.