Course Description. The World of 6-Legged Creatures . Insects rule the earth. They are the most diverse and widespread group of animals on this planet occupying every habitat but the oceans. Insects contain more species than all other animal groups combined: some can sing (Jiminy Cricket), some can dance (the “waggle dance” of honey bees), and others light up the summer sky (lightning bugs). In this course, we will study the biochemical, molecular, cellular, developmental, organismal, population, and evolutionary forces that have allowed insects to become so successful. We will come to understand how the insect body plan and its underlying genome have allowed these animals to evolve into so many different types of extreme specialists. We will also emphasize the myriad ways in which insects currently affect the lives of humans in terms of disease, agriculture, and the environment.

Instructors: Matt Ayres and Ed Berger, Department of Biological Sciences

Schedule: Fall 2007, 2009.