Insect Identification & Taxonomy (BIOL3232)

Course overview

A remote delivery (distance education) course that addresses the identification and classification of insects, the most species-rich component of terrestrial ecosystems. The course will cover the recognition of insects orders and the identification of specimens to family level using different types of keys and resources. A number of specific topics will be explored including: morphological and biological characteristics of the major insect orders; life histories of selected pest and beneficial species, sociality, sound production methods and functions, feeding mechanisms, adaptations and biology of vertebrate ectoparasites, insects as disease vectors of plants and animals, mimicry and defensive adaptations and parasitism.
The practical component will examine collecting techniques, identification of adult insects to family level, identification of immature stages and feeding damage. A requirement of the course is the presentation of a well-curated insect collection and attendance at a compulsory residential course.

Insects are ﾠthe most species-rich component of terrestrial ecosystems, and also a major component of freshwater aquatic systems. ﾠSome insects are important indicators of environment health, but othersﾠare increasingly important as biosecurity risks for agriculture, horticulture, livestock production, natural ecosystems and quality of life for humans. Taxonomy and insect identification underpinﾠconservation efforts,ﾠbiosecurity monitoring and insect population control.

This course is primarily concerned with the identification and classification of insects, along with relevant life-history and behavioural information.ﾠ

The course begins with modules on classification and recognition of insect orders: this will be a recap for some students but it is a very important first skill ﾠunderpinning ﾠthe use of keys and guides to identify insects to levels that are useful for real-world applications or meaningful citizen-science projects. ﾠLater modules cover specific families within each order and the key features used to differentiate families or lower taxonomic levels. Specific topics covered include: morphological and biological characteristics of major insect families, ﾠlife histories of selected pest and beneficial species, ﾠfeeding mechanisms, adaptations and biology of vertebrate ectoparasites, insects as disease vectors of plants and animals, mimicry and defensive adaptations and parasitism.

We will cover the five main skills used for identifying insects: image databases and guides (such as PaDIL and field guides), dichotomous keys, multi-entry keys, image recognition (artificial intelligence) and DNA barcoding. At satisfactory completion of the course you will be able to identify almost any insect to the family level, ants to genus level, and butterflies and some other insect groups to species level (when keys or guides are available). ﾠThese skills are sought after forﾠ citizen-science projects, and jobs inﾠ biodiversity surveying,ﾠ biosecurity (including border force) and agricultural systems.ﾠ

The practical component will cover collecting techniques, identification of adult insects to family, ﾠgenus or species level, identification of immature stages and feeding damage. A requirement of the course is the presentation of a well-curated insect collection, either physical or digital or mixed.ﾠ

The course is mostly online but there is an "intensive" week from 20-24 ﾠJanuary 2025 ﾠfor those enrolled in internal modIfe. If enrolled in internal mode, you will be required to attendﾠ face-to-face duringﾠ "intensive week". ﾠBecause summer semester is shorter than other semesters, the work-load per week is greater than Semesters 1 and 2 but the total number of hours is the same. The overall workload is about 120–130 hours.

There will be several other opportunities for face-to-face interactions ﾠfor those in both internal and external modes–see the learning activities.ﾠ

Optional overnight field trip

An optional field trip has been arranged for 12-13 December 2024 (Thursday and Friday) at Hidden Vale in the Lockyer Valley. It will be ﾠan excellent opportunity to collect or photograph insects for your assessed collection—most other places ﾠyou need a permit for collecting. You will need to make your own way there, and take your own gear and food if staying overnight. There will be more details on the course website at the start of the course.

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Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ENTM3001

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Most course work is done at your own pace (with assessment deadlines interspersed) but there is an online tutorial via Zoom each week that you are expected to attend, and another Zoom time set aside for optional question time. There will also be optional face-to-face practical tutorials in December (see learning activities) and an optional field trip.

Aims and outcomes

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1. to introduce students to the biology and classification of insects at family level, including species of environmental and economic importance.

2. to explore current theories in insect biology which attempt to explain the origins, functions and ecological significance of mimicry, sociality, defence strategies and parasitism;

3. to develop skills required to properly collect, curate and identify insects, and to identify the damage they cause to plants.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Weekly quizzes

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20% each quiz is part of 20% overall

Due date

25/11/2024 - 4/12/2024

2/12/2024 - 11/12/2024

9/12/2024 - 18/12/2024

16/12/2024 - 2/01/2025

2/01/2025 - 8/01/2025

6/01/2025 - 15/01/2025

13/01/2025 - 22/01/2025

to be completed by 2 pm (AEST, = Brisbane time) on the due date

Other conditions

Student specific, Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Completed online via the course website in Learn.UQ

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Main Insect Collection

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Project

Weight

35%

Due date

24/01/2025 12:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Physical insect collections are to be handed in during class in intensive week, or posted to UQ with a receipt by the due date and time. Digital collections are to be submitted via the Turnitin link that will appear in the Assessments menu, by the due date and time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final exam—open book

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

30%

Due date

24/01/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

For internal students:

If choosing the paper copy, complete the exam and submit paper to course coordinator at the due time

If choosing to complete the digital form, download the Word document, complete it, and upload to Turnitin at the due time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Must be submitted by the due date and time. See exam paper for specific upload/submission time information.

mid-semester exam (check point)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

15%

Due date

17/12/2024 4:00 pm

To be held during tutorial time.

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Submit through Turnitin link in the course assessments folder.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Must be submitted by the due date and time. See exam paper for specific upload/submission time information.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Students are required to get a mark of at least 50% in the final exam, and a mark of at least 50% overall to pass the course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENTS

If you are awarded supplementary assessment then generally the supplementary assessment will be equivalent to the failed assessment piece. For example, If you failed the practical component, then you will be required to complete an additional practical report/exam. If you failed the exam component, then you will be required to complete an exam. If you failed both components, you will be required to complete both.

• A passing grade will be awarded only if you obtain at least 50% of the marks in all items of supplementary assessment that you undertake.

• The decision on the format of the supplementary assessment will be made by the course coordinator.

• For some assessment items, for example oral presentations, a different type of assessment may be substituted at the discretion of the course co-ordinator

Supplementary assessments will be designed to allow eligible students to demonstrate specific learning objectives of the course.

Information on supplementary assessment can be found on the MyUQ website.

APPLYING FOR A DEFERRAL OF AN EXAM

If you are unable to sit an exam you need to apply online through my-SiNet. Please read the information on the MyUQ websiteﾠon the requirements for a deferral and how to apply.

SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENTS

All appropriate assignments must be submitted through Turnitin. The course coordinator may also request a hard copy submission of the assignment.

If a hard copy assignment is required then the submission process is as follows:

Hard copy:

1. You will be sent the cover sheet for your assignment by e-mail approximately 1 week before it is due.
2. You must submit your assignment, with the SIGNED coversheet attached to the front, through the assignment slot at the Help Desk (Room 229, Goddard Building) by 4.00pm on the above date/dates.
3. You will be emailed a receipt. Please retain this receipt as proof of submission. If assessment submission is disputed, you MUST produce this receipt.
4. Please ensure that you keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Turnitin submission

1. Access the Assessment folder on the course Blackboard site
2. Upload an electronic version through the Turnitin site for the assignment
3. Assignments can be uploaded multiple times before the due date/time. The last upload before the due time will be the final version.
4. You will be sent a receipt, retain the receipt as proof of submission.
5. If you don't receive a receipt, your assessment wasn't submitted.

Failure to submit both a electronic and hard copy (if required) on time will result in the late penalty (10% of maximum marks per day) being applied - you need to ensure that both the HARD copy and ELECTRONIC versions are submitted by the due date.

PLAGIARISM will not be tolerated: You should be aware that the University employs purpose built software to detect plagiarism. It is very important that you understand clearly the practical meaning of plagiarism.

DEFINITION OF PALGIARISM: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.

EXAMPLES OF PLAGIARISM:

1. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence;

2. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence with an end reference but without quotation marks around the copied text;

3. Copying ideas, concepts, research results, computer codes, statistical tables, designs, images, sounds or text or any combination of these;

4. Paraphrasing, summarising or simply rearranging another person's words, ideas, etc without changing the basic structure and/or meaning of the text;

5. Offering an idea or interpretation that is not one's own without identifying whose idea or interpretation it is;

6. A 'cut and paste' of statements from multiple sources;

7. Presenting as independent, work done in collaboration with others;

8. Copying or adapting another student's original work into a submitted assessment item.

9. Taking an image from the web and presenting it as your own.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE (AI)

AI technologies may be used for all assessments in this course but MUST be acknowledged when used in exams.

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Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Given this is a mostly (or completely for externally enrolled students) online course, it is important that you pace your learning appropriately. ﾠQuizzes ﾠassociated with each module have staggered due dates, and this is a way of helping you stay on track with learning materials. Make sure you give yourself enough time to read and watch the online resources, and do some practice quizzes.

When you come to campus, it ﾠis preferable that you have your own laptop to bring along, though we can supply computing if you do not have one. If borrowing one of ours, you will need your student card.

Microscopes will be available for those who come to campus.ﾠ

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Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.