Insect Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards for insect biology.

Adenotrophic viviparity

Reproduction where the female retains and nourishes larva, giving birth to fully developed larvae (e.g., tsetse flies).

African trypanosomiasis

Sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma parasites transmitted by tsetse flies, affecting humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa.

Africanized killer bees

Hybrid of African and European honeybees known for aggressive behavior and swarming.

Almond flower pollination in CA

Almond crops in California rely heavily on managed honeybee colonies for pollination.

Ant antennae

Sensory organs that ants use to detect chemicals, touch, and movement.

Ant feeding habit

Ants feed on nectar, seeds, fungi, other insects, and honeydew secreted by aphids.

Ant-decapitating phorid flies

Parasitic flies whose larvae decapitate the ant host as they develop inside its body.

Antlion larva habit

Larvae dig funnel-shaped traps in sandy soil to catch ants and small insects.

Aposematic coloration

Bright, warning coloration used by insects to signal that they are toxic, distasteful, or dangerous.

Argentine ant biology

Invasive ants that form massive colonies and displace native species.

Army ant biology

Nomadic ants that form temporary nests called bivouacs and exhibit aggressive foraging behavior in swarms.

Armyworm

Caterpillar pest known for moving in groups and devouring crops.

Biting midges / nonbiting midges

Biting midges feed on blood and can transmit diseases; nonbiting midges resemble mosquitoes but do not bite.

Blackflies

Small, dark flies that breed in running water; females bite and feed on blood.

Blackfly and disease

Blackflies transmit Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite that causes river blindness.

Blackfly biology

Aquatic larvae cling to submerged rocks; adults require blood meals for reproduction.

Blow flies in forensic entomology

Used to estimate time of death based on larval development stages on decomposing bodies.

Bombardier beetle defensive strategy

Releases a hot chemical spray from its abdomen as a defense mechanism.

Book lung

A respiratory structure in arachnids, consisting of layered tissues for gas exchange.

Cabbage butterfly

A common pest of cruciferous vegetables; larvae feed on cabbage and related crops.

Cabbage looper

A moth larva that moves with a characteristic looping motion and feeds on leafy vegetables.

Caddisfly

Aquatic insect with larvae that build protective cases; adults resemble moths.

California dogface butterfly

The state insect of California.

Canine heartworm

A parasitic roundworm spread by mosquitoes that lives in the heart and lungs of dogs.

Cardenolide

A toxic chemical compound found in some plants; sequestered by insects like monarch butterflies.

Carrion beetle

Beetles that feed on decaying animal flesh; important decomposers.

Casemaking clothes moth

A moth whose larvae build silk cases and feed on natural fibers.

Characteristics of Insecta

Three body regions, three pairs of legs, compound eyes, and usually two pairs of wings.

Characteristics of Lepidoptera

Scaled wings, a coiled proboscis, and complete metamorphosis.

Cochineal

A scale insect that produces carminic acid; used to make red dye.

Colorado Potato Beetle

A major pest of potato crops.

Corixidae respiration

Water boatmen breathe using air stored on their bodies and trapped beneath their wings during dives.

Crane fly biology

Often mistaken for giant mosquitoes; they do not bite.

Cryptic coloration

Camouflage that helps insects blend into their environment.

Dance language of honeybee

Bees communicate food source locations through movements like the waggle dance.

Diapause

A state of suspended development in insects.

Disease and body louse

Body lice can transmit diseases like typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.

Diversity in insects

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth.

Diving beetle feeding habit

Predaceous beetles that hunt aquatic prey.

Dung beetle biology

Beetles that feed on and bury dung, playing a key role in nutrient cycling.

Ecdysone

A hormone that regulates molting and metamorphosis in arthropods.

Ecological advantages of dipteran insects

Flies serve as pollinators, decomposers, and biological control agents.

Ephemeroptera

An order of insects known as mayflies.

Etymology of Hymenoptera

From Greek hymen (membrane) and ptera (wings), referring to their membranous wings.

Etymology of Lepidoptera

From Greek lepido (scale) and ptera (wings), describing the scale-covered wings of moths and butterflies.

Eusociality

A social structure involving cooperative brood care, overlapping generations, and reproductive division of labor.

Evolution of hexapods

Hexapods evolved from crustacean-like ancestors and include insects.

Fire ant adaptation

Fire ants possess aggressive behavior, potent venom, and the ability to form living rafts during floods.

Firefly bioluminescent organ

Specialized abdominal organs that produce light via a chemical reaction involving luciferin.

Fly response to a corpse

Flies quickly colonize dead bodies; species like blow flies lay eggs that develop predictably.

Foraging strategies in Myrmicinae

Myrmicinae ants use diverse foraging strategies including solo foraging, group recruitment, and trail pheromones.

Forensic entomology

The study of insects to aid legal investigations.

Formic acid

A chemical produced by some ants as a defense mechanism.

Function of Malpighian tubules

Excretory organs in insects that remove waste from hemolymph.

Glucosinolates

Defensive compounds in cruciferous plants.

Gossamer-winged butterfly

Refers to butterflies in the family Lycaenidae.

Gulf fritillary

A bright orange butterfly common in the southern U.S.

Hair-pencils in butterfly

Tufts of specialized scent-dispersing hairs used by male butterflies during courtship.

Haltere

A modified hindwing in flies that functions as a gyroscopic organ.

Hamulate wing-coupling mechanism

A mechanism in Hymenoptera where hindwing hooks attach to the forewing.

Harvester ant

A type of ant that collects seeds for food.

Hemolymph functions

Insect blood that transports nutrients, hormones, and waste.

Holometabolous

Complete metamorphosis involving egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Hornet

A large, social wasp known for its painful sting.

Hornworm

Caterpillar of hawk moths, often found on tomato and tobacco plants

Horsefly feeding

Female horseflies bite animals and humans to feed on blood.

Hydroquinone

A chemical compound used by bombardier beetles as part of their defensive spray.

Hymenoptera biology

Includes ants, bees, and wasps; characterized by membranous wings and narrow waists.

Hymenoptera sex determination

Based on haplodiploidy: fertilized eggs become females, and unfertilized eggs become males.

Jewel beetle characteristics

Known for their bright, metallic colors; often wood-borers.

Larvae and adults in Diptera

Dipteran larvae often live in moist environments; adults usually have a single pair of wings.

Leaf beetle

Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae; many are plant feeders.

Leaf-cutter bee

Solitary bees that cut circular pieces from leaves to build nests.

Leafcutter ant biology

These ants cut leaves and use them to cultivate fungus for food.

Leishmaniasis

A disease caused by Leishmania parasites, transmitted by sandflies.

Lycaenidae biology

A butterfly family including blues, coppers, and hairstreaks.

Maggot therapy

The use of live, sterile fly larvae to clean non-healing wounds.

Mayfly characteristics

Short-lived adults, aquatic nymphs, and a unique life cycle including a subimago stage.

Medico-legal forensic entomology

Application of insect science in legal cases, especially to estimate post-mortem intervals.

Mimicry

An evolutionary adaptation where one organism resembles another to deter predators.

Mosquito and diseases

Mosquitoes transmit diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

Moths vs. butterflies

Butterflies are diurnal with clubbed antennae; moths are mostly nocturnal with feathery antennae.

Natatorial leg

A swimming-adapted leg found in aquatic insects like water beetles.

Nesting habits in wasps

Can be solitary or social; nests are built from mud, plant material, or paper-like pulp.

Neuropteran feeding habit

Larvae are predatory and suck fluids from prey.

Nymphalidae leg

Front legs are reduced and non-functional in adults; used for sensory purposes.

Ocelli

Simple eyes that detect light intensity but not detailed images.

Ommatidia

Individual visual units of a compound eye.

Onychophora characteristics

Velvet worms; segmented, soft-bodied terrestrial invertebrates with unjointed legs.

Osmeterium

Eversible gland behind the head of swallowtail caterpillars used to deter predators.

Parasitoid vs. predators

Parasitoids develop inside a host and kill it; predators consume multiple prey.

Pentatomidae characteristics

Stink bugs; shield-shaped, emit a foul odor, and some are pests of crops.

Pheromones

Chemical signals released by insects to communicate.

Phorid flies and ants

Phorid flies parasitize ants by laying eggs on or in them.

Pollen basket

Flattened area on the hind tibia of bees where pollen is stored.

Problems caused by invasive ants

Ecological disruption, damage to crops, and displacement of native species.

Proleg

Fleshy, non-jointed leg-like structures on the abdomen of caterpillars.

Proventriculus

Part of the foregut in insects; grinds food.

Puparium

The hardened last larval skin that encloses the pupa in some flies.

River blindness

Disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted by blackflies.