lab practical

Exam Instructions and Guidelines

• Students are allowed to use Blue Books for the exam.

• No other open notes are permitted.

Exam Structure

• The exam will consist of questions about insect identification.

• Each individual specimen will have two questions:

  • "What is the order?"

  • "What is the family?" or "What is the common name of the family?"

• Each question will account for a portion of the total grade, specifically worth 50 points.

Focus of the Study

• The focus will be strictly on insects within the taxonomic sub file of Hexapoda.

• Myriapods and other classifications will not be covered in this practical exam.

Identification Requirements

• Students must be prepared to identify various orders and families of insects.

• Important families to study include common species such as crickets and grasshoppers, which tend to pose challenges for students.

• Students will not need to know families for the following:

  • Plecoptera (stoneflies)

  • Mantidae (mantises)

  • Mantonia (a lesser-known group)

Practical Tips for Exam

• Small and delicate insects may be difficult to pin without causing damage.

• Students should consider alternative methods for handling such specimens to preserve them for identification.

Conclusion

• The instructor will provide a list of the specific items to be included on the practical exam prior to its date.

• Students should seek clarification on any points of confusion before the exam.

• Overall preparation for the exam should concentrate on familiarizing oneself with the characteristics and common names of the families relevant to the Hexapoda group, as these will be critical for success.