BIO 310 – Insect Morphology and Physiology
COURSE PARTICULARS
Course Code: BIO 310
Course Title: Insect Morphology and Physiology
No. of Units: 3
Course Duration: two hours of theory and three hours of practicals per week for 15 weeks.
Status: Compulsory
Course Email Address:
Course Webpage:
Prerequisite:
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Akinkurolere R. O.
Room 2 south, Biology Lab II,
SOS Building, Oba’nla,
Biology Department,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Phone: +2348067880461
Email: [email protected]
Dr. A. A. Omoloye
Ground Floor, Academic Building,
Dept. of Biology,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Phone: +2348o23256878
Email: [email protected]
Prof. Henry Fadamiro
Visiting Professor from:
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
301 Funchess Hall, Auburn University,
Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Phone: Email: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a comparative study of the major structures and organ systems emphasizing the
various modifications that are important in the success of insects. A thorough knowledge of
insect morphology is essential to a well trained biologist.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to:
 To provide students with an understanding of the comparative morphology of insect
organ systems.

To show students how the morphology of a structure is related to its function.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES / COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
(Knowledge based)



Describe the morphology of basic insect organ systems;
classify and explain the function of different insect organ systems;
identify and describe the morphological variations in the organs of different classes of
insects
(Skills)


draw and label different structural parts of an insect.
Identify and explain the functions of the different structural parts
GRADING SYSTEM FOR THE COURSE
This course will be graded as follows:
Class Attendance
10%
Assignments
10%
Test(s)
20%
Final Examination 60%
TOTAL
100%
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that all students would be present in class for lectures and also participate
in all practical activities. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person’s
qualification to sit for final examination according to the University rules. Any unavoidable
cause(s) of absence must be communicated with or presented to the instructor as soon as
possible, indicating the reason for the absence.
Academic Integrity: Any violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments,
examinations, or other academic performances are not permitted. Students are not allowed to
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make copies of another person’s work and submit it as own. All cases of academic dishonesty
will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in accordance with the
guidelines for handling students’ misconduct as spelt out in the Students’ Handbook.
Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit class assignments promptly. Failure
to submit assignment as required will lead to zero for that assignment. Students should notify the
instructor on time in case of any challenges concerning submissions.
Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off cell phones during
lectures and are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting, watching videos,
etc.) during lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the laboratories.
READING LIST
Snodgrass, R.E. 1935. Principles of Insect Morphology. McGraw-Hill. New York. 667
pp. Reprinted:2004
2. Chapman, R.F. 1998. The Insects: Structure and Function. Fourth ed. Cambridge Univ.
Press. 770 pp.
1.
Note
The visiting Professor from the USA would come in on the Mon 20th May 2013. The course schedule may be altered in
his favour.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week
Topic
Remarks
1
Introduction to Insect Morphology – Arthropodization and
history
2
General organisation and development in insects – body
regions, sclerites and tagmosis; embryology
3
The insect integument and its derivatives –cuticula,
epidermis and the basement membrane; sclerotization,
sutures, apodemes;external processes on body wall;
ectodermal glands, musculature and moulting
Segmental appendages of insects –general structure of
appendages, with examples
During this first class, an overview of
the course would be provided and the
expectation of the students from the
course will be documented.
Practical exercise will involve field
collection of different insects species;
observation of the distinguishing
features and drawing of a typical
mandibulate insect;
Practical exercise will involve
observation of the distinguishing
features and drawing of external
process on insects
Practical exercise will involve preparation of mouthparts of a mandibulate
and haustellate insect; observation of
the distinguishing features and drawing
of these
Practical exercise will involve
observation of the distinguishing
features and drawing of :
 a typical mandibulate insect;
 an orthopteroid and hemipteropid
insect head
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5&6
The general morphology of the arthropod head- insect head
and its appendages:
 The insect mouthparts
 The insect eyes and sense of sight
 The insect antenna
 Other structures on insect head and their functions
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Instructor
Dr. AA
Omoloye
Dr
Akinkurolere
R. O.
Dr. AA
Omoloye
Dr. AA
Omoloye
Dr. AA
Omoloye
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 preparation of the insect mouthparts
Practical exercise will involve
dissection, observation of
distinguishing features and/or drawing
of different types of modifications of
insect legs and wings with examples
The insect thorax – the functions and its appendages
 insect legs and modifications
 insect wings and modifications
8
The insect abdomen – the functions and associated
structures
 male and female external genitalia
 segmentation and modifications
9
Internal Reproductive Organs (male and female), EggsEmbryology and Preimaginal Development;
metamorphosis-types; types of larvae; types of pupae
Dr
Akinkurolere
R. O.
Practical exercise will involve
dissection, observation of
distinguishing features and/or drawing
of different types of modifications of
insect abdomen and genitalia with
examples.
Practical exercise will involve field
collection, observation of
distinguishing features and/or drawing
of different types of modifications of
insect larvae and pupae with examples.
Dr
Akinkurolere
R. O.
Insect respiratory System –structures and functions –
organisation of the tracheal system, modifications,
spiracles,
Comparison of the modifications of
the tracheal system in different
insects
Dr
11
Organ of ingestion; alimentary System and feeding
mechanism
Prof. Fadamiro
12
Organs of distribution, conservation and elimination-the
blood, organ of circulation, oenocytes, corporal alata,
organs of elimination - excretion
General structure, organisation and function of the nervous
system; Non-visual Sensory Structures, Neuroendocrine
System and Bio-lumniscence in insects
REVISION
Practical exercise will involve
dissection, observation of
distinguishing features and/or drawing
of different types of modifications of
insect digestive and excretory systems
with examples.
Comparison of the different modes of
excretion in insects
Practical demonstration of the role of
non visual cues in insect control- the
fire ant experience
Prof. Fadamiro
10
13-14
Dr
Akinkurolere
R. O.
Akinkurolere
R. O.
Prof. Fadamiro
Tutorial Questions
1. Make a well labelled diagram of the lateral view of a named insect.
2. List five external feature of an insect that helps it to adapt to terrestrial life.
3. Describe the three common types of head orientation found in insects
4. Draw and label five different types of antennae
5. List the importance of antenna to insects
6. Describe the type of mouthpart found in the following insects i) cockroach, ii) mosquito, and
iii) housefly.
7. The fore leg of diverse insects can be modified for various adaptative functions, discuss.
8. Briefly describe the formation of exoskeleton in insects.
9. Briefly describe the thorax of a typical insect, and give its general function.
10. List the appendages that could be found on the thorax of an insect.
11. Write on the modifications and function of wings in insects.
12. Discuss with examples, the various modifications and functions of the appendages found on
insect abdomen.
13. Describe the internal reproductive system of a typical insect.
14. Describe (with the aid of a diagram) the digestive system of an insect
15. Describe the modification and function of the tracheal system in insects.
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