Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the function of the spermatheca in female insects?
What is the function of the spermatheca in female insects?
- To store sperm and control fertilization (correct)
- To transport eggs out of the body
- To produce eggs
- To assist in mating behavior
Which of the following best describes the aedeagus?
Which of the following best describes the aedeagus?
- A complex structure for sperm transfer (correct)
- An external organ for laying eggs
- An organ that produces eggs
- A vessel that transports sperm
Nuptial gifts in insects serve what main purpose?
Nuptial gifts in insects serve what main purpose?
- To provide food for the offspring
- To signify territory ownership
- To increase mating chances (correct)
- To assist in locating partners
Which of the following mating strategies involves large groups of insects gathering in a specific location?
Which of the following mating strategies involves large groups of insects gathering in a specific location?
What role do pheromones play in the mating behaviors of insects?
What role do pheromones play in the mating behaviors of insects?
What are courtship rituals designed to achieve?
What are courtship rituals designed to achieve?
Which of the following behaviors is NOT a common mating strategy used by insects?
Which of the following behaviors is NOT a common mating strategy used by insects?
Which reproductive structure stores sperm in male insects?
Which reproductive structure stores sperm in male insects?
What is a spermatophore?
What is a spermatophore?
Which male species collects sodium to transfer to a female during mating?
Which male species collects sodium to transfer to a female during mating?
What defines sexual dimorphism?
What defines sexual dimorphism?
Where should the pin be placed on moths for proper pinning?
Where should the pin be placed on moths for proper pinning?
What is one example of incorrect pinning?
What is one example of incorrect pinning?
Which description applies to the male peach tree borer?
Which description applies to the male peach tree borer?
What is the purpose of a key in insect identification?
What is the purpose of a key in insect identification?
What should the angle of the pin be during the pinning process?
What should the angle of the pin be during the pinning process?
What is the primary function of a key in identifying insects?
What is the primary function of a key in identifying insects?
Which of the following describes a pictorial key?
Which of the following describes a pictorial key?
How does a dichotomous key operate?
How does a dichotomous key operate?
What happens after determining the characteristic in a key?
What happens after determining the characteristic in a key?
What is a couplet in the context of insect identification keys?
What is a couplet in the context of insect identification keys?
What distinguishes published keys from simple keys?
What distinguishes published keys from simple keys?
Which statement about the use of keys for identification is correct?
Which statement about the use of keys for identification is correct?
What is the first step in using a key?
What is the first step in using a key?
Study Notes
Male Reproductive System
- Testes produce sperm
- Vas deferens stores sperm
- Ejaculatory duct carries sperm out of the body
- Aedeagus (also known as penis) is the external organ used for mating
- Varies in shape and size depending on insect species
Female Reproductive System
- Ovaries produce eggs
- Oviduct transports eggs
- Spermatheca stores sperm from multiple males and allows females to control fertilization
- An example of cryptic female choice
- Ovipositor is the external organ used for laying eggs
Mating and Courtship
- Insects use strategies to find mates
- Swarming: large groups in specific locations
- Pheromones: chemical signals released by females to attract males
- Hilltopping: males gather at high points to establish territory and attract females
- Song: some insects use sound to attract mates
- Vibrational cues: some insects use vibrations to communicate
- Light signals: some insects use light to attract mates
Examples of Mating Behaviors
- Butterflies: hilltopping, pheromones
- Moths: pheromones, light signals
- Fireflies: light signals
- Orthopterans: song, vibrational cues
Impressing a Mate
- Insects use courtship rituals to impress each other
- Dancing: complex movements
- Fighting: males compete to establish dominance
- Gift-giving: some insects offer food or other gifts
Nuptial Gifts
- Gifts given by males to females during courtship
- Increase the chances of mating
- Can be food items, such as dead prey, or nutrients like sodium
- Types:
- Spermatophore - package of sperm and nutrients
- Food items: dead prey
- Examples
- Scorpionfly: Dead moth
- Tiger swallowtail: Sodium
Sexual Dimorphism
- Difference in form or structure between genders within a species
- Examples
- Peach tree borer: Male has a wasp-like appearance, female has orange and black coloration
- Tiger swallowtail: Male and female have different wing patterns
Pinning Insects
- Process of preserving insects for display
- Pin placement:
- Moths: thorax
- Beetles: top right abdominal segment
- Flies: metathorax
- Pin angle: perpendicular to insect, 90-degree angle
Keys to Identification
- Tools used to identify insect order, family, genus, and species
- Types:
- Pictorial Key: uses images
- Dichotomous key: presents two choices at each step
- Example Pictorial Key: "Wing or no wings?"
- Example Dichotomous Key: "Is the insect a beetle?"
Identifying Insects Using Keys
- A key is a series of couplets (two statements) that describe characteristics
- How to use a key:
- Start with the first couplet
- Determine which characteristic applies
- Follow to the next couplet, and continue until identified
Published Keys
- Developed by experts in the field
- More detailed and complex than simple keys
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Description
This quiz was made from notes taken in Biol 3085 at The University of Denver
