2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Entomology is both a basic and an applied science which deals with the study of insects and their effects upon the health, economy, and welfare of humankind.
The department offers graduate programs leading to the MSLFS (thesis or non-thesis) and PhD (see Graduate Catalog). The departmental teaching, research, and extension programs are closely coordinated with those of other departments.
Insects are important as agricultural, health, and aesthetic pests and as beneficial organisms which serve as pollinators, biological control agents for pest populations, and as components of natural ecosystems. While entomologists have only scratched the surface in the study of insects and related arthropods, their research has yielded great benefits to humankind. Examples include reductions in human diseases transmitted by insects and the leadership shown by entomologists in the development of integrated pest management principles and procedures.
Head: T. J. Kring
Professors: S. A. Entrekin, T. J. Kring, T. P. Kuhar, D. M. Miller, D. G. Pfeiffer, A. Rashed, S. M. Salom, and I. V. Sharakhov
Associate Professors: J. A. Auguste, W. Booth, M. J. Couvillon, G. Eastwood, A. D. Gross, P. Marek, K. B. Rice, S. L. Paulson, and M. V. Sharakhova
Assistant Professors: A. Del Pozo-Valdivia, R. Schürch, and C. S. Yang
Collegiate Assistant Professor: J. M. Wilson
Past, present, and future role of insects in human society. Insect biology, diversity, and identification of common insects and other arthropods. Effects of insects on disease transmission, global food security, and human health. Management of pests of plants, animals, insects as food, and its effects on environmental pollution. Critique popular science communication and its effect on public policy. Human perceptions of insect conflicts, benefits of insects, and arthropod conservation across the world.
An introduction to honey bee biology, the social organization of the honey bee colony and to modern apiculture, including the use of bees for pollination. Topics on beekeeping include equipment, how to get started, and colony management practices. II
A laboratory course which examines the principles and practices of modern apiculture as they relate to honey bee biology. An emphasis is placed on students gaining practical field experience in modern management techniques. II
Foundational introduction to bees. Behavior, communication, and social organization of honey bees; diversity and use of alternative (non honey bee) pollinators; scientific inquiry in ecosystem services management; and current global challenges to and sustainable solutions for pollination in the modern-day agricultural landscape.
Insect biology provides an introduction to the science of entomology. The course covers the diversity of insects, their biology and behavior, the importance of insects and insect control programs in agriculture, and the effects that insects have had on human history and culture. Laboratory (3024) is optional.
Taxonomy and ecology of insects commonly encountered. Identification of all orders and many common families. Ecological attributes of each taxon, including food, habitat, life cycle, and behavior. An insect collection is required. I
An introduction to the roles of insects and other arthropods in the direct causation of disease in humans and animals, and as vectors in the transmission of disease organisms. The epidemiology and replication cycles of vector-borne pathogens with major medical and veterinary importance will be examined. Information will be provided on the biology and behavior of disease vectors and external parasites, and on the annoying and venomous pests of humans and animals. Mechanisms of control will be discussed.
Taxonomy and anatomy of insects and arthropods of medical and veterinary importance. Examination of feeding behavior and ecology. Emphasis on the mechanism of injury or pathogen transmission by each group.
Principles of insect pest management with application to the major insect pests found in Virginia. Pest management involves the utilization of all effective control practices in a program which is ecologically and economically efficient. This course is intended for all students with an interest in efficient agricultural production and in reducing losses to our most diverse competitor. One year of General Biology required.
An interdisciplinary study of pesticides used in urban and agricultural environments. Topics studied will include: classification, toxicology, formulation, application techniques, safety, legal considerations, environmental impact, and research and development of new pesticides.
Biology and taxonomy of insects and other macroinvertebrates most commonly encountered in freshwater environments. Selected aspects of biology, such as habitat, feeding, locomotion, and life history. Identification of individual taxa, mostly at family and genus level. Significance of these organism in aquatic ecology, pollution monitoring, and natural resource management.
Concepts and practices of using macroinvertebrates and fish to monitor the environmental health of freshwater ecosystems. Effects of different types of pollution and environmental stress on assemblages of organisms and underlying ecological principles. Role of biological studies in environmental regulation. Study design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis and interpretation, verbal and written presentation of results.
A One Health approach to the concept of biosafety and biosecurity. Principles, tools and techniques of disease detection, early warning, and containment of animal and plant pathogens. Regulatory agencies and guidelines that work to protect human, animal, plant, and environmental health and prevent economic and public health disasters. Pre: Junior standing.
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