University of SulaimaniaSchool of ScienceDepartment of Biology2nd Class Year

Practical Entomology 2011-2012

Lecturer: Farhad A. Khudhur

13th Lab.

Internal Morphology of Insects

ObjectivesObjectives

• Locate and identify structures associated Locate and identify structures associated with the internal morphology of insect.with the internal morphology of insect.

• Explain the functions of specific structures Explain the functions of specific structures associated with the internal morphology of associated with the internal morphology of insect.insect.

Insect DissectionsInsect Dissections

• Often the best approach to understanding Often the best approach to understanding internal morphology is by way of a internal morphology is by way of a dissection. For this reason, the entire dissection. For this reason, the entire lecture should be treated as a laboratory lecture should be treated as a laboratory activity.activity.

Insect dissection precedure

• Cut the legs and wings of your specimen.• Place specimen in dissecting tray.• Insert the tip of your scissors between two abdominal

segments close to the ‘tail end’ on the lateral side of the insect.

• CAREFULLY cut the exoskeleton (making certain not to puncture internal organs) from the point of insertion anteriorly toward the head. Then proceed to cut the remaining 3-4 posterior segments.

• Use forceps to pull skeleton apart, exposing internal systems.

• With dissecting pins, tack the flaps to the tray, thus keeping the body cavity open.

• Flood tray with saline to facilitate observation of organs.

References

• Gillot, Cedric. (2005). Entomology. 3rd ed. Springer, Dordrecht., The Netherlands. 831 pp.

• Resh, Vincent H. & Cardé, Ring T. (2003). Encyclopedia of Insects. USA. Academic Press, Elsevier Science, 1266 pp.

• Gullan, P.J. and Cranston, P.S. (). The insects: An Outline of Entomology. 3rd ed. U.K. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 505 pp.