Insect-Plant Interactions
Course Description. This course will cover the ecology and evolution of insect-plant interactions in
basic and applied contexts. The interactions between insects and plants are of fundamental importance
to the structure and function of natural ecosystems, the management of invasive species, and decisions
regarding the use of biological control agents and genetically modified crops. We will use these
interactions as models to empirically explore the concepts and general principles covered in population
and community ecology courses. Using formal lectures, interactive discussions, and readings from the
primary literature, this course will examine all major classes of insect-plant interactions and their
consequences at multiple hierarchical levels.
CSL component: This is a Community Service Learning
(CSL) class. The goal is for students to gain hands-on learning experience through providing service to their
community. In 2005, we asked each student to volunteer 12 hours at the Hampshire Farm Center. In future years,
we may restructure this component to instead focus on teaching plant-insect interactions to 7th grade at-risk
students via a farm visit. A lab credit may be added to accommodate this time commitment, making this a 4-credit
course.
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