ENY 6934 -- AGRICULTURAL ACAROLOGY
Days, times and place to be determined -- Offered Summer B, odd years
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
updated 10-04

Instructor and Office Hours:
Dr. Marjorie A. Hoy
Room 3111, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive, 2004
P.O. Box 110620
TEL 352-392-1901 X153
FAX 352-392-0190
mahoy@ifas.ufl.edu

Office hours: I will have regularly scheduled office hours during the week, or by appointment.

Course Description: The course emphasizes the biology, ecology, genetics and behavior of pest and beneficial mites in agricultural systems and the diverse methods of controlling them. An emphasis will be placed on biological control and other management tactics that are compatible with biological control.

Objectives and Goals: The student will learn to discriminate between mites and other arthropods taxonomically, understand the different tactics used in agricultural pest management programs for mites, understand the biology, behavior and ecology of key mite pests in agriculture, understand the biology, behavior and ecology of key natural enemies of pest mites, learn the control tactics for managing pest mites and their advantages and limitations, learn to use a hand lens and a dissecting microscope to identify the various life stages of pest mites and phytoseiids, gain an understanding of mite management in several model systems including glasshouse ornamentals and vegetables, strawberries, apples, grapes, citrus and cassava, and understand the biology and impact of mites on honey bees.

Topics to be Covered

• Objectives, course requirements, grading; Classification: the relationship of mites to other arthropods; segmentation and molting
• Feeding, water balance, excretion, muscles, nervous, and circulatory tissues
• Reproduction, life cycles, genetics and sex determination, dispersal
• IPM and mites in agriculture: an overview of the tactics and strategies, including biological control (augmentation, conservation and classical biological control), host plant resistance, cultural controls, acaricides, and genetic control
• Agricultural and ornamental pests: the family Tetranychidae (spider mites)
• Demonstration of spider mite biology, rearing methods, sampling methods
• Premier predators: the Phytoseiidae, their biology, behavior, ecology, and genetics
• Demonstration of Phytoseiid biology, rearing methods, sampling methods
• Phytoseiids as biological control agents: classical, augmentative, and conservation methods in biological control
• Pathogens of spider mites, host plant resistance, chemical control of Tetranychidae: pesticide resistance
• Augmentative biological control of mites: strawberries, glasshouse vegetables, mass rearing methods
• Integrated mite management in almonds and grapes
• Integrated mite management in California and Florida citrus
• Classical biological control of cassava green mite
• Tenuipalpidae as pests in agriculture
• Eriophyidae as agricultural pests
• The Tarsonemidae and Pyemotidae: biology, behavior, ecology and control
• Penthaleidae: redlegged earth mite and blue oat mite
• Bee mites and agriculture
• Tydeidae, Tuckerellidae, Acaridae, Hemisarcoptidae -- friends or foes?
• Current ornamentals mite control
• Post-harvest mite pests in agriculture
• Mites and ticks associated with farm animals

Prerequisites: Introductory course in entomology.

Textbook: There is no required textbook. The students will be given detailed lecture notes and selected readings from a variety of sources.

Assignments and Methods by which the Student will be Evaluated and Grades Determined: Readings as assigned.

Grading:
2 lecture exams @ 25% each = 50%
Comprehensive final exam = 50%
Total = 100%

Grading Scale:
A = 90-100%
B+ = 85-89%
B = 80-84%
C+ = 75-79%
C = 70-74%
D+ = 65-69%
D = 60-69%
E = <60%

Critical Dates for Exams or Other Work: Please see the printed syllabus for scheduled dates of exams. There will be two lecture exams and a final comprehensive exam, for a total of 100%. Students will be expected to sign the following statement on all exams: "On my honor I pledge that I have neither given nor received assistance in the completion of this test."

Policy Related to Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all lectures and demonstrations. Students should respond to questions during the lecture discussion periods and during demonstrations.

Policy Related to Make-Up Exams or Other Work: Examinations may be made up only with advance permission or an excuse from a doctor or the infirmary. Extenuating personal situations include a death or serious illness of an immediate family member. Call prior to the examination and leave a message on my voice mail.

Class Demeanor Expected by Instructor: Please be considerate of your classmates by not chatting during lecture. The banging of doors is very distracting to both students and professor, therefore please arrive on time and do not leave early. Turn off cell phones and beepers before coming into classroom. UF rules prohibit your having food or drinks in classrooms. Use of tobacco products (in any form) in the classroom is prohibited.

Additional General Information: The following information applies to all courses at the University of Florida.

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standard of honesty and integrity.

Academic Honesty: As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."

Copyrighted Materials and Software Use: All students are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing copyrighted material and software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

University Counseling Services: Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling; and
4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.