Sean Halloran: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2015

Name Dr. Sean Halloran
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
751-5110-00LInsects in Agroecosystems2 credits2VS. Halloran, K. Mauck
AbstractThis class will focus on insect-plant interactions in Central European agroecosystems, and on regulators of insect pest populations. Lectures will cover important crop systems in central European agriculture. Within each system, major pests and their interactions will be described in an ecological context, focusing on key concepts in pest prediction and management.
ObjectiveAt the end of this course, students will have gained in-depth knowledge of the ecology of major pest species and their impacts within specific crop systems in Central Europe. Our approach will allow students to transfer this knowledge to related questions in other systems. Additionally, students will learn about current research goals in agroecology and how these goals are being addressed by scientists engaged in agricultural research.
ContentInsect-plant interactions in middle European agroecosystems are the focus of this course. Always starting from an important perennial or annual crop, specific insect species of economic significance are presented along with the life cycles, population dynamics, and the insect-plant interactions relevant to economic impacts on the crop. Natural factors which limit such damage are introduced, e.g. parasitoids and predators. Each section of the course is complemented by a basic ecological, biological or engineering theme or approach such as host shift, physiological time, or sampling techniques. Recent advances in research will also be addressed throughout the course and reinforced with periodic readings of recent primary literature.
Lecture notesProvided to students through ILIAS
LiteratureSelected required readings (peer reviewed literature, selected book chapters).