Entomology B/C

[caseyotis]

I'm pretty sure the rules said we have to know order, family, and common names. I think it's the common name of the family though.

Yeah, common names for families. I'm assuming that these common names are the ones that are on the official list.

[sciolympian]

Hello, I'm new to this event, and I was wondering how you can tab the field guide in an effective way. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[hexagonaria]

Hello, I'm new to this event, and I was wondering how you can tab the field guide in an effective way. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Which guide do you use?

[TYG]

I'm pretty sure the rules said we have to know order, family, and common names. I think it's the common name of the family though.

Yeah, common names for families. I'm assuming that these common names are the ones that are on the official list.

I'm getting a little bit confused with the insect list. The families have common names listed next to them (eg. "Colletidae- Plaster bees"), so would all the bugs in that family be considered under that common name (eg. are yellow faced bees considered plaster bees)?

Also, we are responsible for any ID under the families listed, right? For instance, even though Halictidae has "Alkali bees" listed right next to it, we are still expected to be able to ID any bee in the family Halictidae?

[caseyotis]

I'm pretty sure the rules said we have to know order, family, and common names. I think it's the common name of the family though.

Yeah, common names for families. I'm assuming that these common names are the ones that are on the official list.

I'm getting a little bit confused with the insect list. The families have common names listed next to them (eg. "Colletidae- Plaster bees"), so would all the bugs in that family be considered under that common name (eg. are yellow faced bees considered plaster bees)?

Also, we are responsible for any ID under the families listed, right? For instance, even though Halictidae has "Alkali bees" listed right next to it, we are still expected to be able to ID any bee in the family Halictidae?

To answer your first question: Yes. This is why common names can be confusing; personally, I try not to bother with them, because they get me confused.

For the second question; also yes. It's kind of stupid that they put alkali bee next to that, since not all bees in Halictidae are alkali bees... I mean, chances are, they actually will ask about an alkali bee. But expect any bee from the family.

[sciolympian]

Hello, I'm new to this event, and I was wondering how you can tab the field guide in an effective way. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Which guide do you use?

I am using the National Audubon Society field guide.

[hexagonaria]

Hello, I'm new to this event, and I was wondering how you can tab the field guide in an effective way. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Which guide do you use?

I am using the National Audubon Society field guide.

I'm just tabbing the orders in the back portion, with the text. I figure that the families should be easy enough to locate once you have found the order, and if you tabbed the families, there'd be way too many tabs for their use to be beneficial.

Another thing I'm doing, which I hope is allowed, is labelling the photographs with the order and family names, since only the common names are shown. Makes rapid identification easier.

[sciolympian]

Also, what is good to include on the cheat sheet you are allowed to bring in?

[silverheart7]

Also, what is good to include on the cheat sheet you are allowed to bring in?

Anatomical diagrams are a good idea, I've seen a lot of questions about body parts. Trivia and historical refrences could be good ideas, basically whatever you think will be helpful?

[caseyotis]

Also, what is good to include on the cheat sheet you are allowed to bring in?

I usually bring the insect list. But really, whatever is most useful to you, whether it be something to help navigate your guide, definitions of anatomy terms, some facts about insects, some differences between similar-looking organisms that you can never get straight, or even pictures of insects.