Entomology B/C

[CTMSRoadScholarKING]

So guys, what do you think the best differences between Lygaeidae(Seed Bug) and Miridae(Plant Bug) are? Is there a way that you guys can easily tell them apart? THANKS FOR ANY ANSWERS!!

[Panda Weasley]

Zerasaw are you sure it's not Invasive Species?

Invasive Species is another event. Entomology rotates with Ornithology, Forestry, and Herpetology.

[adl]

I am doing both this topic and Fossil, which both have Spot IDs- is there any way that works best to do this, or should I try flashcards (one side a picture, the other side the name)?
Thanks!

[ceg7654]

I am doing both this topic and Fossil, which both have Spot IDs- is there any way that works best to do this, or should I try flashcards (one side a picture, the other side the name)?
Thanks!

It all depends on how well you remember things. Some people are better with being tested, like with flashcards, but other people work well by just looking at the pictures and names over and over again. Still other people come up with nicknames or special ways to remember them, and connect the way they look to their name. I'd recommend trying all of them out and seeing which way works the best for you.

One thing though- if you decide to use flashcards, don't do it on paper. Do it on Quizlet or something, because once you know the ID, it's kinda impossible to forget it. Once you know the ID, you're finished with it and you'll never have to review it again. At least, that's for me and the other Ento people I know. So don't waste 130 paper index cards on it.

[Jaol]

Oh Panda Weasely...., then what rotates with Invasive.

[mjcox2000]

So guys, what do you think the best differences between Lygaeidae(Seed Bug) and Miridae(Plant Bug) are? Is there a way that you guys can easily tell them apart? THANKS FOR ANY ANSWERS!!

A main difference is that Miridae wings have these wedge-shaped things in back called cunei (singular cuneus), and Lygaeidae don't.

Miridae Cuneus.jpg

[CTMSRoadScholarKING]

So guys, what do you think the best differences between Lygaeidae(Seed Bug) and Miridae(Plant Bug) are? Is there a way that you guys can easily tell them apart? THANKS FOR ANY ANSWERS!!

A main difference is that Miridae wings have these wedge-shaped things in back called cunei (singular cuneus), and Lygaeidae don't.

Miridae Cuneus.jpg

WOW!!! THANKS SO MUCH !!

[Sri_D_Ram]

The wiki says that the Audubon guide doesn't classify based on families or orders, so would you recommend using the national wildlife federations book instead?
Also, what exactly was the format of the test last year. Was there an ID portion and a short answer portion? How long were they?

Thanks!

[Panda Weasley]

The wiki says that the Audubon guide doesn't classify based on families or orders, so would you recommend using the national wildlife federations book instead?
Also, what exactly was the format of the test last year. Was there an ID portion and a short answer portion? How long were they?

Thanks!

I'm not sure what you mean by the way the Audubon is ordered...in my copy at least it's by order and families. I would recommend using the Audubon because the tests should be based off of the information in that book, and the correct spellings will be how they appear in the Audubon. The one problem with Audubon that most people point out is that all of the pictures are in the very front, so it can be hard to ID things and then get the info quickly if you are having to use the field guide to ID. It's really up to what works best for you and your partner. I used WF at regionals and Audubon at State, and I personally think Audubon was better. As I said before though, it's really up to you.

The tests are different based on where you are. Most follow a general format though of mainly having a picture to ID and then questions about that order/family specifically. There is also sometimes (it may be more common in other parts of the country) a part at the end, or at one of the stations, that will ask about general knowledge type things. it might be helpful to look at practice tests in the test exchange to get a better idea of what might be on the test.

Hope that this was helpful!

[zerasaw]

The general format is ID (around 30-50) and an additional question about the species.
Unfortunately, if you're in a very crowded regional like I was, they might just decide to give you an insect anatomy test. So be prepared for anything.