CLSTHES009 - Incredible Insects: The Little Things that Run the World
Ecologist Dr. Scott Solomon highlights the pivotal, often overlooked role insects play in shaping life on Earth. Insects are the little things that run the world. Indeed, people could not live without their vital contributions. Yet many of us think of insects as annoying, pesky, gross or even dangerous. In reality, only a tiny fraction of insects are harmful to people. The vast majority help us by pollinating crops, serving as food for wildlife and managing waste. Insects also lead complex, fascinating lives and have remarkable abilities. They are celebrated in art, literature and film; commonly used in research that benefits humanity; and serve as inspiration for new technologies. Unfortunately, like many species, insects face a variety of threats including climate change, habitat loss and irresponsible use of pesticides. With insights from current research on ecology and evolution, appreciate how insects enhance our lives and learn how we can better coexist with these incredible creatures.
Course Details
Scott Solomon, Ph.D., is an associate teaching professor in the Department of Biosciences at Rice University and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. He has a Ph.D. in ecology, evolution and behavior from The University of Texas at Austin, where his research examined the evolutionary basis of biological diversity among leafcutter ants in the Amazon Basin. His current research examines the ecology and evolution of insects, microbes and humans. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society and the Society for the Study of Evolution and associate editor of the Journal of Tropical Ecology. Dr. Solomon often speaks and writes about science for the public and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, podcasts and streaming series including “Why Insects Matter: Earth’s Most Essential Species.”
On Campus
This course will be delivered on campus / in person. Parking and room information will be sent prior to the class start date.
- Insect basics: Insect diversity, taxonomy, anatomy and life cycles
- Helpful insects: Pollination, seed dispersal, waste recycling, products, role in the food web
- Harmful insects: Pests, parasites, disease vectors
- Amazing insects: Flying, swimming, communicating, farming
- Insects and people: Insects in art, literature, film, science, technology, forensics, food
- The future of insects: Insect declines, attitudes toward insects, how humans can protect and coexist with insects
Biosciences at Rice
No science background is necessary for this course.