TY - JOUR
T1 - To key or not to key
T2 - A new key to simplify & improve the accuracy of insect identification
AU - Zettler, Jennifer A.
AU - Mateer, Scott C.
AU - Link-Pérez, Melanie
AU - Bailey, Jennifer Brofft
AU - Demars, Geneva
AU - Ness, Traci
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 National Association of Biology Teachers.
PY - 2016/10
Y1 - 2016/10
N2 - Insects have extraordinary species richness: over a million species have been identified, and even more await discovery and classification. Given their abundance and diversity, insects are excellent teaching tools for science classrooms. However, accurate insect identification can be especially challenging for beginning students. Accordingly, we have developed a dichotomous key that both precollege and university instructors and students can use efficiently to correctly identify 18 taxonomic orders of insects. Our key was developed to target insects most commonly encountered throughout the coastal southeastern United States, but it can easily be adapted to other regions. This key is novel in that it incorporates not only adult insects but also their immature stages. In addition, we included insects that are likely to be collected in all seasons, facilitating implementation in the classroom throughout the academic year.
AB - Insects have extraordinary species richness: over a million species have been identified, and even more await discovery and classification. Given their abundance and diversity, insects are excellent teaching tools for science classrooms. However, accurate insect identification can be especially challenging for beginning students. Accordingly, we have developed a dichotomous key that both precollege and university instructors and students can use efficiently to correctly identify 18 taxonomic orders of insects. Our key was developed to target insects most commonly encountered throughout the coastal southeastern United States, but it can easily be adapted to other regions. This key is novel in that it incorporates not only adult insects but also their immature stages. In addition, we included insects that are likely to be collected in all seasons, facilitating implementation in the classroom throughout the academic year.
KW - Insects
KW - Wolbachia
KW - biodiversity
KW - dichotomous key
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84996629853&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1525/abt.2016.78.8.626
DO - 10.1525/abt.2016.78.8.626
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84996629853
SN - 0002-7685
VL - 78
SP - 626
EP - 633
JO - American Biology Teacher
JF - American Biology Teacher
IS - 8
ER -