Toxicology of Insecticides (16:370:522)

Description

This course is not a practical control and spray applications course. You will not learn what, how much, or when to spray something to control and insect problem. It does not deal with pollutants, i.e., compounds that are potentially toxic because they accidentally occur in the wrong places at the wrong times. The main objective with this course is to provide a clear comprehensive presentation of the many compounds designed to kill specific target organisms and a clear understanding of how to use them most efficiently for their purpose and with the least detrimental effects for non-target organisms and biological systems. We have plenty to learn about HOW to use insecticides; “banning” insecticides or anything else has never yet in human history solved a single problem.

This course will enable insect control professionals to make informed decisions that optimize use in specific, local situations in harmony with the abilities of insects to rapidly evolve local populations. It complements the several other courses in the Entomology department instructing about ecological, population genetic, and biological constraints and conditions for insect control.

This course will include discussions about topics essential to current and future insect control efforts, such as historical use and misuse, descriptive chemistry of synthetic, “natural”, botanical, and microbial insecticidal molecules; salient features of their molecular structures explaining their metabolism and mode of action; the interaction between insecticides, other pesticides and commercial synergists; evolution of insecticide resistance; role of insecticides in IPM programs; environmental effects; the need for developing and using insecticides in efforts to minimize insect-vectored virus epidemics or livestock epizootics.

The LEARNING OBJECTIVES of this course are to understand

1. The structural diversity of compounds designed to kill insect disease vectors and competitors for human food, fiber, and shelter.
2. The mode of biochemical action of the different classes of compounds and how insects defend themselves against such compounds by molecular modifications of the target sites and by metabolism.
3. The use of insecticidal compounds in IPM control strategies and how insecticide efficacy is influenced by compounds used to control weeds and pathogenic fungi.
4. The commercial naming strategies of insecticides and the strategies for discovering and devising new compounds and to appreciate their value, usefulness, limitations, and risks.

Testing and Grading

1. Class participation is expected and will represent 10% of your final grade.
2. There will be 6 online quizzes accounting for 90% of your final course grade.