Chemoecology of Insect Eggs and Egg Deposition


Book Description

This is the first book focusing on the chemoecology of insect eggs and egg deposition. It covers a wide range of different issues including herbivorous and carnivorous insects, social insects and those of medical and veterinary importance. The knowledge compiled in this book may promote future studies on evolutionary aspects on insect reproductive behaviour as well as on controlling insect pests by targeting the egg stage.




Hymenoptera and Conservation


Book Description

Hymenoptera, the bees, wasps and ant, are one of the largest insect orders, and have massive ecological importance as pollinators and as predators or parasitoids of other insects. These roles have brought them forcefully to human notice , as governors of some key ecological services that strongly influence human food supply. Recent declines of pollinators and introductions of alien pests or biological control agents are only part of the current concerns for conservation of Hymenoptera, and of the interactions in which they participate in almost all terrestrial ecosystems. Both pests and beneficial species abound within the order, sometimes closely related within the same families. Many taxa are both difficult to identify, and very poorly known. This global overview, the first such account for the whole of the Hymenoptera, discusses a broad range of themes to introduce the insects and their conservation roles and needs, and how their wellbeing may be approached. The book is intended as a source of information for research workers, students, conservation managers and naturalists as an introduction to the importance of this dominant insect order.




Novel Aspects of the Biology of Chrysomelidae


Book Description

Chrysomelidae, along with Curculionidae and Bruchidae, are the most important phytophagous Coleoptera. At least 37,000 species of leaf beetles belonging to 19 subfamilies have now been described, and more probably remain to be discovered, especially in the tropics. Many species are familiar agricultural pests. The Colorado potato beetle, the cereal beetle, flea beetle and the corn root worms are but a few of the well known pests. Because of the economic importance and biological diversity, chrysomelids are an important taxonomic group for scientific inquiry. This book is divided into eight parts, entitled palaeontology, larvae and larval biology, trophic selection, genetics and evolution defence mechanisms, anatomy and reproduction, pathogens and natural enemies, and general studies in biology. The biologies of agricultural and forestry pests, Leptinotarsa, Plagiodera, Entomoscelis, Paropsis, Mecistomela and Aspidomorpha are dealt with in detail. Others, such as Timarcha and those in the poorly known Megalopodinae, are covered in Part VIII. In this volume the American, European, Asian and Australian fauna occupy the greatest part. This volume, together with Biology of Chrysomelidae (1988), provides a comprehensive coverage and helps to complete the picture of chrysomelid biology.




Biology of Insect Eggs


Book Description




Biology of Insect Eggs


Book Description




Biology of Blood-Sucking Insects


Book Description

Blood-sucking insects are the vectors of many of the most debilitating parasites of man and his domesticated animals. In addition they are of considerable direct cost to the agricultural industry through losses in milk and meat yields, and through damage to hides and wool, etc. So, not surprisingly, many books of medical and veterinary entomology have been written. Most of these texts are organized taxonomically giving the details of the life-cycles, bionomics, relationship to disease and economic importance of each of the insect groups in turn. I have taken a different approach. This book is topic led and aims to discuss the biological themes which are common in the lives of blood-sucking insects. To do this I have concentrated on those aspects of the biology of these fascinating insects which have been clearly modified in some way to suit the blood-sucking habit. For example, I have discussed feeding and digestion in some detail because feeding on blood presents insects with special problems, but I have not discussed respiration because it is not affected in any particular way by haematophagy. Naturally there is a subjective element in the choice of topics for discussion and the weight given to each. I hope that I have not let my enthusiasm for particular subjects get the better of me on too many occasions and that the subject material achieves an overall balance.




Insect Hydrocarbons


Book Description

A unique and critical analysis of the wealth of research conducted on the biology, biochemistry and chemical ecology of the rapidly growing field of insect cuticular hydrocarbons. Authored by leading experts in their respective fields, the twenty chapters show the complexity that has been discovered in the nature and role of hydrocarbons in entomology. Covers, in great depth, aspects of chemistry (structures, qualitative and quantitative analysis), biochemistry (biosynthesis, molecular biology, genetics, evolution), physiology, taxonomy, and ecology. Clearly presents to the reader the array of data, ideas, insights and historical disagreements that have been accumulated during the past half century. An emphasis is placed on the role of insect hydrocarbons in chemical communication, especially among the social insects. Includes the first review on the chemical synthesis of insect hydrocarbons. The material presented is a major resource for current researchers and a source of ideas for new researchers.




The Evolution of Social Behavior in Insects and Arachnids


Book Description

'Social' insects and arachnids exhibit complex forms of behavior that involve cooperation in building a nest, defending against attackers or rearing offspring. This book is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to sociality and its evolution in a wide range of taxa.




Medical and Veterinary Entomology


Book Description

Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Second Edition, has been fully updated and revised to provide the latest information on developments in entomology relating to public health and veterinary importance. Each chapter is structured with the student in mind, organized by the major headings of Taxonomy, Morphology, Life History, Behavior and Ecology, Public Health and Veterinary Importance, and Prevention and Control. This second edition includes separate chapters devoted to each of the taxonomic groups of insects and arachnids of medical or veterinary concern, including spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. Internationally recognized editors Mullen and Durden include extensive coverage of both medical and veterinary entomological importance. This book is designed for teaching and research faculty in medical and veterinary schools that provide a course in vector borne diseases and medical entomology; parasitologists, entomologists, and government scientists responsible for oversight and monitoring of insect vector borne diseases; and medical and veterinary school libraries and libraries at institutions with strong programs in entomology. Follows in the tradition of Herm's Medical and Veterinary Entomology The latest information on developments in entomology relating to public health and veterinary importance Two separate indexes for enhanced searchability: Taxonomic and Subject New to this edition: Three new chapters Morphological Adaptations of Parasitic Arthropods Forensic Entomology Molecular Tools in Medical and Veterinary Entomology 1700 word glossary Appendix of Arthropod-Related Viruses of Medical-Veterinary Importance Numerous new full-color images, illustrations and maps throughout




Tree Transgenesis


Book Description

Tree improvement is necessary to meet the growing demand for renewable wood resource and the time is ripe for a critical evaluation of the chances and challenges of tree transgenesis. This book provides an up-to-date review of the present state of genetic engineering of trees. Biosafety and risk assessment are treated in detail, and future experimental tasks are discussed. The book provides a sound basis for decision-making processes in politics.