Hymenoptera


Book Description

The Hymenoptera is one of the largest orders of terrestrial anthropods and compromises the sawflies, wasps, ants, bees and parasitic wasps. This book examines the current state of all major areas of research for this important group of insects, including systematics, biological control, behaviour and use in education.




The Structure and Dynamics of Geographic Ranges


Book Description

No species occurs everywhere. Indeed, the majority are absent from most places, and where they do occur they are usually quite rare. Gaston discusses the structure of these distributions - the structure of the geographic ranges of species. Gaston is particularly concerned with the factors that determine the limits to a species' geographic range, how the sizes of those ranges vary, and patterns in that variation. Also considered are the distribution of individuals amongst those sites where a species does occur and what determines that distribution, and some of the practical implications of all these. Both in a pure and applied context, ecologists need a broader perspective on their subject matter than has historically prevailed. This book provides one such perspective. A must have book for any researchers and graduate students studying macroecology, biogeography and conservation biology.




Insect Biodiversity


Book Description

Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects Volume Two of Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society presents an entirely new, companion volume of a comprehensive resource for the most current research on the influence insects have on humankind and on our endangered environment. With contributions from leading researchers and scholars on the topic, the text explores relevant topics including biodiversity in different habitats and regions, taxonomic groups, and perspectives. Volume Two offers coverage of insect biodiversity in regional settings, such as the Arctic and Asia, and in particular habitats including crops, caves, and islands. The authors also include information on historical, cultural, technical, and climatic perspectives of insect biodiversity. This book explores the wide variety of insect species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human population, and examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect species will have on the world. This important text: Offers the most up-to-date information on the important topic of insect biodiversity Explores vital topics such as the impact on insect biodiversity through habitat loss and degradation and climate change With its companion Volume I, presents current information on the biodiversity of all insect orders Contains reviews of insect biodiversity in culture and art, in the fossil record, and in agricultural systems Includes scientific approaches and methods for the study of insect biodiversity The book offers scientists, academics, professionals, and students a guide for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of insects, highlighting the need to sustainably manage ecosystems in an ever-changing global environment.




Braconidae of the Middle East (Hymenoptera)


Book Description

Braconidae of the Middle East (Hymenoptera): Taxonomy, Distribution, Biology, and Biocontrol Benefits of Parasitoid Wasps provides the latest and most comprehensive knowledge of parasitoid wasp species. The highest concentration of these species is native to, or found in, the Middle East. This book covers the distribution of these species across the Palearctic region and their widespread global benefits as natural biocontrol agents. Each chapter covers a braconid subfamily, providing introductory information on its biology and phylogeny, total number of species, global distribution, and how they can be used to control pests and invasive insect species. In addition, this book discusses the importance of integrated pest management, specifically how Braconidae can be used for one-time or repeated introduction to natural enemies in suppressing pest populations. Finally, each chapter offers an illustrative key for readers to visualize and identify each species. - Offers braconid taxonomy, biology, phylogeny and host-parasitoid relationships - Provides illustrated identification keys to visualize and identify each species - Includes global distribution of braconids in other regions - Discusses braconid benefits as natural biocontrol agents




Insect Biodiversity


Book Description

Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society brings togetherleading scientific experts to assess the impact insects have onhumankind and the earth’s fragile ecosystems. It examines whyinsect biodiversity matters and how the rapid evolution of insectspecies is affecting us all. Insects and related arthropods make up more than 50 percent ofthe known animal diversity globally, yet a lack of knowledge aboutinsects is hindering the advance of science and society. This bookexplores the wide variety in type and number of insect species andtheir evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments onhow insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidlyexpanding human population, and also examine the consequences thatan increased loss of insect species will have on the world. The book concludes that a better understanding of the biologyand ecology of insects is the only way to sustainably manageecosystems in an ever changing global environment.




Biodiversity and Insect Pest Management


Book Description

A pressing issue: Biodiversity and Insect pest Management confronts the indiscriminate use of pesticides, offering a range of contributions from Eminent Scientists who present alternative solutions and new ideas to eliminate this problem.




Avian Malaria and Related Parasites in the Tropics


Book Description

The Tropics are home to the greatest biodiversity in the world, but tropical species are at risk due to anthropogenic activities, mainly land use change, habitat loss, invasive species, and pathogens. Over the past 20 years, the avian malaria and related parasites (Order: Haemosporida) systems have received increased attention in the tropical regions from a diverse array of research perspectives. However, to date no attempts have been made to synthesize the available information and to propose new lines of research. This book provides such a synthesis by not only focusing on the antagonistic interactions, but also by providing conceptual chapters on topics going from avian haemosporidians life cycles and study techniques, to chapters addressing current concepts on ecology and evolution. For example, a chapter synthesizing basic biogeography and ecological niche model concepts is presented, followed by one on the island biogeography of avian haemosporidians. Accordingly, researchers and professionals interested in these antagonistic interaction systems will find both an overview of the field with special emphasis on the tropics, and access to the necessary conceptual framework for various topics in ecology, evolution and systematics. Given its conceptual perspective, the book will appeal not only to readers interested in avian haemosporidians, but also to those more generally interested in the ecology, evolution and systematics of host-parasite interactions.




Interchanges of Insects between Agricultural and Surrounding Landscapes


Book Description

The chapters in this book were developed from some of the lectures presented at a sym posium at the XX International Congress of Entomology held in Florence, Italy in August 1996. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss the impact of evolving modern agricultural landscapes on the insect species, of both economic and ecological importance, that utilize that habitat. Agricultural policy, to some extent, influences the choices that farmers make and thereby the shape of the agricultural landscape. In order to move toward more sustainable agro ecosystems future policy makers will have to consider the history of land use, consumer demands for both environmentally sound and affordable products, and the conservation of biological diversity. I would hope the information contained in this book will help stimulate discussion about the consequences of policy decisions on our agricultural landscapes and their insect inhabitants. I thank all the speakers from the symposium and in particular those that have been able to contribute chapters to this book. There have been many delays, most due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. I would like to express my appreciation to Gloria Verhey and Patrick Dumont for taking care of the book in these final months. CHAPTER I INTERCHANGES OF INSECTS BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL AND SURROUNDING LANDSCAPES BARBARA EKBOM Department of Entomology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden 1.




Checklist of the Hemiptera of Canada and Alaska


Book Description

Toutes les espèces d'hémiptères (y compris les homoptères) signalées au Canada et en Alaska sont recensées dans cette publication. L'information comprend aussi des données de répartition par territoire politique.




Hymenoptera and Biodiversity


Book Description

Increasing attention has been focused on biodiversity in recent years, based on a number of arguments to justify the conservation of the world's flora and fauna. Such arguments may be economic - that species may have potential for food or medicine - or ecological - that the extinction of any species affects the overall ecological balance. Little attention, however, has been focused on which groups have the greatest impact on maintaining diversity. Hymenoptera is one of these groups. It not only forms a major component of diversity itself, but is vital in sustaining diversity in other groups. Hymenoptera species (bees, wasps, ants and sawflies) are major plant pollinators, seed dispersers and parasitoids and predators of other arthropods (and hence important in biological control). This volume therefore tackles an important subject and concentrates on three key issues: how species of Hymenoptera affect diversity in other organisms; whether Hymenoptera is a group prone to extinction; and the consequences if Hymenoptera species are differentially removed from terrestrial ecosystems. The book is essential reading for entomologists and those concerned with biodiversity and conservation.