Insect Endocrinology


Book Description

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is endocrinology, and this volume, Insect Endocrinology, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. Because this area has moved quickly since the original publication, articles in this new volume are revised, highlighting developments in the related area since its original publication. Insect Endocrinology covers the mechanism of action of insect hormones during growth and metamorphosis as well as the role of insect hormones in reproduction, diapause and the regulation of metabolism. Contents include articles on the juvenile hormones, circadian organization of the endocrine system, ecdysteroid chemistry and biochemistry, as well as new chapters on insulin-like peptides and the peptide hormone Bursicon. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas. - Articles selected by the known and respected editor-in-chief of the original major reference work, Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science - Newly revised contributions bring together the latest research in the quickly moving field of insect endocrinology - Review of the literature of the past five years is now included, as well as full use of data arising from the application of molecular technologies wherever appropriate




Insect Hormones and Bioanalogues


Book Description

The application of organic insecticides in the agrotechnical praxis resulted in a great and unexpected progress in the control of insect pests, and was of a great economical value all over the world. The widespread application of these agents, however, is also accompanied by negative effects. The principal drawback of classical insecticides consists in the lack of their specificity, the useful insects being killed together with insect pests. Furthermore, the broad-scale application for many years led to the formation of more resistant insect strains requiring higher and higher doses of insecticides. The residues of the mostly used chlorinated compounds accumulate in human and animal foods producing directly or indirectly harmful effects in human sub jects. The critical situation led in many developed countries to the restriction in the usage of some types of classical insecticides. Under these circumstances it is quite natural that novel routes for the control of insect pests are investigated. In this connection, attention has been paid especially to the insect endocrinology and insect hormones which regulate the admirable and in many regards specific development from the egg to the adult insect. The recent successful discoveries in this field are thus in close relation to the practical requirements. Isolation and identification of moulting hor mones and juvenile-hormone-like naturally occurring substances not only made possible an exact investigation of their physiological effects but also stimulated the chemical research.




Insect Hormones


Book Description

Although insect endocrinology is one of the oldest and most active branches of insect physiology, its classic general texts are long out of date, while its abundant primary literature provides little biological context in which to make sense of the discipline as a whole. In this book, H. Frederik Nijhout's goal is to provide a complete, concise, and up-to-date source for students and nonspecialists seeking an overview of the dynamic and wide-ranging science that insect endocrinology has become since its beginnings nearly eighty years ago in the study of insect metamorphosis. The author offers a comprehensive survey of the many roles that hormones play in the biology of insects. Among the topics discussed are the control of molting, metamorphosis, reproduction, caste determination in social insects, diapause, migration, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, diuresis, and behavior. The account features a summary of the most current and accurate thinking on the complex roles of ecdysone and juvenile hormone in the control of metamorphosis, a process still misunderstood and misrepresented in biological textbooks and many professional reviews. Throughout, the book's emphasis is on the biology of the organism and the ways in which physiological and developmental regulatory mechanisms are integrated into the insect's life cycle.




Endocrinology


Book Description

Maintaining the original goal of the first edition to integrate the basic science of endocrinology with its physiological and clinical principles, this new edition succinctly summarizes in 450 pages the latest findings on hormone secretion and hormone action, as well as all the most recent insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of hormonal disorders. Coverage extends across the entire spectrum of endocrinology-from mammalian cells, plants, and insects to animal models and human diseases-with much increased coverage of diabetes and metabolism. Highlights include cutting-edge discussions of appetite disorders, obesity, reproductive failure, control of thyroid function, hormone action in man and the lower species, and the mechanisms subserving hormone secretion.







Entomology


Book Description

Gillott’s thorough yet clear writing style continues to keep Entomology near the top of the class as a text for senior undergraduates, and for graduate students and professionals seeking an introduction to specific entomological topics. The author’s long-held belief that an introductory entomology course should present a balanced treatment of the subject is reflected in the continued arrangement of the book in four sections: Evolution and Diversity, Anatomy and Physiology, Reproduction and Development, and Ecology. For the third edition, all chapters have been updated. This includes not only the addition of new information and concepts but also the reduction or exclusion of material no longer considered "mainstream", so as to keep the book at a reasonable size. Based on exciting discoveries made during the previous decade, the topics of insect evolutionary relationships, semiochemicals, gas exchange, immune responses (including those of parasites and parasitoids), flight, and the management of pests have received particular attention in the preparation of the third edition. Overall, more than 30 new or significantly revised figures have been incorporated.




Insect Metamorphosis


Book Description

Insect Metamorphosis: From Natural History to Regulation of Development and Evolution explores the origin of metamorphosis, how it evolved, and how it is it regulated. The book discusses insect metamorphosis as a key innovation in insect evolution. With most of the present biodiversity on Earth composed of metamorphosing insects—approximately 1 million species currently described, with another 10-30 million still waiting to be discovered, the book delves into misconceptions and past treatments. In addition, the topic of integrating insect metamorphosis into the theory of evolution by natural selection as noted by Darwin in his On the Origin of Species is also discussed. Users will find this to be a comprehensive and updated review on insect metamorphosis, covering biological, physiological and molecular facets, with an emphasis on evolutionary aspects. - Features updated knowledge from the past decade on the mechanisms of action of juvenile hormone, the main doorkeeper of insect metamorphosis - Aids researchers in entomology or developmental biology dealing with specialized aspects of metamorphosis - Provides applied entomologists with recently updated data, especially on regulation, to better face the problems of pest control and management - Gives general evolutionary biologists context on the process of metamorphosis in its larger scope




Insect Growth Disruptors


Book Description

Advances in Insect Physiology is committed to publishing volumes containing comprehensive and in-depth reviews on all aspects of insect physiology. First published in 1963, these volumes are an essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists, insect neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists and insect biochemists. This volume is themed on small RNAs and RNAi in insects. Contains comprehensive and in-depth reviews. Essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists, insect neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists and insect biochemists. This volume is themed on small RNAs and RNAi in insects.




Insect Development and Evolution


Book Description

The male reproductive system and spermatogenesis -- The female reproductive system and oogenesis -- Sperm transfer, allocation, and use -- Sex determination -- Parthenogenesis -- Early embryogenesis -- Specification of the body plan in insect embryos -- Organogenesis -- Postembryonic development and life history -- Molting and metamorphosis -- Specification of the adult body pattern -- Hormones, molting, and metamorphosis -- Ontogeny and hexapod evolution.




Cell Growth


Book Description

Recent breakthroughs in the field of cell growth, particularly in the control of cell size, are reviewed by experts in the three major divisions of the field: growth of individual cells, growth of organs, and regulation of cell growth in the contexts of development and cell division. This book is an introductory overview of the field and should be adaptable as a textbook.