This book presents the discoveries made during nearly three decades of research on the parental shield bug, Parastrachia japonensis inhabiting Kyushu Island, Japan. P. japonensis has evolved a unique and fascinating life history, characterized by extreme behavioral and physiological adaptations that have culminated in a singularly dependent relationship with its lone host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Olacaceae), which is a generally scarce and unreliable resource. It is expected that the evolution of parental care behaviors in the strictly semelparous P. japonensis was more directly influenced by the benefit to females that arises from enhanced survivorship of current offspring, rather than any possible cost the females might incur in terms of reduced future reproductive success, because no future reproduction is possible. The authors explain how the different parental cares in this species enhance offspring survivorship in the context of the ecological conditions it has experienced over evolutionary time. The book begins with a recap of the earliest studies, the reports through 1991, and then introduces the many fascinating aspects of the life history, neurobiology, physiology and behavior of P. japonensis that have been newly discovered since, and those aspects that have been confirmed through experimentation over the past thirty years. This comprehensive review of information will be useful for comparative studies of parental care in other semelparous and iteroparous organisms experiencing both similar and different ecological constraints. The book will be of academic interest to undergraduate and graduate students of entomology, zoology, behavior, and behavioral ecology.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly method of pest control that integrates well into area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programmes. This book takes a generic, thematic, comprehensive, and global approach in describing the principles and practice of the SIT. The strengths and weaknesses, and successes and failures, of the SIT are evaluated openly and fairly from a scientific perspective. The SIT is applicable to some major pests of plant-, animal-, and human-health importance, and criteria are provided to guide in the selection of pests appropriate for the SIT. In the second edition, all aspects of the SIT have been updated and the content considerably expanded. A great variety of subjects is covered, from the history of the SIT to improved prospects for its future application. The major chapters discuss the principles and technical components of applying sterile insects. The four main strategic options in using the SIT - suppression, containment, prevention, and eradication - with examples of each option are described in detail. Other chapters deal with supportive technologies, economic, environmental, and management considerations, and the socio-economic impact of AW-IPM programmes that integrate the SIT. In addition, this second edition includes six new chapters covering the latest developments in the technology: managing pathogens in insect mass-rearing, using symbionts and modern molecular technologies in support of the SIT, applying post-factory nutritional, hormonal, and semiochemical treatments, applying the SIT to eradicate outbreaks of invasive pests, and using the SIT against mosquito vectors of disease. This book will be useful reading for students in animal-, human-, and plant-health courses. The in-depth reviews of all aspects of the SIT and its integration into AW-IPM programmes, complete with extensive lists of scientific references, will be of great value to researchers, teachers, animal-, human-, and plant-health practitioners, and policy makers.

For thousands of years, humans have found themselves vulnerable to plagues of desert locusts. Some 50 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia have been ravaged, at one time or another, by huge, devouring swarms of locusts. With the consequent, often total, destruction of crops and grazing, widespread hunger and starvation ensued. Colin Everard's book takes as its geographical focus the Horn of Africa, an area which throughout history has suffered catastrophically from locust plagues. Based on his own extensive experience in the region, Everard describes one of the greatest (albeit unsung) triumphs of the 20th century, namely, how the desert locust scourge has, at last, been virtually brought under control.

This lavishly illustrated book examines the distribution, ecology, conservation status, and biogeography of 176 species of dragonflies in the southern plains of the United States, where twelve ecoregions converge. The topics discussed, such as phenotypic variation and ecology, are applicable and of interest across the United States and much of north America, and will appeal to researchers and dragonfly enthusiasts alike. A series of maps, including a distributional map by specific locality of occurrence, indicate level of documentation and allow the reader to visualize the biogeographical associations of a given species. These maps also encourage citizen scientists to contribute documentation wherever they spend time in the field. Context-driven chapters, including one on the region’s rich paleontological history, blend environmental history and biogeography, giving the book a fresh perspective on the natural world while providing a rich summary of the odonates. Dragonflies at a Biographical Crossroads: The Odonata of Oklahoma and Complexities Beyond Its Borders will be sought out by dragonfly researchers and enthusiasts, entomologists, amateur naturalists, paleontologists, conservation biologists, educators, regional historians, and those seeking to meld the disciplines of cultural and environmental history with biology. It will also be readily accessible to the lay public. Dragonflies combine the visually stunning with acrobatic fireworks in ways no other insect can hope to combine.

Advances in Invertebrate (Neuro)Endocrinology: A Collection of Reviews in the Post-Genomic Era (2-volume set) provides an informative series of reviews from expert scientists who are at the forefront of their research into the endocrinology of invertebrates. These two volumes are timely and appropriate in this post-genomic era because of the rapid pace of change brought about by genome projects, functional genomics, and genetics (omics technologies). The volume shows the rich history and strong tradition of cutting-edge research using invertebrates that has opened up our broader understanding of comparative endocrinology and the evolution of regulatory pathways and systems. These reviews set the scene and context for this exciting new era of understanding that has come from this post-genomic revolution. This book undertakes the daunting task of covering most of the diverse endocrine systems that exist among invertebrates. The papers in this book will advance our knowledge of invertebrate endocrinology but also of endocrinology in general, making the book will be valuable to researchers and students.

Imagine a statistics book for bioassays written by a statistician. Next, imagine a statistics book for bioassays written for a layman. Bioassays with Arthropods, Third Edition offers the best of both worlds by translating the terse, precise language of the statistician into language used by the laboratory scientist. The book explains the statistical basis and analysis for each kind of quantal response bioassay in just the right amount of detail. The first two editions were a great reference for designing, conducting, and interpreting bioassays: this completely revised and updated third edition will also train the laboratory scientist to be an expert in estimation of dose response curves. New in the Third Edition: Introduces four new Windows and Apple-based computer programs (PoloJR, OptiDose, PoloMixture and PoloMulti) for the analyses of binary and multiple response analyses, respectively Replaces out-of-date GLIM examples with R program samples Includes a new chapter, Population Toxicology, and takes a systems approach to bioassays Expands the coverage of invasive species and quarantine statistics Building on the foundation set by the much-cited first two editions, the authors clearly delineate applications and ideas that are exceptionally challenging for those not already familiar with their use. They lead you through the methods with such ease and organization, that you suddenly find yourself readily able to apply concepts that you never thought you would understand. To order the PoloSuite computer software described in Bioassays with Arthropods, Third Edition, use the order form found at www.leora-software.com or contact the LeOra Software Company at [email protected].

Wang has gathered contributions from an impressive cohort of the world's most respected experts on longhorned beetles. Chapters review both basics of cerambycid taxonomy, mor- phology, and behavior (feeding, reproduction, and chemical ecology), as well as more applied concerns, such as laboratory rearing, pest control, and bio- security. Overall, this volume is a valuable contribution to the literature as a "one-stop shop" for readers seeking a comprehensive overview of longhorned beetles... It represents a tremendous effort on the part of Wang and the authors, and has resulted in a much-needed update to the literature. This volume is the only work of its kind available at this time, and is a valuable addition to the library of any scientist studying wood-boring beetles. - Ann M. Ray, Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio in The Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 94, 2019 There are more than 36,000 described species in the family Cerambycidae in the world. With the significant increase of international trade in the recent decades, many cerambycid species have become major plant pests outside their natural distribution range, causing serious environmental problems at great cost. Cerambycid pests of field, vine, and tree crops and of forest and urban trees cost billions of dollars in production losses, damage to landscapes, and management expenditures worldwide. Cerambycidae of the World: Biology and Pest Management is the first comprehensive text dealing with all aspects of cerambycid beetles in a global context. It presents our current knowledge on the biology, classification, ecology, plant disease transmission, and biological, cultural, and chemical control tactics including biosecurity measures from across the world. Written by a team of global experts, this book provides an entrance to the scientific literature on Cerambycidae for scientists in research institutions, primary industries, and universities, and will serve as an essential reference for agricultural and quarantine professionals in governmental departments throughout the world.

Methuselah Flies presents a trailblazing project on the biology of aging. It describes research on the first organisms to have their lifespan increased, and their aging slowed, by hereditary manipulation. These organisms are fruit flies from the species Drosophila melanogaster, the great workhorse of genetics. Michael Rose and his colleagues have been able to double the lifespan of these insects, and improved their health in numerous respects as well. The study of these flies with postponed aging is one of the best means we have of understanding, and ultimately achieving, the postponement of aging in humans. As such, the carefully presented detail of this book will be of value to research devoted to the understanding and control of aging.Methuselah Flies:* is a tightly edited distillation of twenty years of work by many scientists* contains the original publications regarding the longer-lived fruit flies* offers commentaries on each of the topics covered - new, short essays that put the individual research papers in a wider context* gives full access to the original data * captures the scientific significance of postponed aging for a wide academic audience

One of the themes of the 20th International Congress of Entomology held in Florence in August 1996 was ecology and population dynamics, with papers presented on single species dynamics, population interactions, and community ecology. This text contains a selection of the papers that were presented, and gives and late-1990s picture of the developing area. It should be of interest to biometricians and general population ecolgists, as well as entomologists.

The strike of a praying mantis's forelegs is so fast that, once they are set in motion, the mantis cannot control its aim. How does it ever manage to catch a fly? A moth negotiating the night air hears the squeak of a hunting bat on the wing, and tumbles out of harm's way. How?

Insects are ideal subjects for neurophysiological studies, and at its simplest level this classic book relates the activities of nerve cells to the activities of insects, something that had never been attempted when the book first appeared in 1963. In several elegant experiments--on the moth, the cockroach, and the praying mantis--Roeder shows how stimulus and behavior are related through the nervous system and suggests that the insect brain appears to control behavior by determining which of the various built-in activity patterns will appear in a given situation. This slim volume remains invaluable to an understanding of the nervous mechanisms responsible for insect behavior.

"A name is forever, or at least as long as taxonomy continues," Barry Bolton writes, and here are all the names, antique and modern, of all the ants that are or ever were--from the arctic to the tropical, the fossilized to the living, the mislabeled to the newly christened members of the family Formicidae. For every name that has ever been applied to ants, the book supplies a history and an account of current usage, together with a fully documented indication of the present-day classification. Its comprehensive bibliography provides references to original description, synonymy, homonymy, changes in rank, status, and availability, and alterations in generic status.

Organized by family group, genus group, and species group, this meticulously detailed but easily used volume is the ultimate resource for myrmecology. Along with Bolton's "Identification Guide to the Ant Genera of the World, it will be the essential reference for anyone, expert or amateur, with an interest in ants.

Bees are critically important for ecosystem function and biodiversity maintenance through their pollinating activity. Unfortunately, bee populations are faced with many threats, and evidence of a massive global pollination crisis is steadily growing. As a result, there is a need to understand and, ideally, predict how bees respond to pollution disturbance, to the changes over landscape gradients, and how their responses can vary in different habitats, which are influenced to different degrees by human activities. Modeling approaches are useful to simulate the behavior of whole population dynamics as well as to focus on important phenomena detrimental to bee-life history traits. They also allow simulation of how a disease or a pesticide can impact the survival and growth of a bee population. In Silico Bees provides a collection of computational methods to those primarily interested in the study of the ecology, ethology, and ecotoxicology of bees. The book presents different cases studies to enable readers to understand the significance and also the limitations of models in theoretical and applied bee research. The text covers modeling of honey bee society organization, infectious diseases in colonies, pesticide toxicity, chemical contamination of the hive, and more. Written by an international team of scientists, this book is of primary interest to those whose research or professional activity is directly concerned with the study of bees. It is also intended to provide graduate and post-graduate students with a clear and accessible text covering the main types of modeling approaches that can be used in terrestrial ecology and ecotoxicology.

Juvenile hormones (JHs) are a group of structurally related sesquiterpenes secreted by the insect corpora allata. They affect most insect life-cycle stages and physiological functions, including embryogenesis, larval and adult development, metamorphosis, reproduction, metabolism, diapause, polyethism, and migration. Juvenoids such as methoprene, hydroprene, kinoprene, pyriproxyfen, and fenoxycarb are man-made chemicals that mimic the structure and/or activity of JHs, selectively targeting and disrupting the endocrine system of insects. They are particularly suited as larvicides for the control of pest and disease vectoring insects such as mosquitoes. Juvenile Hormones and Juvenoids: Modeling Biological Effects and Environmental Fate discusses the various modeling approaches that can be used to study the mechanism of action of JHs in insects and to estimate the adverse effects and the environmental fate of the juvenoids that mimic their activity. This book is the third of the QSAR in Environmental and Health Sciences series, but the first dedicated to the use of QSAR and other in silico techniques to provide these insights into JHs and their analogs. With contributions by an international team of scientists, the book begins with a historical survey of JHs and juvenoids. It then discusses biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids followed by chapters covering JH activity such as morph-specific JH titers in crickets, and JH analog activity including soldier-specific organ development in termites and the role of methoprene in gene transcription. The book examines modeling approaches applied to resistance to JH analogs, to population dynamics of nontarget species in the presence of juvenoids, and to SAR and QSAR of JH mimics. The book concludes with a discussion on the use of multicriteria analysis for selecting insecticides for vector control.

Insects such as cockroaches, mosquitoes and bed-bugs are usually not highly sought amongst travellers or recreationists, yet each year, collectors, butterfly enthusiasts, dragonfly-hunters and apiarists collect, visit, document and raise insects for recreational purposes. Illustrating a range of human-insect encounters from an interdisciplinary perspective, this book provides the first insight into the booming industry of insect recreation. Case studies and examples demonstrate the appeal of insects, ranging from the captivating beauty of butterflies to the curious fascination of locust swarms, and challenge the notion that animals lacking anthropomorphic features hold little or no interest for humans. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on the innovators, the educators, the dedicated researchers and activists who, through collaboration across fields ranging from entomology to sociology and anthropology, have brought insects from the recreational fringes to the forefront of many conservation and leisure initiatives.

Insects are the most diverse and abundant animals that share our world, and conservation initiatives are increasingly needed and being implemented globally, to safe guard the wealth of individual species. This book provides sufficient background information, illustrated by examples from many parts of the world, to enable more confident and efficient progress towards the conservation of these ecologically indispensable animals. Writing for graduate students, academic researchers and professionals, Tim New describes the major ingredients for insect species management and conservation, and how these may be integrated into effective practical management and recovery plans.

Discussing the range of effects of pesticides on food and human safety, water quality, wildlife, and pest management, this book explores the agricultural, economic, and regulatory factors that affect pesticide use. It examines crop and pest ecology, integrated pest management principles, and emerging analytical tools to improve the efficacy and cost-efficiency of pest control. Expert contributions describe the current status of pesticides issues and those related to pest management. The book summarizes advances and trends in the crop protection industry, such as integrated pest management, hybrid seed and generic pesticide production, improved pesticide formulations, and plant biotechnology.

The use of forensic entomology has become established as a global science. Recent efforts in the field bridge multiple disciplines including, but not limited to, microbiology, chemistry, genetics, and systematics as well as ecology and evolution. The first book of its kind, Forensic Entomology: International Dimensions and Frontiers provides an inclusive summary of worldwide research on this body of knowledge that integrates aspects of a wide range of scientific realms. The book first reviews the history of forensic entomology, its accomplishments, and future challenges in nations around the world. It then provides perspectives of other scientific disciplines that are shaping the questions being addressed in the field. With an emphasis on medicolegal investigations, the book: Provides countrywide and regionally relevant syntheses on the current state and future of forensic entomology worldwide Presents insight from up-and-coming entomologists who offer new perspectives on the field while acknowledging their predecessors' contributions and foundational work Highlights both established and newly emerging areas of forensic entomology research that provide the foundation and future of this exciting discipline Discusses the success of forensic entomology and identifies key challenges to current work and practice Supplies an internationally cohesive perspective to emerging multidisciplinary dimensions and frontiers of forensic entomology The book is designed to provide readers with a firm appreciation of the history of forensic entomology and the scientists who built its foundation in each of the countries presented. In doing so, it is destined to inspire new and exciting global collaboration among established researchers and newcomers to the field.

Recent research has added much to our knowledge of the nature and significance of chemoreception in insects. This text deals with both pure and applied aspects at the ecological level, and goes on to discuss the mechanisms by which insects detect and respond to chemicals at the molecular level. Throughout the text reference is made to appropriate techniques in both field and laboratory situations in order to provide an insight into the means of investigating the subject and to indicate the areas of likely future advances. Plant-insect interactions are considered in terms of plant chemical defences and of the co-evolved insect response to these. The role of pheromones is described with an account of the factors governing their synthesis and secretion. A chapter on pheromone gland morphology is also included. The electrophysiological approach is described and also the novel use of biochemical techniques to ascertain the mode of action of plant and insect-produced chemicals. Practical applications reported include the use of natural toxins in plant protections and the exploitation of pest-resistant crop varieties. This book should be of interest to fundamental and applied entomologists, agronomists, chemists and workers in the fields of chemoreception and chemical ecology.

The book brings to light the most recent findings on the biogeography, biodiversity, host plant induction and natural history of gall inducing insects in the Neotropical region. We attempt to summarize the work done so far in the region, promote several syntheses on many aspects such as host induction, host specialization, distribution among the several vegetation types and zones, the origin of super hosts and the mechanisms leading to geographical patterns in their distribution. Furthermore, the book constructs new perspectives for deeper understanding of galling insect evolutionary ecology and biogeopgraphy in the region.

This volume of Insects of Hawaii is a systematic treatment of the native bees of the Hawaiian Islands. Believed to be descendants of a single female that arrived in the ancient archipelago millions of years ago, the native yellow-faced bees are prime examples of extraordinary evolutionary radiation. Despite their evolutionary and ecological importance, no comprehensive work has been published on them until now. A total of fifty-nine species are recognized, including nine new species. Detailed keys for the identification of species are provided for males and, for the first time, females. The history of collections of the bees, their taxonomy, attributes for dispersal, biology, ecology, and relations to flower plants are discussed. Treatments of each species include annotated synonymy and other references; diagnosis of identifying features and general distribution; description of male and female; localities where first collected and recent collections; flower records; and remarks on taxonomic problems and other information. Line drawings of the male head and genitalia are included to facilitate identification, and all recent collection records are provided in an appendix.

This book describes about 30 years of theoretical, empirical, and experimental work on butterfly sperm competition. It considers the reproductive morphology and sperm utilisation interests of males and females, which shape the mating tactics of each sex. Females of most butterfly species mate multiple times throughout their lives. The reasons are explored, as well as the numerous adaptations males have developed to prevent future mating and fertilisation by the sperm of other males. In particular, this volume focuses on the role of apyrene sperm. Eupyrene and apyrene sperm dimorphism is most likely a key factor in sperm competition, and the study in butterflies promotes understanding of sexual selection across animal species with sperm polymorphism. This book, describing the evolutionary causes and consequences of the sperm competition in butterflies, is a recommended read for students of behavioural ecology.

Following an introductory section on How to use this book, this work is divided into two parts. The first contains illustrated instructions on breeding equipment and techniques and a breeder's diary, while the second gives detailed rearing instructions by species, or for closely related species. The book also contains a select bibliography of works on British and European Lepidoptera and a complete dual index to both insects and plants.

This book provides a complete overview of cutting-edge research on insect sex pheromones and pheromone communication systems. The coverage ranges from the chemistry, biosynthesis, and reception of sex pheromones to the control of odor-source searching behavior, and from molecules to the application of research findings to robotics. The book both summarizes the progress of studies conducted using Bombyx mori and several groups of moths and reviews sex pheromones of some non-lepidopteran insect groups of agricultural importance. Attention is drawn to recent findings on elaborate neural information processing in the brain in male moths and to the importance of olfactory receptors specifically tuned to sex pheromone molecules. Featuring contributions from leading experts on the topic, this book will be a unique and valuable resource for researchers and students in the fields of entomology, chemical ecology, insect physiology and biochemistry, evolution, biomimetics, and bioengineering. In addition to researchers, general insect lovers will find the book fascinating for its descriptions of the marvelous abilities of insects and the underlying mechanisms involved.

This book serves both as an update of current technologies that have been proven successful for engineering insect tolerant crops and an overview of new technologies that are being pursued for the development of new genetically engineered crops in the future.