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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Invertebrates > Insects (entomology)
A survey of the development and practice of butterfly conservation
in south east Australia, tracing evolution of the science through a
series of cases from focus on single subspecies through increasing
levels of ecological complexity to critical biotopes and
communities. The book summarises much previously scattered
information, and provides access to much regional information of
considerable interest to practitioners elsewhere.
This timely volume presents a comprehensive overview of the
behavioral and physiological mechanisms underlying insect feeding.
The single source for up-to-date information on the subject, it
features contributions from the most authoritative scientists in
the field worldwide. Taking an accessible approach focusing on the
sequential stages of the feeding process, Regulatory Mechanisms in
Insect Feeding explores the principles regulating feeding, and it
offers information necessary for the development of more effective
and environmentally safe methods to control the feeding of pest
insects. The authors incorporate a spectrum of information in areas
ranging from neurophysiology to insect control. An inclusive
reference that reflects recent expansion and advances in the field,
this book considers the problems encountered by insects when
feeding on different types of food, as well as their adaptations
for dealing with the problems introduces the cyclic nature of
feeding activity and its components and provides the framework for
the discussion of various control mechanisms discusses the
underlying regulatory mechanisms of feeding in both the short and
long terms in insects with a diversity of feeding habits
synthesizes concepts and details of the basic mechanisms underlying
insect feeding behavior that are essential for the development of
pest management methods. Regulatory Mechanisms in Insect Feeding is
the ideal text for graduate courses in entomology and zoology with
a special focus on insect behavior, physiology, neurobiology, and
control. It is also a valuable resource for ecologists interested
in insect-plant and insect-animal interactions, for scientists
concerned with the mechanismsbehind the physiology and behavior of
feeding, and for those working in crop protection and pest
management.
While we may have always assumed that insects employ auditory
communication, our understanding of it has been impeded by various
technical challenges. In comparison to the study of an insect's
visual and olfactory expression, research in the area of acoustic
communication has lagged behind. Filling this void, Insect Sounds
and Communication is the first multi-author volume to present a
comprehensive portrait on this elusive subject. The text includes
32 chapters written by top experts from all corners of the globe.
Divided into two major sections, this groundbreaking text starts
with a general introduction to insect sounds and communication that
leads into a discussion of the technical aspects of recording and
analyzing sounds. It then considers the functioning of the sense
organs and sensory systems involved in acoustic behavior, and goes
on to investigate the impact that variables such as body size and
temperature have on insect sounds and vibrations. Several chapters
are devoted to various evolutionary and ecological aspects of
insect communication, and include rare information on
seldom-studied groups, including Neuropterida and Plecoptera. The
second section of the book includes chapters on communication and
song repertoires of a wide diversity of insects, including
Heteroptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Psylloidea, Diptera, Coleoptera, and
Hymenoptera . Insect Sounds and Communication is packaged with a
DVD, which holds sound and video recordings of many of the insects
discussed throughout the text, as well as many full color
illustrations not included in the printed text. The DVD also
features an unabridged discussion in French of the contribution of
the famous French cicadologist, MichelBoulard.
Insects, and their close relatives, the arachnids, centipedes,
millipedes and woodlice, make ideal material for study by the
recreational microscopist. Moreover for the entomologist, the
addition of the use of the microscope to their tool kit adds a
whole new dimension to their study, revealing in finest detail the
appearance and structure of these tiny creatures. This book reveals
the basics of insect microscopy, explaining what equipment is
needed and how to get the best out of it. Topics covered include
insects and their relatives; trapping insects for study;
dissection, slide mounting publishing your work.
Planthoppers include some of the most devastating pests of major
agricultural crops throughout the world. One species, the rice
brown planthopper, is among the most economically important pests
in Asia. In past decades, government policies encouraged the
control of rice planthoppers with synthetic pesticides, a tactic
which promoted insecticide resistance and often led to the
pesticide-induced resurgence of pest populations. To deter
planthopper outbreaks, a more ecologically sound management
strategy is being implemented, one based on a thorough
investigation of population dynamics, natural enemies, and the
genetics of host plant and insecticide adaptation. In the natural
habitats of North America and Europe, scientists have also used
planthoppers as model organisms to test ecological and evolutionary
theory. The consequence of these diverse studies is an extremely
scattered literature on planthoppers that has never been
synthesized from an ecological perspective. This volume summarizes
what is known about planthopper ecology and biological control. It
takes a theoretical approach yet is deeply concerned with the
application of theory to the practical problems of pest management.
A multi-authored work on the basic biology of Asian honeybees,
written by expert specialists in the field, this book highlights
phylogeny, classification, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA,
biogeography, genetics, physiology, pheromones, nesting,
self-assembly processes, swarming, migration and absconding,
reproduction, ecology, foraging and flight, dance languages,
pollination, diseases/pests, colony defensiveness and natural
enemies, honeybee mites, and interspecific interactions.
Comprehensively covering the widely dispersed literature published
in European as well as Asian-language journals and books,
"Honeybees of Asia" provides an essential foundation for future
research.
Insects are the major component of the world's biodiversity. By
their vast numbers of both species and individuals, they are vital
determinants of the terrestrial ecological processes.
Quantitatively, insects are important pointers for the species-rich
geographical areas. Qualitatively, they are also important, whether
the subjects of conservation themselves or as tools for identifying
biotic areas with high endemism. "Insect Conservation Biology"
covers a wide range of topics from single species to landscape
conservation, and from rare butterflies to the benefits-and-risks
of biocontrol agents. The approach is both positive and realistic,
with insects being discussed in the contexts of sustainable
development, agroecology and monitoring environmental change.
Ethical issues surrounding insects are also considered as well as
preservation technology and restoration ecology. Conservation
circles have given too little attention to the ecological
significance of insects, while entomologists have been employed
mostly to control a tiny minority of species of insect pests. The
realms of conservationist and entomologist are brought together in
this book. This book should be of interest to conservation
managers/biologists, entomologists, ecologists, and environmental
scientists interested in biological diversity.
This volume embraces the history of insect palaeontology, methods
for studying fossils, the taphonomic processes leading to their
formation, the diagnostic features of all insect orders, both
extant and extinct, the major fossils of each order, and the
implications that can be drawn from the palaeoentomological record
about past ecology and climates.
JOHN G. HILDEBRAND Research on insect olfaction is important for at
least two reasons. First, the olfactory systems of insects and
their arthropod kin are experi mentally favourable models for
studies aimed at learning about general principles of olfaction
that apply to vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Detailed
comparisons between the olfactory pathways in vertebrates and
insects have revealed striking similarities of functional
organisation, physiol ogy, and development, suggesting that
olfactory information is processed through neural mechanisms more
similar than different in these evolution arily remote creatures.
Second, insect olfaction itself is important because of the
economic and medical impact of insects that are agricultural pests
and disease vectors, as well as positive impact of beneficial
species, such as the bees and moths responsible for pollination and
production of honey. The harm or benefit attributable to an insect
is a function of what it does - that is, of its behaviour - which
is shaped by sensory information. Often olfaction is the key
modality for control of basic insect behaviour, such as ori
entation and movement toward, and interactions with, potential
mates, appro priate sites for oviposition, and sources of food. Not
surprisingly, therefore, much work on insect olfaction has been
motivated by long-term hopes of using knowledge of this pivotal
sensory system to design strategies for mon itoring and managing
harmful species and fostering the welfare of beneficial ones."
In Loe Bar and the Sandhill Rustic Moth, Adrian Spalding examines
the survival of plants and animals on Loe Bar, a shingle beach on
the coast of Cornwall, in the context of its history, geomorphology
and exposure to the Atlantic environment. He develops these themes
within a detailed study of the Sandhill Rustic moth that endures
this harsh environment where storm surges, high salinity, high
temperatures, strong winds and burial by sand affect the wildlife
that occurs there.
This book is mainly directed towards postgraduate students and
professionals in the field of research and implementation of
integrated pest and disease management programmes in greenhouse
crops. After presenting the major pests and diseases that affect
greenhouse vegetable and ornamental crops, several chapters deal
with the tools for designing and implementing IP&DM in
protected cultivation with particular emphasis on biological
control. Current implementation and the future of IP&DM in the
most important protected crops world-wide are presented in the
concluding chapters. Protected cultivation is practised in many
hundreds of thousands of hectares throughout the world under quite
different social, economic and technical conditions. Contributions
to the book reflect such a diversity of situations: from the
high-technology glasshouses of northern Europe and America to the
simple plastic tunnels of the Mediterranean area and temperate
eastern Asia. Furthermore, the editors have entrusted each chapter
to authors whose activity and perspectives could be complementary:
pathologists and entomologists, from private and public sectors,
and from differentiated geographical regions. Probably no book
published to date has offered such a diverse yet integrated
approach to pest and disease control in greenhouse crops. The book
originated from an international course taught at the International
Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies in Zaragoza,
Spain. The authors are specialists from universities, research
institutions and companies in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and
Oceania.
Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Insect-Plant
Relationships (Pau 1986)
Volumes I and II of this world catalogue of dragon flies provide a
survey about the system of the group, their geographic distribution
and the most important specific literature. In this catalogue, taxa
are methodized on supraspecific level, below which specific and
intraspecific taxa are presented in alphabetical order.
The 2nd International Symposium on Trichoptera was held at the
University of Reading, England, 25-29 July 1977. It attracted 68
participants from 22 countries, which was a gratifying response to
the circulation of about 250 workers on caddis flies. It was H.
MALICKY who appreciated the need for a specialized meeting of this
kind and organized the 1st International Symposium on Trichoptera,
which was held at Lunz am See, Austria, 16-20 September 1974. This
volume of Proceedings includes 38 papers; all except one were
presented and discussed in the sessions listed in the programme.
The papers were given in a lecture theatre of the Palmer Building,
and demonstrations were laid out in a laboratory of the Department
of Zoology where members met for their mprning and afternoon
breaks. Members were accommodated in St Patrick's Hall, one of the
University Halls of Residence. They were the guests of the
University at an informal reception on 25 July. On the afternoon of
27 July an excursion was made to the River Lambourn at Bagnor near
NeWbUry. This chalk stream has been the subject of an ecological
study by a team from the Department of Zoology since 1970. The
excursion was also an opportunity to see something of the local
caddis fauna, and to do some collecting. The final session on 29
July, under the chairmanship of G. B. WIGGINS, was followed by a
discussion on future plans."
Brentid beetles are in Northern Europe practically equivalent to
the speciose genus "Apion," a group of small, rostrate,
phytophagous beetles of weevil-like appearance, but easily
separated from genuine curculionid weevils by the short scape to
the antennae. This book, written by one of the foremost experts on
European Apion, identifies and describes the 134 species of
brentids known from the British Isles and Continental Europe north
of 52 (0)N. For each species is given up-to-date information on the
taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution, life habits, food plants and
parasites. Occurrence by provinces is documented for the 94 species
found in Fennoscandia and Denmark. The introductory part provides
general information on the group's taxonomic history, morphology of
all life stages, life history and economic importance, and some
practical hints on how to collect, preserve and identify specimens.
The book is richly illustrated with original line drawings by the
author and eight plates showing no less than 58 representative
species skillfully depicted in colour by the coleopterist, Dr
Michael Hansen. Additional features include lists of food plants
and parasites, an extensive list of literature and an index.
Acridids (grasshoppers and locusts) can range from being rare
curiosities to abundant menaces. Some are threatened with
extinction and become subjects of intensive conservation efforts,
while others are devastating pests and become the objects of
massive control programmes. Even within a species, there are times
when the animal is so abundant that its crushed masses cause the
wheels of trains to skid (the Rocky Mountain grasshopper,
Melanoplus spretus Walsh in western North America in the 1860s and
I 870s), while at other times the animal is alarmingly scarce (the
Rocky Mountain grasshopper went extinct in the early 1900s). Why
are there these extremes in one insect family, and even in a single
species? The NATO workshop examined this paradox and its
implications for Environmental Security, which must address both
the elements of land use (agricultural production and pest
management) and conservation of biodiversity. The reconciliation of
these objectives clearly demands a critical assessment of current
knowledge and policies, identification of future research, and
close working relationships among scientists. Insects can present
two clear faces, as well as the intervening gradation. These
extremes require us to respond in two ways: conservation of scarce
species and suppression of abundant (harmful) species. But perhaps
most important, these opposite poles also provide the opportunity
for an exchange of information and insight.
The behaviour of these bees has been adapted to some extent to meet
beekeeping requirements but few advances have been made in altering
their behaviour so that honey and wax production is increased. Bee
pheromone research aims to identify the pheromones and make
analogous synthetic chemicals thus allowing the control of the
colony's activities and enhancing honey production. This book
evaluates the present state of knowledge of each known pheromone,
discusses the pheromones of the stingless bees and describes the
effect of pheromones on the social organization and mating
behaviour of bumblebees. Suggestions are made for further and
different types of research into pheromones. The book should be of
interest to zoologists, entomologists and general biologists.
Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, eating their way through acres and acres of citrus and other fruits at an alarming rate and forcing food and agriculture agencies to spend millions of dollars in control and management measures. But until now, the study of fruit flies has been traditionally biased towards applied aspects (e.g., management, monitoring, and mass rearing)-understandable, given the tremendous economic impact of this species. This work is the first that comprehensively addresses the study of the phylogeny and the evolution of fruit fly behavior. An international group of highly renowned scientists review the current state of knowledge and include considerable new findings on various aspects of fruit fly behavior, phylogeny and related subjects. In the past, the topics of phylogeny and evolution of behavior were barely addressed, and when so, often superficially. Fruit Flies (Tephritidae): Phylogeny and Evolution of Behavior is a definitive treatment, covering all behaviors in a broad range of tephritids. This volume is divided into eight sections:
When Franklin published her book on cyst nematodes in 1951, the
cyst nematodes were already known as serious pests of brassicas,
cereals, potatoes and sugar beets. However, at that time this group
of nematode, with about 12 species, was considered tobe largely
temperate in distribu tion. Now a total of 105 species (including
those that are considered as synonyms or species inquirende by some
or all) within six genera of cyst nematodes have been described
from temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions and at least five
species are important constraints to crop produc tion in tropical
agriculture. The previous impression of localization of cyst
nematodes in the temperate region was seemingly an artifact due to
a greater concentration of nematologists in the temperate regions.
Based on my own experience of working in several Asian and African
countries, I believe that many more undescribed species are present
in the tropical countries of Asia and Africa, and probably in other
tropical regions. Most growers, extension workers, and research
managers in these regions are still not aware of the possible harm
of presence of these nematodes in their agricultural soils. The
cyst nematodes are perhaps smaller than the smallest available
computer chip but they are very well programmed to survive and pro
pagate despite severe hardships. These nematodes are very selective
in their choice of food; about 50% of known species are parasites
of plants mainly in the families Poaceae and Fabaceae."
This volume of the Subcellular Biochemistry series is the result of
the long-standing research interest of the editor in the molecular
mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease and other amyloid
diseases, indicated also by the earlier book in the series (Volume
38), devoted to Alzheimer's disease. The broad coverage within the
present amyloidogenesis book represents an attempt to collate
current knowledge relating to the proteins and peptides involved in
most of the known amyloid diseases, together with some
amyloid/fibril-forming proteins and peptides that are not involved
in diseases. Thus, the range of topics included is comprehensive
and furthermore it was thought appropriate to include both basic
science and clinical presentation of the subjects under discussion.
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