Few branches of the biological sciences have developed to such an extent as has ecology in the recent decades. The successful development of this science is directly related to need to create a sound scientific basis by which we can control our diminishing natural resources and integrate this with the control of biological systems of the component species. Studies on the bioenergetics of ecosystems, as well as on the home ostatic mechanisms functioning at the populations and biocenoses levels are of great importance in this respect. The results of these studies are very significant in forestry management which deals with multiannual tree communities - forest stands. It is particularly important in this of the necessity for the possible respect for economic planning, in view prolonged maintenance of forest biocenoses as stable systems. Neither in the present nor in the immediate future can be protection of forest ecosystems consisting of natural plant and animal communities be achieved by the cultivation of resistant forms or the intensification of chemical intervention."

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.

The nature and diversity of presentations at the second International Conference on Insect Neurochemistry and Neurophysiology (ICINN--86) held at the University of Maryland on August 4-6. 1986, attest to the vital ity and broad scope of research in insect neuroscience. The present vol ume is a written account of the invited lectures, contributed papers, and posters presented at the conference, and as such, serves as a fair indica tor of the trends in current research in this field here and abroad. The principal portion of this book consists of seven review papers that were presented by invited speakers. Although the topics vary wide ly, they reflect on and emphasize the main theme of the conference, i. e., the nature and function of molecular messengers that communicate be meen the central nervous system and organs or tissues involved in the growth, development, reproduction, and behavior of insects. This empha sis is continued in the following three sections on neurochemistry, neuro physiology, and neuroanatomy, although no conscious effort was made by the organizers to highlight these particular fields of neuroscience. It is evident that the recent advances in both physical and chemical analyti cal techniques have made possible the acquisition of structurally defined probes, the long sought-after tools for unraveling the secrets of endogen ous communication. Each section of short papers derived from the oral and poster presentations at the conference is prefaced by an overview that highlights and summarizes the section's content."

Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium held at Zvikovske podhradi, September 2-8, 1984

The first book on entomophagy written in this manner, Edible Insects of the World is an enumeration of 2,141 species of edible insects. For the reader's convenience, insect names are arranged much like a dictionary, first by taxonomic group and then by country. In addition to taxonomic and location information, entries contain applicable details about the history of entomophagy, collecting, cooking, and medicinal uses.

The first edition of this book rapidly topped the list of bestsellers and has continued to sell well, turning up in places as far away as German schlosses, Brisbane bedsides and Canadian log cabins! This latest edition brings the story of biting midges up to date with new material on the Highland midge, its biology and why it bites. Written in a highly readable but informed way, it describes how and why the midge plays such a dominant role in the ecology and human culture of the Highlands, not least in keeping the worst of human depredations under control. Armed with this book, you should be able to enjoy the splendours of the Highland summer without quite so many bites! Illustrated with cartoons by BAX.

This text provides an introductory account of the physiology of insects, intelligible to any reader with an elementary knowledge of biology. It should be of interest to undergraduate students of biology, entomology and agriculture.

The global drive towards sustainability and improved animal health means there is a greater need for development of novel functional ingredients for the feed industry. As the requirements for protein for livestock feed and human consumption grows, the use of insect products as animal feed has gained increasing attention. Covering global production systems of insect protein, oil and chitin, as well as co-products from this industry, this book: - Considers in-depth nutritional and safety aspects of insects for feed. - Reviews suitability of insects as feed for different animal species and life stages. - Examines current knowledge of the value of insect-rearing residues as biofertilizers for crop health. - Identifies the challenges related to regulation, legislation, consumer perception and acceptance, and commercialization of insects. - Provides interviews with established and early-stage innovative companies producing insect protein for feed. Including a focus on practices such as waste valorization, this book takes a holistic look at how insects could contribute to the sustainability of livestock production on a global scale. Providing an up-to-date reference for research scientists, nutritionists, and veterinarians, as well as prospective insect farmers, it will also be of interest to those with a broader curiosity towards climate change, sustainability, and the circular economy.

Cockroaches are ideal subjects for laboratory investigation at all educational levels. Compared with many other laboratory animals, cockroaches are easily and inexpensively maintained and cultured and require relatively little space. They are hardy and are readily available. The purpose of this book is to provide background material and experimental leads for utilizing cockroaches in the teaching laboratory and in designing research projects. The level of difficulty of the experiments varies according to the depth of understanding desi red by the instructor. In most cases at least a part of each experiment or technique can be incorporated into the laboratory component of elementary, high school or college curriculum. Sections of the lab book are appropriate for courses in Animal Behavior, Entomology, Organismic Biology and Insect Physiology. Aside from this main purpose, the book also provides a wealth of experimental ideas and techniques for a scientist at any level of education. Lawrence, Kansas June 15, 1981 W. J. B. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Virtually all graduate students who have worked on cockroach research in my laboratory have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this book. The most important contribution was from Sandy Jones McPeak, who encouraged me to finish the project. Segments of various chapters were conceived, developed or reviewed by Michael D. Breed, Sandy Jones McPeak, Michael K. Rust, Coby Schal, Thomas R. Tobin, W. Alexander Hawkins, Gary R. Sams and Chris Parsons Sams.

This volume deals mainly with the biology of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (1.). Contributors were urged to emphasize recent findings, including unpublished data when possible, a goal that would not have been feasible if it were not for the two previously published books on the basic biology of cockroaches, The Biology o/the Cockroach (1968) by D. M. Guthrie and A. R. Tindall and The Cockroach, Volume 1 (1968) by P. B. Cornwell. Those topics not included in The American Cockroach, such as external morphology, are well covered in the two preceding books. In addition, these books provided a broad background upon which contributors to The American Cockroach have been able to build with recent trends, new and established concepts and integration. Although this book deals primarily with the American cockroach, many chapters offer a comparative approach in sections where the more recent and exciting research has been accomplished on other species. Most contributors place the cockroach in perspective with regard to its appropriateness or inappropriateness for various types of biological investigations. Many questions are realistically left unanswered when no acceptable or obvious solution is apparent; an invitation to new researchers to consider the cockroach as an experimental subject.

As editor of this volume I am not going to emphasize the economic im portance of the Bruchids of pulses, nor how necessary it is to know the conditions of infestation of crops in order to achieve an efficient protection; both points are testified by F.A.O.'s sponsorship, as well as of the International Organization for Biological Control. On the other hand I would like to stress the scientific interest of the study of 'domestic' bruchids. It raises questions which require that present basic entomological knowledge be extended. I am not going to review all questions raised but I will emphasize those I am most aware of. Some bruchid species have been able to colonize habitats differing totally; some differing in their latitude, and thus their basic periodicities; others differing in their degree of complexity (stocks of seeds): What are the respective roles played by polymorphism and plasticity in that exceptional capacity? What differences are there between the populations living on wild plants in dispersal areas and those living in stocks? What are the alterations brought about by the drastic selection pressures in populations having later colonized habitats ecologically similar to the original habitats? What factors determine the degree of specificity of trophic relationships, and the possibilities of extension of the niche? What influences are exerted by the other elements of the original bio cenoses upon the behavioural evolution of these species? Such are a few fundamental problems that can be tackled directly through"

It was gratifying to be invited to prepare a third edition of this book, which first appeared in 1951. Preliminary discussions with the publishers, however, revealed a considerable challenge in the present high costs of printing, so that changes and some improvements were clearly necessary to justify the venture. It was immediately apparent that the chapter on chemical control measures would have to be substantially re-written, because of the great changes in usage due to resistance and the regulations introduced to prevent environmental pollution. Also, I decided to expand the scope of the book by increased coverage of the pests of continental Europe and North America, including some new figures and keys in the Appendix. These two undertakings resulted in considerable expansion in length, with about 370 new references and 250 additional specific names in the Index. In order to avoid too alarming an increase in price, I decided to sacrifice three chapters from the earlier editions: those dealing with the structure and classification of insects, their anatomy and physiology, and their ecology. Readers who require basic biological information on insects should buy one of the various short introductions to entomology available.

An analysis of the particular topics in biological control programmes all over the world indicates an increased interest in the utilization of aphid parasites. Besides the so-called traditional biological control of introduced aphids, there appears a situation which could perhaps be called a renaissance of biocontrol, i. e. the utilization of biotic agents against insecticide-resistant populations of aphid pests. The rapid increase in the amount of information as well as the necessity of syntheti cal papers are the well-known features in today's entomology. This requirement is much more topical in the groups where brief summarized information is needed for research workers in applied branches. The author has been well aware of all these difficulties and requirements owing to his own experience both in basic and applied research. Several years ago he decided to summarize our knowledge on the aphid parasites of the world by elaborating synthetical studies on the particular zoogeographical areas. These papers have been intended to represent annotated reviews of the parasite fauna, distribution, biologies and utilization in aphid pest management, with keys to genera and species, hos- parasite catalogue, and a list of references added. Naturally, these studies are only relatively updated, with respect to a certain deadline from which the research may be further continued. At present, the Far East Asian and the Mediterranean areas have been reviewed in this or at least in a similar manner.