Key features: Presents a brief history of past classifications, a summary of present classification, and speculation on how the classification may evolve in the future Includes keys for the identification of families and subfamilies of the Pentatomoidea and for the tribes in the Pentatomidae Explains transmission of plant pathogens and concepts of pathology and heteropteran feeding for the non-specialist Provides an extensive literature review of transmission by stink bugs of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan organisms that cause diseases of plants Discusses the diversity of microbial symbionts in the Pentatomidae and related species, showing how microorganisms underpin the evolution of this insect group Reviews semiochemicals (pheromones, kairomones, allomones) of the Pentatomoidea and their vital role in the life histories of pest and beneficial species and their exploitation by natural enemies of true bugs Covers past, current, and future control options for insects, with a focus on stink bugs and related heteropterans The Superfamily Pentatomoidea (stink bugs and their relatives) is comprised of 18 families with over 8,000 species, the largest of which is the family Pentatomidae (about 5,000 species). These species primarily are phytophagous, and many cause tremendous economic damage to crops worldwide. Within this superfamily are six invasive species, two that occur worldwide and four that are recent invaders in North America. Once established in new geographic regions, these species have increased their numbers and geographic distributions dramatically, causing economic damage totaling billions of dollars. Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea): Biology, Higher Systematics, Semiochemistry, and Management is the first book that presents comprehensive coverage of the biology of invasive pentatomoids and related true bug species and addresses issues of rapidly growing economic and environmental concerns. Containing the contributions of more than 60 stink bug specialists from 15 countries, this book provides a better understanding of the biology and economic importance of these invasive species, why they became invasive, and how their continued geographical expansion is likely to affect numerous agricultural systems and natural environments. Including over 3,500 references, this authoritative work serves as an access point to the primary literature on their life histories, higher systematics, diapause and seasonal cycles, pathogens, symbionts, semiochemistry, and pest management control strategies for pentatomoid bugs.

Although usually treated as unified subject, in many respects the two components of what is broadly described as 'medical and veterinary is usual, the term entomology is entomology' are clearly distinct. As used loosely here to refer to both insects and arachnids. In medical entomology blood-feeding Diptera are of paramount importance, primarily as vectors of pathogenic disease. Most existing textbooks reflect this bias. However, in veterinary entomology ectoparasites such as the mites, fleas or dipteran agents of myiasis assume far greater prominence and the most important effects of their parasitic activity may be mechanical damage, pruritus, blood loss, myiasis, hypersensitivity and dermatitis, in addition to vector-borne pathogenic disease. Ectoparasite infestation of domestic and companion animals, therefore, has clinical consequences necessitating a distinct approach to diagnosis and control. The aim of this book is to introduce the behaviour, ecology, pathology and control of arthropod ectoparasites of domestic animals to students and practitioners of veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and applied biology. Since the book is directed primarily at the non-entomologist, some simplification of a number of the more involved entomological issues has been deemed necessary to improve the book's logical structure and comprehensibility, and keep its length within limits. A reading list is presented at the end of each chapter to act as a stepping-stone into the specialist literature.

In the last few decades there has been an ever-increasing component in most BSc Zoology degree courses of cell biology, physiology and genetics, for spectacular developments have taken place in these fields. Some aspects of biotechnology are now also being included. In order to accommodate the new material, the old zoology courses were altered and the traditional two-year basis of systematics of the animal kingdom, comparative anatomy (and physiology) and evolution, was either severely trimmed or reduced and presented in an abridged form under another title. Soon after these course alterations came the swing to modular teaching in the form of a series of shorter, separate courses, some of which were optional. The entire BSc degree course took on a different appearance and several different basic themes became possible. One major result was that in the great majority of cases taxonomy and systematics were no longer taught and biology students graduated without this basic training. We field biologists did appreciate the rising interest in ecology and environ mental studies, but at the same time lamented the shortage of taxonomic skills, so that often field work was based on incorrect identifications. For years many of us with taxonomic inclinations have been bedevilled by the problem of teaching systematics to undergraduates. At a guess, maybe only 5% of students find systematics interesting. It is, however, the very basis of all studies in biology - the correct identification of the organism concerned and its relationships to others in the community."

This is the third edition of this popular text which reviews all aspects of earthworm biology and ecology. The book has been updated throughout and extensive additions made. These include a greatly expanded treatment of earthworm community ecology, interactions between earthworms and microorganisms, and the importance of earthworms in environmental management and their use in organic waste management. A straightforward and integrative approach has been taken to reviewing the literature of this important area (over 1400 references are cited). An extensive appendix has also been added summarizing the toxicity to earthworms of a wide range of chemicals. This book will continue to be an invaluable text for students of agriculture, soil science, ecology and invertebrate zoology.

During the past decade, the study of the chemical structures used by insects has advanced from a subject that could be reviewed in a single volume to a vastly more advanced level. This important new volume brings together a focused group of reviews that offer perspective on the most interesting advances in insect chemical ecology. Chemical Ecology of Insects 2 brings together an internationally respected group of experts covering such topics as chemoreception and integration, orientation mechanisms, plant-insect interactions and insect-insect interactions. An important benefit of these reviews lies in the identification of the boundaries of our current knowledge and the most profitable areas in which we should expect these areas to develop. This important work will appeal to entomologists and ecologists working directly with insects. In addition, plant scientists interested in the interaction of plants and insects will find much valuable information. The book is intended to benefit both field and laboratory researchers as well as advanced students.

Biologists since Darwin have been intrigued and confounded by the complex issues involved in the evolution and ecology of the social behavior of insects. The self-sacrifice of sterile workers in ant colonies has been particularly difficult for evolutionary biologists to explain. In this important new book, Andrew Bourke and Nigel Franks not only present a detailed overview of the current state of scientific knowledge about social evolution in ants, but also show how studies on ants have contributed to an understanding of many fundamental topics in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology.

One of the substantial contributions of "Social Evolution in Ants" is its clear explanation of kin selection theory and sex ratio theory and their applications to social evolution in insects. Working to dispel lingering skepticism about the validity of kin selection and, more broadly, of "selfish gene" theory, Bourke and Franks show how these ideas underpin the evolution of both cooperation and conflict within ant societies. In addition, using simple algebra, they provide detailed explanations of key mathematical models. Finally, the authors discuss two relatively little-known topics in ant social biology: life history strategy and mating systems.

This comprehensive, up-to-date, and well-referenced work will appeal to all researchers in social insect biology and to scholars and students in the fields of entomology, behavioral ecology, and evolution.

For more than 20 years insect/plant relations have been a focus for studies in ecology and evolution. The importance of insects as crop pests, and the great potential of insects for the biological control of weeds, have provided further impetus for work in this area. All this attention has resulted in books on various aspects of the topic, and reviews and research papers are abundant. So why write another book? It seems to us that, in the midst of all this activity, behavior has been neglected. We do not mean to suggest that there have not been admirable papers on behavior. The fact that we can write this book attests to that. But we feel that, too often, behavior is relegated to a back seat. In comparison to the major ecological and evolutionary questions, it may seem trivial. Yet the whole process of host-plant selection and host-plant specificity amongst insects depends on behavior, and selection for behavioral differences must be a prime factor in the evolution of host-plant specificity. In writing this book, we hope to draw attention to this central role of behavior and, hopefully, encourage a few students to attack some of the very difficult questions that remain unanswered.

Learn to Identify Tiger Beetles with This Field Guide We are all very lucky that tiger beetles aren't the size of German Shepherds! These ferocious, pint-sized predators are beautifully marked, and some are extremely colorful. They are fascinating to watch and easy to find. Join in the fun with Tiger Beetles of Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan by Mathew Brust with full-color photography by Mike Reese. All 21 species found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are covered in detail, with loads of amazing natural history and the information you need to identify what you see. Inside You'll Find All 21 species of tiger beetles found in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan Innovative format that makes field identification a snap Fieldmark arrows that point out the best distinguishing characteristics The best habitats to look for tiger beetles More than 180 color photos and detailed range maps for all species Elytra comparison chart for easy IDs "Tiger beetling" has become very popular with naturalists across the country. Get in on the fun with this handy field guide that conveniently fits in your backpack or back pocket.

At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals--over half a million species Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all these visitors, as well as local residents, identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, Carrol Henderson published Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica in 2002, and it instantly became the indispensable guide.

Now Henderson has created a dedicated field guide to more than one hundred tropical butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates that travelers are most likely to see while exploring the wild lands of Costa Rica. He includes fascinating information on their natural history, ecology, identification, and behavior gleaned from his forty years of travels and wildlife viewing, as well as details on where to see these remarkable and beautiful creatures. The butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates are illustrated by over 180 stunning and colorful photographs--most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. A detailed and invaluable appendix that identifies many of Costa Rica's best wildlife-watching destinations, lodges, and contact information for trip-planning purposes completes the volume.

Darwin first raised the question of sex ratio evolution, and saw it as both important and enigmatic. He was, however, unable to make much headway with the problem and declared it a puzzle for the future. This particular future arrived about 60 years later, when R. A. Fisher (1930) pointed out that under autosomal inheritance half of the genes passed to zygotes in any generation come from males and half come from females. Fisher noted that this one-mother/one-father symmetry generates frequency dependent natural selection on sex ratio, resulting in an evolutionary equi librium in which half of the reproductive resources are devoted to daughters and half to sons. Although widespread interest in sex ratio as a phenotypic trait did not occur for another 30 years, it is difficult for us to overestimate the impor tance of Fisher's brief and characteristically cryptic remarks. Almost all of the innovations in thinking about sex ratio can be viewed as alterations of one or more implicit assumptions in Fisher's scheme. The present book on insect sex ratios is testimony to the fruitfulness of his original ideas and of their descendants."

This fully updated new edition of the "Reference Reviews" Top Ten Print Reference Source 2004 is a comprehensive, fully cross-referenced collection of terms, names and phrases used in entomology, incorporating an estimated 43,000 definitions. It is the only listing which covers insect anatomy, behavior, biology, ecology, histology, molecular biology, morphology, pest management, taxonomy and systematics. The origin, etymology, part of speech and definition of each term and phrase are all provided, including the language, meaning or root of each term and constituent parts.The common names of insects, their scientific binomen and taxonomic classification are provided, with diagnoses of pest species in many cases. All insect order, suborder, superfamily, family and subfamily names are given, together with the diagnostic features of orders and families. With new and updated terms, particularly in molecular biology, phylogeny and spatial technology, this is an essential reference for researchers and students of entomology and related disciplines.

Despite their potentially adverse effects on nontarget species and the environment, insecticides remain a necessity in crop protection as well as in the reduction of insect-borne diseases. The Toxicology and Biochemistry of Insecticides provides essential insecticide knowledge required for the effective management of insect pests. Continuing as the sole book in more than two decades to address this multifaceted field, the Second Edition of this highly praised review on insecticide toxicology has been greatly expanded and updated to present the most current information on: Systemic classification of insecticides How insecticides function at the molecular level and newly discovered modes of action Insecticide resistance, molecular mechanisms, fitness costs, reversion, and management of resistance Various bioassay methods including the interpretation of probit analysis Molecular mechanisms of insecticide selectivity Major biochemical mechanisms involved in the transformation of insecticides Fate of insecticides in the environment and the sublethal effects of insecticides on wildlife Newly developed insecticides, including the addition of more microbial insecticides in keeping with current integrated pest management (IPM) approaches Incorporating extensive reference lists for further reading, The Toxicology and Biochemistry of Insecticides, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for students of entomology, plant medicine, insecticide toxicology, and related agricultural disciplines. It is also a valuable resource for those involved in insecticide research, environmental toxicology, and crop protection.

About 100 years ago, it was dicovered that insects transmit grave, mainly tropical diseases - very much to the astonishment of the physicians of that time, who saw this as a new, possibly easy, way of eradicating the diseases by exterminating the vectors. For some years, DDT and other then new insecticides achieved great improvements, but subsequently serious setbacks emerged: insecticide-resistance and anxiety about toxicity to man and animals. In the past twenty years, serious efforts have been made tofind alternatives, with varying degrees of success.

Insects are among the most diverse and adaptable organisms on Earth. They have long been our chief competitors for food and are responsible for spreading devastating afflictions such as malaria and encephalitis. The insects' ability to thrive is due in large part to their well-developed sensory systems, which present a host of novel physiological, biochemical, and behavioral attributes that underlie their remarkable feats of sensory performance. Methods in Insect Neuroscience is the first text to showcase the tremendous variety of methods that are available to study the sensory capabilities of insects. It covers the complete spectrum of sensory modalities in insects, from vision and audition, to chemoreception and multimodal processing. The book is designed to serve as a how to guide for putting into practice a wide range of techniques, including behavioral observation, brain imaging, single- and multi-unit electrophysiology, computer modeling/signal processing, and robotics to address innumerable questions. A truly multidisciplinary synthesis of neurobiological, behavioral, and computational approaches to sensory-information processing is most likely to yield our richest understanding of the mechanisms that underlie sensation and perception. In that spirit, this book contains chapters by leading neuroethologists, comparative biologists, neuroscientists, computational biologists, geneticists, and bioengineers who have adopted insects as their models. Their hard work and dedication is evident in the quality of detail contained in every chapter. This book is intended for seasoned neuroscientists looking for state-of-the-art information, as well as discussions on the open-ended questions facing sensory neuroscience today. It is also intended as a primer for newcomers utilizing insects to embark on a study of sensory mechanisms.The opening section provides background information and references about the basic organization of the insect brain a

This is the first book to provide a detailed treatment of the field of larval ecology. The 13 chapters use state-of-the-art reviews and critiques of nearly all of the major topics in this diverse and rapidly growing field. Topics include:
o patterns of larval diversity
o reproductive energetics
o spawning ecology
o life history theory
o larval feeding and nutrition
o larval mortality
o behavior and locomotion
o larval transport
o dispersal
o population genetics
o recruitment dynamics
o larval evolution
Written by the leading new scientists in the field, chapters define the current state of larval ecology and outline the important questions for future research.

Insect pest control continues to be a challenge for agricultural producers and researchers. Insect resistance to commonly used pesticides and the removal of toxic pesticides from the market have taken their toll on the ability of agricultural producers to produce high quality, pest-free crops within economical means. In addition to this, they must not endanger their workers or the environment. We depend on agriculture for food, feed, and fiber, making it an essential part of our economy. Many people take agriculture for granted while voicing concern over adverse effects of agricultural production practices on the environment. Insect Pest Management presents a balanced overview of environmentally safe and ecologically sound practices for managing insects. This book covers specific ecological measures, environmentally acceptable physical control measures, use of chemical pesticides, and a detailed account of agronomic and other cultural practices. It also includes a chapter on state-of-the-art integrated pest management based, a section on biological control, and lastly a section devoted to legal and legislative issues. Insect Pest Management approaches its subject in a systematic and comprehensive manner. It serves as a useful resource for professionals in the fields of entomology, agronomy, horticulture, ecology, and environmental sciences, as well as to agricultural producers, industrial chemists, and people concerned with regulatory and legislative issues.

Insect Chemical Ecology provides a comprehensive view of how natural selection acts upon interacting organisms and how particular physical and biological properties of chemical compounds act as constraints upon which natural selection may act. Individual chapters raise specific questions as to the nature of these interactions. The first part contains reviews on antagonistic and mutualistic chemical interactions, the raw materials' of chemical evolution, the economics of offensive and defensive chemicals, and neurobiology. The second part discusses particular problems such as the evolution of resistance, insect pollination, learning, pheromones, sequestration of semiochemicals, the role of microorganisms, sex attractants, the evolution of host races and biotypes, and the role of semiochemicals and the evolution of sociality of insects. The last chapter discusses the role of chemical-based pest management programs in an ecological and evolutionary framework.

Honey Bees: Estimating the Environmental Impact of Chemicals is an updated account of the different strategies for assessing the ecotoxicity of xenobiotics against these social insects, which play a key role in both ecology and agriculture. In addition to the classical acute laboratory test, semi-field cage tests and full field funnel tests, new tests based mainly on behavioral responses are for the first time clearly described. Information on the direct and indirect effects on honey bees of radionuclides, heavy metals, pesticides, semi-volatile organic compounds and genetically modified plants is also presented.

The increasing use of integrated crop management, often requiring a reduction in the reliance upon chemical control, means that the need to rapidly identify pest nematodes has never been greater. This second edition of this standard reference work familiar to all plant nematologists is therefore even more useful than its predecessor published in 1986. The in-depth description of the life histories of the genera of the Tylenchida have been retained and brought up-to-date through the inclusion of all the research carried out between the publication of the last edition and this new edition. This expanded edition includes detailed diagnoses of well over 200 genera and familial and ordinal groups and the book is heavily illustrated with drawings of type or representative species. These, together with comprehensive lists of species and genera and their synonymies provide the foundation for the status and validation of each taxon within the Tylenchida. A considerable amount of information is provided regarding the biology, ecology and pathogenicity of these parasites. This book is the only comprehensive reference work on this important group of nematodes.

The acridoid grasshoppers in general and the various species of swarm-forming locusts in particular have been among the most favoured subjects of insect physi ology, behaviour and ecology for many years. Several factors contribute to this popularity: their abundance in nature and their ease of culture in the laboratory, their relatively large size, and most of all, perhaps, their agricultural importance and the consequent intermittent availability of funds for their study. These factors together have inspired a large amount of experimental work, and this in tum has produced a new and often over-riding reason for working on acridoids -the huge body of available background information and know-how that has built up about these insects. This state of affairs is well seen in insect neurobiology. Only a restricted number of insect types are commonly used in this discipline, and originally most of them were selected for reasons of convenience and availability: grasshoppers, cock roaches, crickets, flies, bees and moths are the most important. Each of these in sects is the subject of the attentions of one or more major groups of neurobiolo gists, but neurobiological articles on acridoids probably exceed in number those on all other insects combined, at least if articles on the molecular biology of the nervous system of Drosophila are excluded.

This title offers a guide to the world of arthropods, covering many insect orders, including beetles, flies, stick insects, dragonflies, ants and wasps, as well as microscopic creatures. It provides a fascinating overview of insects and spiders, including their habitats and classification, all shown in over 195 beautiful photographs and illustrations. All aspects of insect life are covered, such as the way insects defend themselves and how they are able to jump, leap and fly. It describes cryptic coloration, and the way insects can use camouflage to blend into their background and escape attack from predators. It offers various methods of feeding are discussed, from biting and chewing to lapping, sucking, piercing and filter feeding, according to their different mouthparts. It outlines their useful role in pollination of crops, production of honey, and removing insect pests. In the arthropoda phylum, insects are one of the most successful species, and spiders are one of the largest groups. This book studies how they organize their lives. The first section provides information of every aspect of insect life: evolution, anatomy, life cycles, flight and social organization. The last section describes the 30 orders within the class Insecta, demonstrating the huge variety of insects, from microscopic creatures to giant stick insects and large beetles. Typical features of insects in each order are highlighted. With expert text, illustrations and clear photographs, this guide will be enjoyed by all who take an interest in natural history.

The Biological Sciences are in the midst of a scientific rev olution. During the past decade under the rubric of molecu lar biology, chemistry and physics have assumed an integral role in biological research. This is especially true in ge netics, where the cloning of genes and the manipulation of genomic DNA have become in many organisms routine laboratory procedures. These noteworthy advances, it must be empha sized, especially in molecular genetics, are not autonomous. Rather, they have been accomplished with those organisms whose formal genetics has been documented in great detail. For the beginning student or the established investigator who is interested in pursuing eukaryote molecular genetic re search, Drosophila melanogaster, with its rich body of formal genetic information is one organism of choice. The book "Drosophila Genetics. A Practical Course" is an indispens able source of information for the beginner in the biology and formal genetics of Drosophila melanogaster. The scope of this guide, a revision and enlargement of the original German language version, is broad and instructive. The information included ranges from the simple, but necessary, details on how to culture and manipulate Drosophila flies to a series of more sophisticated genetic experiments. After completing the experiments detailed in the text, all students - neophyte or experienced - will be richly rewarded by having acquired a broad base of classical genetics information relevant for the biologist in its own right and prerequisite to Drosophila genetics research - formal and/or molecular. Davis, California, Melvin M."

The present work deals with the diseases of nematodes. Although the term disease implies a pathological condition brought about by an infectious agent, a broader concept is used here.

The crustaceans are ecologically and economically important organisms. They constitute one of the dominant invertebrate groups on earth, particularly within the aquatic realm. Crustaceans include some of the preferred scientific model organism, profitable aquaculture specimen, but also invasive nuisance species threatening native animal communities throughout the world. Chemoreception is the most important sensory modality of crustaceans, acquiring important information about their environment and picking up the chemical signals that mediate communication with conspecifics. Significant advances have been made in our understanding of crustacean chemical communication during the past decade. This includes knowledge about the identity, production, transfer, reception and behavioral function of chemical signals in selected crustacean groups. While it is well known that chemical communication is an integral part of the behavioral ecology of most living organisms, the intricate ways in which organisms allocate chemicals in communication remains enigmatic. How does the environment influence the evolution of chemical communication? What are the environmental cues that induce production or release of chemicals? How do individuals economize production and utilization of chemicals? What is the importance of molecule specificity or mix of a molecule cocktail in chemical communication? What is the role of chemical cues in multimodal communication? How does the ontogenetic stage, the sex or the physiological status of an individual affect its reaction to chemical cues? Many of these questions still represent important challenges to biologists.