Heteropterans regularly cause a wide variety and large number of problems for humans - at times on a catastrophic scale. The 37,000 described species of this suborder including many pests, disease transmitters, and nuisances exist worldwide, inflicting damage on crops, forests, orchards, and human life. Inspired by the widespread economic impact of this activity, Heteroptera of Economic Importance presents the most thorough, detailed account of true bugs to date, from the bloodsucking bed bug to the dreaded assassin bug. It is the definitive source for biological information not only on true bugs of economic importance, but on the general biology of the major families of Heteroptera as well.

Heteroptera of Economic Importance integrates the best of insect-focused and crop-oriented references, synthesizing the biology, behavior, and ecology of the true bugs. Each entry includes a detailed life history, helping you to evaluate the impact of harmful and useful Heteroptera. The thorough, comprehensive bibliographies support further research. Separate indices to insects and plants let you adapt the book to your use. It covers the physiology of plant damage and predation by this cosmopolitan group. This coverage, along with information on control measures and natural enemies, helps you evaluate and compare the best methods of management.

Heteroptera can be serious crop pests, harmful to humans, or can be valuable as biological control agents. This work discusses them individually, with expert presentation of the biology, distribution, damage, and control of each economically significant insect. As a resource that lets you easily access information and research on related bugs globally, Heteroptera of Economic Importance lends itself to sharing of ideas and information across geographical boundaries which will inevitably yield more research, new ideas, and better control.

Insects conquered the Earth long before we did and will remain here long after we’re gone.

They outnumber us in the billions and are essential to many of the natural processes that keep us alive and that we take for granted. Yet, despite this, very few of us know much about the hidden world of insects.

In this fascinating new book, entomologist and broadcaster George McGavin takes a deep dive to reveal the unknown truths about the most successful and enduring animal group the world has ever seen, and to show the unseen effects this vast population has on our planet, if only we care to look.

McGavin explores not only the incredible traits that insects have evolved to possess, such as dragonflies that can fly across oceans without resting or beetles that lay their eggs exclusively in corpses, but also the vital lessons we have learnt from them, including how therapy using maggots can save lives and how bees can help grow rich tomato yields.

The Hidden World reveals the wonderful complexity of our relationship with insects, how they have changed the course of our history and how, if we continue to learn from them, they could even be the key to our future and survival.

The authors of this book report up-to-date methodologies relating to isolation, identification and use of various enzymes and receptor systems that serve as targets for insecticide action or as sites for resistance development. Thus, this book serves as an indispensable tool for scientists in academia and industry research, investigating or developing new insecticides with selective properties for the benefit of the environment. Possible countermeasures for resistance to novel insecticides are discussed.

This book provides an introduction to population dynamics, exploring rules that govern change in any dynamic system and applying these general principles to populations of living organisms. Principles of Population Dynamics and their Application is aimed at applied ecologists, resource managers. and pest managers. It is also aimed at undergraduate students taking courses in forestry, fisheries, widlife and pest management.

This is an essential guidebook, providing a comprehensive overview of insect viruses and pest management. Part One of this volume explores the rationale behind the employment of insect pathogenic viruses in pest control and documents the assessment of biological activity, the ecology of baculoviruses, control strategies, virus production and formulation, and the conduct and recording of field control trials. Part Two comprises an authoritative global survey of current practice, R&D, and up--to--date technical studies of insect viruses and their application in pest management. This survey was compiled with the assistance of a panel of world--wide experts and will prove an invaluable and unique data source. Building on the key topics discussed in Part One, easy--to--follow, practical protocols are presented in Part Three, including detailed accounts of standard operating procedures for working with insects, isolation, propagation (in vivo and in vitro), purification, characterization and enumeration of viruses, suggestions for good laboratory layout and design, mass production methods, formulation and quality control. The importance of external environmental factors concerning virus survival and efficacy is also not forgotten, and in the final part the effects of solar radiation and the relationships between viruses and plant surfaces are discussed. Indispensable reading for all professionals and students interested in insect virology and pest control, this book is a comprehensive reference manual.

The term "zooplankton" describes the community of floating, often microscopic, animals that inhabit aquatic environments. Being near the base of the food chain, they serve as food for larger animals, such as fish.
The ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) Zooplankton Methodology Manual provides comprehensive coverage of modern techniques in zooplankton ecology written by a group of international experts. Chapters include sampling, acoustic and optical methods, estimation of feeding, growth, reproduction and metabolism, and up-to-date treatment of population genetics and modeling. This book will be a key reference work for marine scientists throughout the world.
Key features
* Sampling and experimental design
* Collecting zooplankton
* Techniques for assessing biomass and abundance
* Protozooplankton enumeration and biomass estimation
* New optical and acoustic techniques for estimating zooplankton biomass and abundance
* Methods for measuring zooplankton feeding, growth, reproduction and metabolism
* Population genetic analysis of zooplankton
* Modelling zooplankton dynamics
This unique and comprehensive reference work will be essential reading for marine and freshwater research scientists and graduates entering the field.

From the third international workshop on the subject (U. of Florence, 1997), come 18 papers reviewing the issue of alien crayfish decimating the relatively few native species in European freshwater environments. In a historical and taxonomic context, the initial paper explains why such homogenizatio

Northeastern Tiger Beetles: A Field Guide to Tiger Beetles of New England and Eastern Canada is the first book to draw together information about adult and larvae of tiger beetles of New England and Eastern Canada. Details are provided about key characteristics of adults and larvae; habitat; range; and life history information of the various species, including notes on conservation status of rare or endangered species.

A catalogue of the soft-scale insects of the world (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Cocidae) with data on geographical distribution, host plants, biology and economic importance. This catalogue lists 162 genera comprising 1090 species and subspecies which have been described since Linnaeus (1758) until the cutoff date of December 1991. Extensive data are presented on taxonomy, nomenclature, synonyms, geographical distribution, host plants, biology, and economic importance of the species. New combinations are established for 40 species. One species, namely Filippia subterranea Gomez-Menor Ortega, is newly synonymized with Lecanopsis formicarum Newstead.

Insect physiology is currently undergoing revolutionary changes with the increased application of molecular biological techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses to insect cells. Advances in Insect Physiology is committed to publishing high quality reviews on molecular biology and molecular genetics in areas where they provide an increased understanding of physiological processes in insects. Volume 27 of this classic series continues to provide up-to-date reviews on topical subjects of importance to all invertebrate physiologists and neurobiologists and contains increased coverage on the molecular biology of insect physiology.

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.

The Ichneumonoidea is a vast and important superfamily of parasitic wasps, with some 60,000 described species and estimated numbers far higher, especially for small-bodied tropical taxa. The superfamily comprises two cosmopolitan families - Braconidae and Ichneumonidae - that have largely attracted separate groups of researchers, and this, to a considerable extent, has meant that understanding of their adaptive features has often been considered in isolation. This book considers both families, highlighting similarities and differences in their adaptations. The classification of the whole of the Ichneumonoidea, along with most other insect orders, has been plagued by typology whereby undue importance has been attributed to particular characters in defining groups. Typology is a common disease of traditional taxonomy such that, until recently, quite a lot of taxa have been associated with the wrong higher clades. The sheer size of the group, and until the last 30 or so years, lack of accessible identification materials, has been a further impediment to research on all but a handful of lab rat species usually cultured initially because of their potential in biological control. New evidence, largely in the form of molecular data, have shown that many morphological, behavioural, physiological and anatomical characters associated with basic life history features, specifically whether wasps are ecto- or endoparasitic, or idiobiont or koinobiont, can be grossly misleading in terms of the phylogeny they suggest. This book shows how, with better supported phylogenetic hypotheses entomologists can understand far more about the ways natural selection is acting upon them. This new book also focuses on this superfamily with which the author has great familiarity and provides a detailed coverage of each subfamily, emphasising anatomy, taxonomy and systematics, biology, as well as pointing out the importance and research potential of each group. Fossil taxa are included and it also has sections on biogeography, global species richness, culturing and rearing and preparing specimens for taxonomic study. The book highlights areas where research might be particularly rewarding and suggests systems/groups that need investigation. The author provides a large compendium of references to original research on each group. This book is an essential workmate for all postgraduates and researchers working on ichneumonoid or other parasitic wasps worldwide. It will stand as a reference book for a good number of years, and while rapid advances in various fields such as genomics and host physiological interactions will lead to new information, as an overall synthesis of the current state it will stay relevant for a long time.

This text presents an up-to-date account of the soft-scale insects, "Coccidae", and covers almost the entire spectrum of the knowledge of this insect family. It is divided into three sections, covering: soft scale insects; their natural enemies; and damage and control.

Soft Scale Insects is intended to be a further step towards providing comprehensive information on soft scale insects. Four or five decades ago, entomologists embarking on a study on soft scale insects would have encountered a scarcity of general text books or comprehensive treatise of the family, as a starting point for their research. At the time, the available knowledge and data were either scattered among numerous articles or regional monographs or were in obsolete books. It is hoped that this volume will cover almost the entire spectrum of the knowledge on the soft scale insect family, Coccidae. This book comprises six chapters and begins by discussing the natural enemies of soft scale insects, such as pathogens like entomopathogenic fungi; predators like coccineilidae and other coleoptera; and parasitoids like encyrtidae. It then discusses issues of damage and control, including pest status of soft scale insects and coccid pests of important crops. This book will be of interest to entomologists, horticulturists, zoologists, biologists, and those involved in general agricultural research.

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.

In the English edition of his landmark book Endosymbiosis of Animals with Plant Microorganisms (1965), Professor Paul Buchner, probably the most prominent founder of systematic symbiosis research, wrote: "I too soon fell victim to the spell of this subject, and from 1911 on devoted myself to it." Almost half a century later, a growing number of entomologists are recognizing the impact that arthropod-bacteria symbiosis has on virtually all aspects of the biology of both host and symbiont. The discussion of this subject tends to be system based, with primary emphasis on the insect host. However, recent screening studies have revealed that the diversity of bacteria associated with arthropods may not be as wide as initially expected, and some genera are constantly being found in hosts that belong to distantly related taxa. Manipulative Tenants: Bacteria Associated with Arthropods introduces the fascinating world of bacteria-arthropod associations with an emphasis on the bacterial partner. Written by an interdisciplinary team of international contributors, this book provides an overview of the diversity of bacterial symbionts identified to date as frequent partners of terrestrial arthropods. It discusses primary (obligatory) symbionts as well as the most abundant secondary (facultative) symbionts currently known. Summarizing the most up-to-date information available on each symbiont, the book presents a synopsis of the field from the bacterial angle. Chapters examine Proteobacteria, including Sodalis and Wigglesworthia in tsetse flies and Stammerula and other symbiotic bacteria in fruit flies, as well as Bacteroidetes such as Blattabacterium and Cardinium. The book also identifies questions that emerge from the study of these systems. This comprehensive reference introduces the topic of bacteria-arthropod associations to researchers who are not familiar with it, enlarges the scope of knowledge of those who are, and provides a textbook for students in microbiology and other branches of biology. Key selling features: Combines entomologists' and microbiologists' perspectives to create a full picture of complex systems Discusses dramatic differences in structure and behavior between some symbiotic bacteria and autonomous bacteria Examines the influence of symbiotic bacteria on the evolution of their hosts Includes diagrams, tables, graphs, pictures, and extensive references Emphasizes potential applications of symbiotic bacteria for solving agricultural and medical problems

This is a comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of entomology in the human environment. There is particular emphasis on control and biology of pests. The book provides students of entomology with a clear theoretical and practical foundation in household and structural insect pests.;This book should be of interest to senior undergraduates and masters students in entomology; pest control workers; researchers in the pesticide industry.

This collection of conference papers presents information on the molecular genetics, biomineralization, growth and ecology of extant brachiopod stocks (extrapolated back to the Cambrian), and the shell microstructure, taphonomy, paleogeography, evolution, and taxonomy of fossil brachiopods.

Part of a biennial series in which surveys of selected topics are presented, this volume discusses: velatida and spinulosida; adhesion in echinoderms; biological activities and biological role of triterpene glycosides from holothuroids (echinodermata); mass mortality of echinoderms from abiotic factors; mutable collagenous tissue; and extracellular matrix as mechano-effector.

The Leafcutter Ants is the most detailed and authoritative description of any ant species ever produced. With a text suitable for both a lay and a scientific audience, the book provides an unforgettable tour of Earth's most evolved animal societies. Each colony of leafcutters contains as many as five million workers, all the daughters of a single queen that can live over a decade. A gigantic nest can stretch thirty feet across, rise five feet or more above the ground, and consist of hundreds of chambers that reach twenty-five feet below the ground surface. Indeed, the leafcutters have parlayed their instinctive civilization into a virtual domination of forest, grassland, and cropland from Louisiana to Patagonia. Inspired by a section of the authors' acclaimed The Superorganism, this brilliantly illustrated work provides the ultimate explanation of what a social order with a half-billion years of animal evolution has achieved."

Protozoa may be found in almost every aquatic habitat, each containing dozens of species. The diversity can provide invaluable insights into the nature of the habitat. Protozoa can thus be used to illustrate biological principles. This colour guide makes the identification of individual protozoa easily accessible to students and professionals and provides information on protozoan communities found in different environments by means of a wealth of colour photomicrographs supported by original and detailed line drawings and concise text. The guide has been welcomed by professional practitioners, researchers and instructors, by graduate, undergraduate and secondary level students, in a wide range of disciplines, for its clarity in providing a logical system for learning and recognition, the first step towards understanding and using the protozoan community as a biological indicator of environmental change, pollution and contamination.

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.

The editors of this book, who are world renown for their creativity with entomopathogenic nematodes, have assembled the foremost authorities from four continents to contribute on basic and applied concepts. The authors have taken advantage of this opportunity to express their views to a wide scientific audience. They have combined their international experience so that the latest developments in this fascinating and rapidly expanding field are present in comprehensive manner with diverse topics ranging from biological control theory to organismal and molecular biology.

Insect Cell Biotechnology provides a lucid, up-to-date description of recent major advances in the field. A number of significant topics are addressed, including the use and production of baculoviruses in insect cells, baculovirus specificity, bacterial toxin studies in cultured insect cells, scale-up operations required in the production of recombinant protein and insect viruses propagated in insect cells, growth and nervous system interactions, and the physiological and developmental capacities of cell lines. Transfection in Drosophila cells and a chapter on the theoretical and practical implications of stress produced by x-rays, ultraviolet light, chemicals, psoralens, and heat are discussed as well.

This book is devoted to amaranth, a plant to which 45 species are indigenous to the Mesoamerican region and 10 others originated in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Amaranth was the foundation of the extensive North and South American ancient civilizations and is still important in the agriculture of more recent Indian cultures. However, this plant nearly disappeared after the Spanish conquest. In view of the outstanding agronomic performance of the plant and the high nutritional value of the grain, it is now becoming an important crop in various regions of the world. Progress in the utilization of amaranth is directly related to scientific and technical information on its biological, physical, and chemical properties. Amaranth: Biology, Chemistry, and Technology begins with a chapter on the use of tissue culture, molecular biology, and genetic engineering techniques for crop improvement. The next few chapters deal with classical genetics, traditional plant breeding, and plant physiology. Following chapters review the properties of storage and leaf proteins, carbohydrates (especially starch), and seed oil. The potential of amaranth for new food products and popping is discussed, and commercialization and marketing of amaranth and its products are described. The book also emphasizes the outstanding nutritional properties of amaranth.