The outbreaks of myxomatosis among rabbits in Australia in 1950 and in Europe in 1952 provided scientists with opportunities of observing the course of the interaction of a very lethal virus disease with a large population of highly susceptible mammals, i.e. with a model system to study the evolution of an infectious disease, and the effects of an infectious disease on the evolution of a mammal. This scientific account of the spread of the disease in Australia and Europe, of its effects upon rabbit numbers, and of the genetic changes that occurred in parasite and host, is of great interest to ecologists, virologists, parasitologists, mammalian zoologists, geneticists, agriculturists, and public health workers, as well as to those directly concerned with rabbit raising or control.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. It uses natural predators, pest-resistant plants, and other methods to preserve a healthy environment in an effort to decrease reliance on harmful pesticides. Featuring forty chapters written by leading experts, this textbook covers a broad and comprehensive range of topics in integrated pest management, focused primarily on theory and concepts. It is complemented by two award winning websites, which are regularly updated and emphasize specific IPM tactics, their application, and IPM case studies: Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook - http: //ipmworld.umn.edu VegEdge - www.vegedge.umn.edu The two products are fully cross-referenced and form a unique and highly valuable resource. Written with an international audience in mind, this text is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on Integrated Pest Management, Insect or Arthropod Pest Management. It is also a valuable resource for researchers, extension specialists and IPM practitioners worldwide.

Biological control is the suppression of pest populations using predators, parasitoids and pathogens. Historically, biological control has largely been on a trial-and-error basis, and has failed more often than it has succeeded. However by developing theories based upon fundamental population principles and the biological characteristics of the pest and agent, we can gain a much better understanding of when and how to use biological control. This book gathers together recent theoretical developments and provides a balanced guide to the important issues that need to be considered in applying ecological theory to biological control. It will be a source of productive and stimulating thought for all those interested in pest management, theoretical ecology and population biology.

Overviews of biochemical, genetic, and molecular perspectives of plant-insect interactions with added emphasis on bioinformatic, genomic, and transcriptome analysis are comprehensively treated in this book. It presents the agro-ecological and evolutionary aspects of plant-insect interactions with an exclusive focus on the climate change effect on the resetting of plant-insect interactions. A valuable resource for biotechnologists, entomologists, agricultural scientists, and policymakers, the book includes theoretical aspects as a base toward real-world applications of holistic integrated pest management in agro-ecosystems.

Lacewings are predatory insects which attack and kill large numbers of insect pests. Lacewings in the Crop Environment addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of lacewing biology and their use in crop protection. The book opens with a section on lacewing systematics and ecology. Next, lacewings as predators in a wide variety of commercially important crops are reviewed and this is followed by a section on the principles of using lacewings in pest control. The possible impact of genetically modified crops on lacewing populations is also discussed. Finally, a fascinating array of case studies of lacewing use in many crops from around the world is presented, and future uses of lacewings speculated upon. Lacewings in the Crop Environment is an essential reference work and practical handbook for students, researchers of biological control, integrated pest management and agricultural science, and for field workers using lacewings in pest management programmes worldwide.

This book describes the application of statistics, economics and mathematical modeling to the control of bird and mammal pests. It is about how scientists have analyzed whether vertebrates are pests and what is achieved by control. The book distinguishes itself from other books on the topic by emphasizing the science behind vertebrate pest control rather than methods of control. Dr. Hone critically reviews the literature on topics such as damage assessment and control evaluation and makes links to ecology, epidemiology, fisheries management and economics. The text includes case studies of many mammalian and avian pests in a worldwide scope.

POSTHARVEST PATHOGENS AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Postharvest diseases caused by microbial pathogens account for millions of dollars in losses of both durable and perishable produce products every year. Moreover, with consumers increasingly demanding minimally processed vegetables and fruits--which can be invaded by human pathogens--there is an imperative need for suitable protective measures to provide pathogen-free commodities that are free from, or contain only acceptable levels of, chemical residues.
Providing details of both conventional and modern molecular techniques applicable for the detection, identification, and differentiation of field and storage microbial pathogens, Postharvest Pathogens and Disease Management:
* Discusses diseases of both durables and perishables during transit and storage
* Provides a basic understanding of the effects of handling and storage practices as well as field conditions and product susceptibility on the development of postharvest diseases
* Reveals, as a cautionary note, the potential hazards of mycotoxins with carcinogenic properties that can contaminate fruits and vegetables
* Contains detailed information derived from elucidative evidence and disease data in order to explain the infection process and subsequent stages of disease development
* Helps readers to avoid conditions that favor disease incidence and spread
* Includes real life examples of disease management strategies to help readers develop effective disease management systems suitable for different ecosystems
* Emphasizes the importance of integrating several different effective methods in tandem, including the development of cultivars with resistance to postharvest diseases; the selection of suitable analytical methods; and the effective use of biocontrol agents and chemicals
* Presents protocols for numerous techniques and basic methods, making the book a distinctive and highly useful teaching and research tool
Postharvest Pathogens and Disease Management offers readers insight into the principles and methods of avoiding and managing postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable products in an efficient, economical, and environmentally feasible manner, allowing producers to sell safer, higher-quality produce to the public and prevent the losses associated with postharvest disease.

As ravagers of crops and carriers of diseases affecting plants, humans and animals, insects present a challenge to a growing human population. In Pest and Vector Control, H.F. van Emden and Mike Service describe the available options for meeting this challenge, discussing their relative advantages, disadvantages and future potential. Methods such as chemical and biological control, host tolerance and resistance are discussed, intergrating--often for the first time--information and experience from the agricultural and medical/veterinary fields. Chemical control is seen as a major component of insect control, both now and in the future, but this is balanced with an extensive account of associated problems, especially the development of pesticide-tolerant populations. The authors are leading authorities in their respective fields and two of the best known entomologists of their generation.

This book brings together key features of the toxicology and occupational hazards of pesticides and the way their use is regulated in the main trading regions of the world. There are chapters on each of the main groups of insecticides, namely organochlorines, anticholinesterases and pyrethrins and pyrethroids. The book also covers fungicides and herbicides, as well as more specialised agents such as microbial pesticides. The risks and hazards to humans are considered, both occupational and through the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs. Additionally, clinical aspects of pesticide poisoning are discussed.

The possibility of harm from pesticide exposure has led to the development of national and international regulations governing the application of pesticides. The book describes the regulatory systems in three major economic areas: the North American Free Trade Area (USA, Canada and Mexico), the European Union and Japan.

This book should be of interest to all individuals working on the development and application of pesticides anywhere in the world. All those involved in the manufacture, regulation and toxicology of pesticides should also benefit from reading this book.

This study shows how to navigate the diversity of options presented in current ecological theory by developing the first general model of the entomological research requirements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The book includes practical advice on understanding and investigating species; examines the ecological problems associated with polyphagous pests and beneficial species; and scrutinizes ways suggested to improve insect biological control. It is an important resource for graduate students and researchers in IPM, insect pest management, entomology, ecology and crop protection.

Arthropod pests cause huge annual losses in global crop production and transmit a number of infectious diseases. The control of such pests is therefore of the utmost importance. This text provides an up-to-date, detailed overview of current approaches including chemical pest control, the use of biological and biorational control agents, and the latest developments in biotechnology. While an introductory text for students in the fields of pest control, entomology, crop protection, and agricultural and environmental sciences, the volume is also aimed at professional pest control practitioners and government employees in extension services.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the characteristics, uses and health implications of pesticides. Topics discussed include the evaluation of pesticide-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress on human and wildlife populations in Argentina; analytical methods of various families of pesticides in biological matrices; implications of pesticide use in the olive sector; pesticides and endangered sea turtles; monitoring emissions and atmospheric degradations of pesticides in the atmosphere; and adverse effects of pesticides in human health.

What are the ecological attributes of weeds that confer the ability to interfere with human activities? Roger Cousens and Martin Mortimer place weed management within an ecological context, with the focus on the manipulation of population size. The dynamics of abundance and spatial distribution are considered at both geographic and local scales. The basic processes of dispersal, reproduction and mortality are described, together with the factors that influence them. Management is shown to modify patterns of behaviour that are intrinsic to populations. Attention is given to the evolution and management of resistance to herbicides. This book provides weed science with the conceptual basis that has previously been lacking. It also gives ecologists access to the extensive database on the population ecology of weeds.

This book revises some of the most recent advances concerning Cd induced effects at cytotoxicological and genotoxicological levels in several crops and in other model species. Particular emphasis is also given to the whole plant performance, concerning this metal toxicity, including gas-exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, carbohydrates, Calvin cycle enzymes and pigments content. This book also revises some important aspects concerning Cd accumulation and distribution in plants and their relevance to the trophic transfer of Cd.

Due to the nature of agricultural commodities as carriers of exotic pests, importing countries have employed varying methods of pest control for postharvest products. Thermal treatments are emerging as effective, environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional methods, eliminating chemical residues and minimizing damage to produce. This book provides comprehensive information of these increasingly important treatments, covering temperature measurement, heat transfer, physiological responses of plants, insects and pathogens to heat, and an introduction to current and potential quarantine treatments based on hot air, hot water, and radio frequency energy.

Providing a critical evaluation of the management strategies involved in ecologically-based pest management, this book presents a balanced overview of environmentally safe and ecologically sound approaches. Topics covered include biological control with fungi and viruses, conservation of natural predators, use of botanicals and how effective pest management can help promote food security. In the broader context of agriculture, sustainability and environmental protection, the book provides a multidisciplinary and multinational perspective on integrated pest management useful to researchers in entomology, crop protection, environmental sciences and pest management.

This book evaluates the risks to human health and the environment posed by the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a microbial agent for pest control. Products containing various Bt subspecies are increasingly used worldwide to control the larvae of several insect pests that threaten major agricultural crops and forests. Bt products are also being used to control the insect vectors of malaria onchocerciasis and other diseases of major public health importance. The bacterium is also a key source of genes for transgenic expression to provide pest resistance in plants and microorganisms. The report opens with an overview of the biological properties of Bt and commercial Bt products. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms by which sporulation produces inclusion bodies containing insecticidal crystalline proteins which are selectively toxic for insect species in the orders Coleoptera Diptera and Lepidoptera. Tables show the current classification of 67 Bt subspecies and the large number of genes coding for the insecticidal crystalline proteins. A review of Bt metabolites found in commercial products concludes that they pose no hazards to humans or the environment. Chapter two reviews data elucidating the mechanisms by which Bt exerts its toxic action on susceptible insect larvae. Data on insect populations that are resistant to Bt are also briefly considered. Chapter three which focuses on the survival and activity of Bt in the environment compares habitats where Bt subspecies occur naturally with treated habitats. Particular attention is given to the ability of Bt to form endospores that are resistant to inactivation by heat and desiccation and that persist in the environment under adverse conditions. A chapter on commercial production describes methods of production and general patterns of use in agriculture and forestry and in large-scale programmes to control the vectors of malaria and onchocerciasis. The most extensive chapter evaluates the large number of studies conducted to assess the toxicity of various preparations containing insecticidal crystalline proteins spores and vegetative cells. Laboratory studies in a range of species have failed to demonstrate toxic or pathogenic effects. Field studies have likewise failed to demonstrate adverse effects on birds earthworms fish other aquatic vertebrates and non-target aquatic invertebrates. An evaluation of effects on humans draws on studies in volunteers case reports from occupationally-exposed workers and extensive data from countries where Bt products are added to drinking-water for mosquito control or used to treat rivers for blackfly control. On the basis of this review the report concludes that Bt products are unlikely to pose any hazard to humans or other vertebrates or to the great majority of non-target invertebrates provided the commercial product is free from non-Bt microorganisms and biologically active products other than the insecticidal crystalline proteins. The report further concludes that Bt products can be safely used for the control of insect pests of agricultural and horticultural crops and forests. These products are likewise judged safe for use in aquatic environments including drinking-water reservoirs for the control of mosquito black fly and nuisance insect larvae. The report stresses however that vegetative Bt has the potential to produce Bacillus cereus-like toxins whose significance as a possible cause of human gastrointestinal disease remains unknown. ...one of the most thorough published reviews of Bacillus thuringiensis ... provides an array of pertinent background material... -- Integrated Pest Management Network

Biological controls that utilize natural predation, parasitism or other natural mechanisms, is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticide methods are becoming less readily available due to increasing resistance problems and the prohibition of some substances. This book addresses the challenges of insufficient information and imperfectly understood regulatory processes in using biopesticides. It takes an interdisciplinary approach providing internationally comparative analyses on the registration of biopesticides and debates future biopesticide practices.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria use Cry proteins to kill their insect larval hosts. The expression of certain Cry toxins in transgenic crops has been widely used to achieve efficient control of insect pests. This book describes the use of Bt crops and the emerging problem of resistance, recent progress in understanding the mechanism of action of Bt toxins, different resistance mechanisms and strategies to cope with resistance in the field. It describes resistant insects found in the field in different countries, particularly in the developing world, and ways to counter resistance such as gene stalking, refuges, modified toxins and gene discovery of novel toxins with different mode of action.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are recognized as one of the limiting factors in crop production all over the world. They impair the quality of crops and cause significant yield losses, seriously threatening global food security. Management of these creatures is a vital aspect of the agricultural process and has often depended upon the use of hazardous chemical nematicides, but the disadvantages of these substances have created interest in searching for alternate safe methods of phytonematode management. This book highlights the use of biocontrol agents as a novel, eco-friendly approach in the management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Besides covering the ecology, diversity and geographical distribution, survival biology and virulence mechanisms of potential biocontrol agents, their limitations have also been described. Reviewing biocontrol agents such as nematophafous fungi, parasitic bacteria, predaceous mites, rhizobacteria, mycorrhiza and predaceous nematodes, the book discusses future research needs in detail. Written in a clear and informative style by eminent nematologists from around the world, this book provides a source of valuable information for researchers, teachers, students of plant nematologym enabling them to plan better strategies for managing plant-parasitic nematodes.

Pollinators play a vital role in ecosystem health and are essential to ensuring food security. With declines in both managed and wild pollinator populations in recent years, scientists and regulators have sought answers to this problem and have explored implementing steps to protect pollinator populations now and for the future. "Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators" focuses on the role pesticides play in impacting bee populations and looks to develop a risk assessment process, along with the data to inform that process, to better assess the potential risks that can accompany the use of pesticide products.

"Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators" opens with two chapters that provide a biological background of both "Apis" and non-"Apis" species of pollinators. Chapters then present an overview of the general regulatory risk assessment process and decision-making processes. The book then discusses the core elements of a risk assessment, including exposure estimation, laboratory testing, and field testing. The book concludes with chapters on statistical and modeling tools, and proposed additional research that may be useful in developing the ability to assess the impacts of pesticide use on pollinator populations.

Summarizing the current state of the science surrounding risk assessment for "Apis" and non-"Apis" species, "Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators" is a timely work that will be of great use to the environmental science and agricultural research communities.Assesses pesticide risk to native and managed pollinatorsSummarizes the state of the science in toxicity testing and risk assessmentProvides valuable biological overviews of both "Apis" and non-"Apis" pollinatorsDevelops a plausible overall risk assessment framework for regulatory decision makingLooks towards a globally harmonized approach for pollinator toxicity and risk assessment

The management of tropical forest ecosystems is essential to the health of the planet. This book addresses forest insect pest problems across the world's tropics, addressing the pests' ecology, impact and possible approaches for their control. Fully updated, this second edition also includes discussions of new areas of interest including climate change, invasive species, forest health and plant clinics. This work is an indispensible resource for students, researchers and practitioners of forestry, ecology, pest management and entomology in tropical and subtropical countries.

Mites pose a serious problem to plants worldwide, attacking crops and spreading disease. When mites damage crops of economic importance the impacts can be felt globally. Mites are among the most diverse and successful of invertebrates, with over 45,000 described species, with many more thousands to be discovered. They are responsible for a significant portion of the losses of crops for food, fibre, industry and other purposes, and require expensive and often controversial pest control measures. Understanding these mites is vital for entomologists, pest researchers, agronomists and food producers. Knowledge of mite pests helps to inform control strategies and optimize the production of economic plants and the agrarian economy. This encyclopedia provides a thorough coverage of the mites and the problems they cause to crops, yet it is easily searchable, organised by mite species and subdivided into helpful headings. It takes a worldwide view of the issue of mites injurious to economic plants, describing mites prevalent in different regions and discussing control methods appropriate in different environments. This book provides an encyclopaedic reference to the major mites, described by family in terms of their internal and external morphology, bio-ecology and family systematics. Methods of mite collection and laboratory study is described, as well as species diagnostic characteristics, worldwide distribution, host plants, identification by the type of damage they cause and control strategies, including chemical and biological intervention and integrated pest management measures. Mites of the following families are included: (Eriophyoidea, Tarsonemidae, Tuckerellidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae, Acaridae, Penthaleidae). The Handbook of Mites of Economic Plants is an important resource for students of entomology and crop production, and as a thorough reference guide for researchers and field workers involved with mites, crop damage and food production.