Most people know of aphids as garden pests, infesting the soft green tissues of plants in vast numbers and killing them by sucking out the sap. Indeed, among the 4000 or so known species of aphids about 250 are pests, and in temperate regions several are economically important agricultural pests that damage crops directly during feeding or act as v
Aphids are among the major global pest groups, causing serious economic damage to many food and commodity crops in most parts of the world. This revision and update of the well-received first edition published ten years ago reflects the expansion of research in genomics, endosymbionts and semiochemicals, as well as the shift from control of aphids with insecticides to a more integrated approach imposed by increasing resistance in the aphids and government restrictions on pesticides. The book remains a comprehensive and up-to-date reference work on the biology of aphids, the various methods of controlling them and the progress of integrated pest management as illustrated by ten case histories.
Aphids are well-known as pests of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, but they are also one of the most biologically interesting groups of plant-feeding insects, and thus have attracted the attention of biologists in many research fields such as ecology, biodiversity, physiology, behaviour and genetics. Following the successful format of previous books on the world's aphids by the same authors, these two volumes provide a comprehensive species-by-species account of the aphids on the world's herbaceous plants and shrubs. They can be used not only as an identification guide and information source for entomologists and taxonomists throughout the world, but also as a unique database for studies of biodiversity and insect-plant relationships. In all, 3120 aphid species in 340 genera are covered, feeding on 2150 genera of host plants. Volume 1 features comprehensive host lists and keys to the aphids colonizing each plant genus. This information is supplemented in Volume 2 by a systematic account of all the aphid species, which provides information on their appearance in life, host range, geographical distribution and life cycles. There are 357 original line drawings, 252 photographs of slide-mounted specimens and 1000 references. Aphids on the World's Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs is the culmination of many years of work by two leading specialists and provides an essential research tool and standard reference work for entomologists in universities and research institutes throughout the world.
Darwin famously described special difficulties in explaining social evolution in insects. More than a century later, the evolution of sociality - defined broadly as cooperative group living - remains one of the most intriguing problems in biology. Providing a unique perspective on the study of social evolution, this volume synthesizes the features of animal social life across the principle taxonomic groups in which sociality has evolved. The chapters explore sociality in a range of species, from ants to primates, highlighting key natural and life history data and providing a comparative view across animal societies. In establishing a single framework for a common, trait-based approach towards social synthesis, this volume will enable graduate students and investigators new to the field to systematically compare taxonomic groups and reinvigorate comparative approaches to studying animal social evolution.
Awarded Best Reference by the New York Public Library (2004), Outstanding Academic Title by CHOICE (2003), and AAP/PSP 2003 Best Single Volume Reference/Sciences by Association of American Publishers' Professional Scholarly Publishing Division, the first edition of Encyclopedia of Insects was acclaimed as the most comprehensive work devoted to insects. Covering all aspects of insect anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and disease, as well as issues of exploitation, conservation, and management, this book sets the standard in entomology. The second edition of this reference will continue the tradition by providing the most comprehensive, useful, and up-to-date resource for professionals. Expanded sections in forensic entomology, biotechnology and Drosphila, reflect the full update of over 300 topics. Articles contributed by over 260 high profile and internationally recognized entomologists provide definitive facts regarding all insects from ants, beetles, and butterflies to yellow jackets, zoraptera, and zygentoma. - 66% NEW and revised content by over 200 international experts - New chapters on Bedbugs, Ekbom Syndrome, Human History, Genomics, Vinegaroons - Expanded sections on insect-human interactions, genomics, biotechnology, and ecology - Each of the 273 articles updated to reflect the advances which have taken place in entomology research since the previous edition - Features 1,000 full-color photographs, figures and tables - A full glossary, 1,700 cross-references, 3,000 bibliographic entries, and online access save research time - Updated with online access
Plant bugs--Miridae, the largest family of the Heteroptera, or true bugs--are globally important pests of crops such as alfalfa, apple, cocoa, cotton, sorghum, and tea. Some also are predators of crop pests and have been used successfully in biological control. Certain omnivorous plant bugs have been considered both harmful pests and beneficial natural enemies of pests on the same crop, depending on environmental conditions or the perspective of an observer.As high-yielding varieties that lack pest resistance are planted, mirids are likely to become even more important crop pests. They also threaten crops as insecticide resistance in the family increases, and as the spread of transgenic crops alters their populations. Predatory mirids are increasingly used as biocontrol agents, especially of greenhouse pests such as thrips and whiteflies. Mirids provide abundant opportunities for research on food webs, intraguild predation, and competition.Recent worldwide activity in mirid systematics and biology testifies to increasing interest in plant bugs. The first thorough review and synthesis of biological studies of mirids in more than 60 years, Biology of the Plant Bugs will serve as the basic reference for anyone studying these insects as pests, beneficial IPM predators, or as models for ecological research.
Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security explores the broad range of opportunity and challenges afforded by Integrated Pest Management systems. The book focuses on the insect resistance that has developed as a result of pest control chemicals, and how new methods of environmentally complementary pest control can be used to suppress harmful organisms while protecting the soil, plants, and air around them. As the world's population continues its rapid increase, this book addresses the production of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and other foods and their subsequent demand increase. Traditional means of food crop production face proven limitations and increasing research is turning to alternative means of crop growth and protection. - Addresses environmentally focused pest control with specific attention to its role in food security and sustainability. - Includes a range of pest management methods, from natural enemies to biomolecules. - Written by experts with extensive real-world experience.
Aphids are well-known as pests of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, but they are also one of the most biologically interesting groups of plant-feeding insects, and thus have attracted the attention of biologists in many research fields such as ecology, biodiversity, physiology, behaviour and genetics. Following the successful format of previous books on the world's aphids by the same authors, these two volumes provide a comprehensive species-by-species account of the aphids on the world's herbaceous plants and shrubs. They can be used not only as an identification guide and information source for entomologists and taxonomists throughout the world, but also as a unique database for studies of biodiversity and insect-plant relationships. In all, 3120 aphid species in 340 genera are covered, feeding on 2150 genera of host plants. Volume 1 features comprehensive host lists and keys to the aphids colonizing each plant genus. This information is supplemented in Volume 2 by a systematic account of all the aphid species, which provides information on their appearance in life, host range, geographical distribution and life cycles. There are 357 original line drawings, 252 photographs of slide-mounted specimens and 1000 references. Aphids on the World's Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs is the culmination of many years of work by two leading specialists and provides an essential research tool and standard reference work for entomologists in universities and research institutes throughout the world.
Invertebrates perform such vital roles in global ecosystems—and so strongly influence human wellbeing—that biologist E.O. Wilson was prompted to describe them as “little things that run the world.” As they are such powerful shapers of the world around us, their response to global climate change is also pivotal in meeting myriad challenges looming on the horizon—everything from food security and biodiversity to human disease control. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific knowledge and contemporary theory relating to global climate change and terrestrial invertebrates. Featuring contributions from top international experts, this book explores how changes to invertebrate populations will affect human decision making processes across a number of crucial issues, including agriculture, disease control, conservation planning, and resource allocation. Topics covered include methodologies and approaches to predict invertebrate responses, outcomes for disease vectors and ecosystem service providers, underlying mechanisms for community level responses to global climate change, evolutionary consequences and likely effects on interactions among organisms, and many more. Timely and thought-provoking, Global Climate Change and Terrestrial Invertebrates offers illuminating insights into the profound influence the simplest of organisms may have on the very future of our fragile world.
