Insects as Natural Enemies

Insects as Natural Enemies PDF

Author: Mark Jervis

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-05-25

Total Pages: 755

ISBN-13: 1402017340

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Over the past three decades there has been a dramatic increase in theoretical and practical studies on insect natural enemies. The appeal of insect predators, and parasitoids in particular, as research animals derives from the relative ease with which many species may be cultured and experimented with in the laboratory, the simple life cycles of most parasitoids, and the increasing demand for biological pest control. There is now a massive literature on insect natural enemies, so there is a great need for a general text that the enquiring student or research worker can use in deciding on approaches and techniques that are appropriate to the study and evaluation of such insects. This book fulfils that demand. A considerably updated and expanded version of a previous best-seller, it is an account of major aspects of the biology of predators and parasitoids, punctuated with information and advice on which experiments or observations to conduct, and how to carry them out. Guidance is provided, where necessary, on the literature that may need to be consulted on particular topics. While researchers can now refer to several books on parasitoids and predators, Insects as Natural Enemies is unique in emphasising practicalities. It is aimed at students and professional working in universities and both government and commercial institutes in the fields of pest management, agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems

The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems PDF

Author: David M. Shuker

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 355

ISBN-13: 0199678022

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Updated version of: The evolution of insect mating systems / Randy Thornhill and John Alcock. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1983. (Preface).

Sexual Selection and Reproductive Competition in Insects

Sexual Selection and Reproductive Competition in Insects PDF

Author: Murray Blum

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2012-12-02

Total Pages: 477

ISBN-13: 0323148956

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Sexual Selection and Reproductive Competition in Insects explores the biological mechanisms underlying intrasexual reproductive competition as a driving force in sexual selection in insects. The book contains papers presented at a symposium on reproductive behavior in insects, held at the 15th International Congress of Entomology in Washington, D.C., in 1976. Organized into 13 chapters, this volume begins with a historical background on sexual selection theory and some of the principal conceptual advances that have been made since Charles Darwin (1871) posited that a sexual character was a characteristic possessed by only one sex and not the other. It then introduces the reader to differences in patterns of sexual selection and how they affect the reproductive success of individuals, male-female mating relationships, and mate choice by females. The book also discusses the evolution of mating strategies in insects, touching on concepts such as parental investment, female choice, and sexual conflict. Later chapters focus on winglessness, fighting, and dimorphism in male fig wasps and other insects, along with agonistic behavior among males of Achias australis, the function of horns in beetles, and the evolution of alternative male reproductive strategies in field crickets. The book also looks into the courtship and mating behavior of insects, and then concludes with an analysis of insect life histories in order to elucidate the biological aspects of the male-female phenomenon. This book is an essential reading for biologists and chemists.

The Evolution of Mating Systems in Insects and Arachnids

The Evolution of Mating Systems in Insects and Arachnids PDF

Author: Jae C. Choe

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1997-06-12

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 0521580293

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Insects and arachnids display the most impressive diversity of mating and social behaviour among all animals. This book investigates sexual competition in these groups, and the variety of ways in which males and females pursue, persuade, manipulate, control and help one another, enabling us to gain a better understanding of how conflicts and confluences of interest evolve together. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of mating systems in particular insect and arachnid groups, discusses intrinsic and extrinsic factors responsible for observed mating strategies, and suggests fruitful avenues for further research. The book culminates in a synthesis, reviewing the date in terms of the theory of sexual conflict. This broad-based book will be of immense value to students and researchers interested in reproductive strategies, behavioural ecology, entomology and arachnology.

Reproductive Strategies in Insects

Reproductive Strategies in Insects PDF

Author: Omkar

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2022-02-15

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 1000529991

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Reproduction is one of the most inherent tasks that all living organisms are actively involved in. It forms the backbone of their existence with all evolutionary energies directed over billion years of creation into maximizing reproductive effort. For so simple and directed a need such as maximizing reproduction, it is interesting to see how much diversity and complexity exists in this task. Each organism despite having the same end goal employs different strategies. The complexities, intricacies and strategies of successful reproduction while being extremely fascinating are equally befuddling. Reproductive Strategies in Insects provides an expansive critical look at the reproductive strategies of the most diverse group of animals, the insects. Insects which inhabit myriad niches in all ecosystems except the oceans, show the most diverse reproductive strategies ranging from simplest to most complex. Reproductive strategies, viz., search for mates, number of mates, display of mate quality, assessment of mate quality, acceptance of mate, rejection of mates, forced copulations, the fight for paternity pre, during and post copula, the modulation of paternity, ovipositional strategies and parental care are described in detail in this book. Also, each strategy in analyzed in relation to its morphological, physiological, ethological, ecological and evolutionary aspects. Features: Covers a wide variety of reproductive strategies, A detailed step by step description of reproductive strategies. Discusses morphological, physiological, ethological, ecological and evolutionary aspects. Modulation of these strategies and responsible modulatory factors are also discussed. Well-illustrated. Recent research results and probable future research directions. This is a niche reference book for ethologists, biologists studying behavioural evolution and entomologists. It may also be used as a textbook for a graduate level course in behaviour.

Insect Behavior

Insect Behavior PDF

Author: Robert W. Matthews

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 1978-10-02

Total Pages: 532

ISBN-13:

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Insect behavior; The biological basis of insect behavior; Insect bahavior as field of study; The programming and integration of behavior; Nervous coordinating mechanisms; Hormonal coordinating mechanisms; Internal communication; The increase of information; Spatial adjustment; Locomotion; Orientation; Dispersal; Thermoregulation; Feeding behavior; Herbivores and plants; Food location; Social feeding behaviors; Food recognition and acceptance; Regulation of feeding; Chemical communication; Mechanisms of chemical comuunication; Odor production and chemoreception; Types of chemical communications; The functions of chemical. Visual communication; Light production; Light reception; Functions of visual communication; Mechano-communication; Defense survival catalogue. Reprocuctive behavior. Brood care and social life.

Insect Behavior

Insect Behavior PDF

Author: Alex Córdoba-Aguilar

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2018-07-19

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 0192518097

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Insects display a staggering diversity of behaviors. Studying these systems provides insights into a wide range of ecological, evolutionary, and behavioral questions including the genetics of behavior, phenotypic plasticity, chemical communication, and the evolution of life-history traits. This accessible text offers a new approach that provides the reader with the necessary theoretical and conceptual foundations, at different hierarchical levels, to understand insect behavior. The book is divided into three main sections: mechanisms, ecological and evolutionary consequences, and applied issues. The final section places the preceding chapters within a framework of current threats to human survival - climate change, disease, and food security - before providing suggestions and insights as to how we can utilize an understanding of insect behavior to control and/or ameliorate them. Each chapter provides a concise, authoritative review of the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological foundations of each topic.

The Physiology of Insect Reproduction

The Physiology of Insect Reproduction PDF

Author: Franz Engelmann

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2013-10-22

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1483186539

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The Physiology of Insect Reproduction provides a comprehensive coverage of insect reproductive system. The title details basic phenomena governing reproductive processes in insects, with the whole spectrum of an insect reproductive cycle. The text first covers insect genitalia, and proceeds to discussing sex determination. Next, the selection talks about the development of unfertilized eggs in insects. The text also deals with gonadal development, along with insect mating behavior. Chapter 7 details the factors that affect egg production and fecundity, while Chapter 8 tackles hormonal control of egg maturation. The ninth chapter covers endocrine influence on reproduction in the male insect. The next chapters discuss oviposition, heterogony, and viviparity. The last two chapters deal with functional hermaphroditism and insect societies, respectively. The book will be of great use to students and researchers in the field of entomology.

The Evolution of Mating Systems in Insects and Arachnids

The Evolution of Mating Systems in Insects and Arachnids PDF

Author: Jae C. Choe

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1997-06-12

Total Pages: 397

ISBN-13: 9780521580298

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Insects and arachnids display the most impressive diversity of mating and social behavior among all animals. This book investigates sexual competition in these groups, and the variety of ways in which males and females pursue, persuade, manipulate, control and help one another, enabling us to gain a better understanding of how conflicts and confluences of interest evolve together. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of mating systems in particular insect and arachnid groups, discusses intrinsic and extrinsic factors responsible for observed mating strategies, and suggests fruitful avenues for further research. The book culminates in a synthesis, reviewing the data in terms of the theory of sexual conflict. This broad-based book will be of immense value to students and researchers interested in reproductive strategies, behavioral ecology, entomology and arachnology.