Introduction To Insect Biology And Diversity

Extensively revised and reorganized, the second edition of Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity serves as an ideal text for courses in general entomology with laboratory sections. Written for students who have completed an introductory course in biology, it provides an in-depth treatment of both the biology of insects and their classification, including keys for identification for over four hundred families. The common insects of North America are discussed as well as species found elsewhere in the world. Parts I and II provide reading material for lectures: Part I: Insects as Organisms, covers morphology, physiology, and behavior, including social behavior. Part II: Insect Ecology, begins with population biology and includes chapters on insects in relation to their environments and pest management. Part III, Insect Diversity, provides source material for the laboratory. The classification of insects, their evolution, and fossil record are discussed first, followed by coverage of each order in terms of general biology and ecology, keys for identification of families, and, in some chapters, discussion of the biologies of families. All insect orders and over four hundred families of insects are treated. This second edition features new chapters on population biology, insects and microbes, pest management, and methods for making an insect collection. It is illustrated with new line drawings by Barbara Boole Daly and many new photographs, including 48 in color, by Edward S. Ross. A unique feature in a text of this kind, these color photographs allow students to witness a variety of life forms and habits that they normally would not have the opportunity to observe in nature.

Written for students who have completed an introductory course in biology, the fourth edition of Daly and Doyen's Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity presents the ideal balance of basic biological principles and in-depth treatment of insect classification, including keys for identifying more than four hundred families. In this fourth edition, James B. Whitfield, of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, continues as lead author, bringing a wealth of expertise on molecular analysis relating to development and systematics.

Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects Volume Two of Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society presents an entirely new, companion volume of a comprehensive resource for the most current research on the influence insects have on humankind and on our endangered environment. With contributions from leading researchers and scholars on the topic, the text explores relevant topics including biodiversity in different habitats and regions, taxonomic groups, and perspectives. Volume Two offers coverage of insect biodiversity in regional settings, such as the Arctic and Asia, and in particular habitats including crops, caves, and islands. The authors also include information on historical, cultural, technical, and climatic perspectives of insect biodiversity. This book explores the wide variety of insect species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human population, and examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect species will have on the world. This important text: Offers the most up-to-date information on the important topic of insect biodiversity Explores vital topics such as the impact on insect biodiversity through habitat loss and degradation and climate change With its companion Volume I, presents current information on the biodiversity of all insect orders Contains reviews of insect biodiversity in culture and art, in the fossil record, and in agricultural systems Includes scientific approaches and methods for the study of insect biodiversity The book offers scientists, academics, professionals, and students a guide for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of insects, highlighting the need to sustainably manage ecosystems in an ever-changing global environment.

An introduction to the intriguing world of insects, from bullet ants to butterflies. Designed as an introduction to the intriguing world of insect biology, this book examines familiar entomological topics in nontraditional ways. Author David B. Rivers gives important concepts relatable context through a pop culture lens, and he covers subjects that are not typical for entomology textbooks, including the impact of insects on the human condition, the sex lives of insects, why insects are phat but not fat, forensic entomology, and the threats that some insects pose to humanity. Each chapter presents clear and concise key concepts, chapter reviews, review questions following Bloom’s taxonomy of learning, web links to videos and other resources, and breakout boxes (called Fly Spots) that capture student interest with unique and entertaining facts related to entomology. Focusing on both traditional and cutting-edge aspects of insect biology and packed with extensive learning resources, Insects covers a wide range of topics suitable for life science majors, as well as non-science students, including: • the positive and negative influences of insects on everyday human life • insect abundance • insect classification (here presented in the context of social media) • insect feeding, communication, defense, and sex • how insects are responding to climate change • forensic entomology • how insects can be used as weapons of war • how insects relate to national security • why insects have wings • how to read pesticide labels

Reviews of the first edition of Insects [starred review]-This book is simply bigger, prettier, and more comprehensive than any previous publication on insects.- --Library Journal -An incredibly important, masterfully written and profusely illustrated work that belongs in the library of every field biologist, educator, student and naturalist . . . a book that is destined to become a natural history classic-. --Arthur V Evans, Research Collaborator, Dept. of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution Called -a milestone in insect photography- and -simply bigger, prettier and more comprehensive than any previous publication on insects, - Professor Stephen Marshall's Insects is now in a new edition, with more than 500 changes to reflect the latest scientific findings since it was first published in 2006. It is a comprehensive reference on insects featuring an easy identification guide using 28 picture keys, 4000 color photographs taken in the field (not pinned specimens), expert advice on observing insects, and more. Insects enables readers and starting entomologists to identify most insects quickly and accurately. More than 50 pages of picture keys lead to appropriate chapters and specific photos, to confirm identification. The keys are surprisingly comprehensive and easy for non-specialists to use. Features include: detailed chapters covering insect orders and insect families a brief examination of common families of related terrestrial arthropods 4000+ color photographs showing typical behaviors and key characteristics three indexes--common family names, photographs, general index expert guidance on observing, collecting and photographing insects new remarks on declining habitat and threats to biodiversity. This book has been widely and thoroughly praised. It is now ready for a new generation of new, and lifetime students of entomology.

This book provides a modern, synthetic overview of interactions between insects and their environments from a physiological perspective that integrates information across a range of approaches and scales. It shows that evolved physiological responses at the individual level are translated into coherent physiological and ecological patterns at larger, even global scales. This is done by examining in detail the ways in which insects obtain resources from the environment, process these resources in various ways, and turn the results into energy which allows them to regulate their internal environment as well as cope with environmental extremes of temperature and water availability. The book demonstrates that physiological responses are not only characterized by substantial temporal variation, but also shows coherent variation across several spatial scales. At the largest, global scale, there appears to be substantial variation associated with the hemisphere in which insects are found. Such variation has profound implications for patterns of biodiversity as well as responses to climate change, and these implications are explicitly discussed. The book provides a novel integration of the understanding gained from broad-scale field studies of many species and the more narrowly focused laboratory investigations of model organisms. In so doing it reflects the growing realization that an integration of mechanistic and large-scale comparative physiology can result in unexpected insights into the diversity of insects.

Bugs Rule! provides a lively introduction to the biology and natural history of insects and their noninsect cousins, such as spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. This richly illustrated textbook features more than 830 color photos, a concise overview of the basics of entomology, and numerous sidebars that highlight and explain key points. Detailed chapters cover each of the major insect groups, describing their physiology, behaviors, feeding habits, reproduction, human interactions, and more. Ideal for nonscience majors and anyone seeking to learn more about insects and their arthropod relatives, Bugs Rule! offers a one-of-a-kind gateway into the world of these amazing creatures. Places a greater emphasis on natural history than standard textbooks on the subject Covers the biology and natural history of all the insect orders Provides a thorough review of the noninsect arthropods, such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans Features more than 830 color photos Highlights the importance of insects and other arthropods, including their impact on human society An online illustration package is available to professors