The Biology Of Mosquitoes Sensory Reception And Behaviour

Mosquitoes are important as transmitters of widespread major diseases and as nuisance insects. They are also one of the most studied and well-known group of insects, both in the laboratory and in the field. The first volume in The Biology of Mosquitoes series is a key reference work and has received excellent reviews. This second title in the three volume series focuses on the functioning of the mosquito sense organs that provide them with information about the environment and that enable the adult females to find and attack their vertebrate hosts. It also reviews knowledge of the circadian rhythms and other internal mechanisms that regulate the onset and timing of different behaviors. This integrated review of the sensory mechanisms and behavior of mosquitoes provides a unique insight into their biology. The contents, which are fully up-to-date, include much important work from the past which is often overlooked.

Progress in Mosquito Research provides readers with the latest interdisciplinary reviews on the topic. It is an essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists, neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists, and insect chemists, with Volume 51 focusing on recent progress in mosquito research. Presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in mosquito science Written by leaders in their respective areas of mosquito research Ideal resource for invertebrate physiologists, neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists, and insect chemists

This is a multi-authored book with a focus on the role of olfaction (the sense of smell) in the multitude of interactions between arthropods and their blood hosts. Blood-feeding arthropods (mostly insects, ticks and mites) depend on a vertebrate host for survival and reproduction. Their evolutionary success depends on how efficiently they can detect the presence of a host and actively locate it to obtain a blood meal. This is the domain of olfaction, which is perhaps the most important mode of signal exchange between hosts and blood-feeding arthropods that visit them. Important human and animal diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, bluetongue and trypanosomiasis are transmitted between humans and/or animals as a direct outcome of olfactory responses mediated by host odours. Increased understanding of olfaction and how this governs interactions between arthropods and blood hosts will enable the development of novel strategies to disrupt this behaviour. For example, many species of tsetse fly respond over distance to simple blends of synthetic odours. Combined with traps or insecticide-treated targets, such odour-baited devices can effectively suppress fly populations and thus transmission of sleeping sickness. Such systems still need to be developed for disease-vectoring mosquitoes, flies and ticks, necessitating further knowledge on the chemical basis of interactions with their vertebrate hosts. In 18 peer-reviewed chapters, recognized experts provide a state-of-the-art overview of olfaction in vector-host interactions, from the molecular to population biology level. A wide range of arthropods is discussed, including mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies, tsetse flies, blood-feeding bugs and ticks. Novel ideas, definition of research gaps, and a collection of the most recent studies will be of value to biology students, chemical ecologists, as well as those implementing vector control programmes.

Insects are among the most diverse and adaptable organisms on Earth. They have long been our chief competitors for food and are responsible for spreading devastating afflictions such as malaria and encephalitis. The insects' ability to thrive is due in large part to their well-developed sensory systems, which present a host of novel physiological,

Flies (Dipteria) have had an important role in deepening scientists'understanding of modern biology and evolution. The study of flies has figured prominently in major advances in the fields of molecular evolution, physiology, genetics, phylogenetics, and ecology over the last century. This volume, with contributions from top scientists and scholars in the field, brings together diverse aspects of research and will be essential reading for entomologists and fly researchers.

This text brings together fundamental information on insect taxa, morphology, ecology, behavior, physiology, and genetics. Close relatives of insects, such as spiders and mites, are included.

The book is a comprehensive text on all aspects of the biology of aquatic insects around the world. This fauna comprises many thousands of species that previously lacked a dedicated reference text.

An updated edition of this popular textbook, covering recognition, biology, ecology and medical importance of the arthropods that affect human health.