Outlines of Entomology - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0412266806 ISBN 13: 9780412266805

Publisher: Springer, 1988

Synopsis

The present edition may be regarded as a descendant, much changed and greatly enlarged, of the late Dr A. D. Imms' Outlines of Entomology, first published in 1942. This went through three further editions without much change, but after the death of the original author a fifth, revised edition by Professor O. W. Richards and myself appeared in 1959 and a sixth in 1978. The book now appears in a considerably extended version in which I have tried to provide a more balanced introduction to the whole field of modern entomology by dealing with several aspects of the subject not discussed at all in previous editions. Thus, in addition to innumerable lesser changes in the sections on insect structure, function, development, classification and phylogeny, I have completely recast the earlier chapter on some important modes of life in insects. This now includes a far wider range of biological topics well exemplified by the insects and should, I hope, appeal not only to those already dedicated to entomology but also to others with more general biological interests. A completely new chapter on the biology of insect populations has also been added and may serve to indicate the debt which modern ecological theory owes to work on insect populations. It should hardly be necessary to apologize for introducing a certain amount of elementary mathematics into this account of a subject which is now among the most highly quantitative of biological disciplines.

About this title

Review

`This edition ... includes several subjects not covered in ... previous editions ... also, has more illustrations and a larger bibliography ... The book should not only be of interest to anyone interested in insects and their control, but to biologists in general.'
Biological Abstracts

Synopsis

An introduction to all aspects of modern entomology, this text provides the student with a basic understanding of insect structure, function, development, classification and phylogeny. Chapters have been revised in this edition to take account of developments such as pheromones, thermoregulation and views on cladistics. The book also introduces readers to the ways in which insects exemplify many phenomena of general biological interest. All major insect modes of life are discussed, including the relations of insects to plants and micro-organisms, their role as predators and parasitoids, and their adaptations to aquatic and social lifestyles. In a chapter new to this edition, the biology of insect populations is considered in some detail, with special emphasis on quantitative aspects of population dynamics and predator-prey interactions, together with related subjects such as competition density regulation and the stability, diversity and succession of insect populations. The book is suitable for undergraduate students of entomology and other biological science courses, such as zoology, agriculture and horticulture.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0412266806
• ISBN 13: 9780412266805
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 420
• Editor: Davies R.G.