The book brings to light the most recent findings on the biogeography, biodiversity, host plant induction and natural history of gall inducing insects in the Neotropical region. We attempt to summarize the work done so far in the region, promote several syntheses on many aspects such as host induction, host specialization, distribution among the several vegetation types and zones, the origin of super hosts and the mechanisms leading to geographical patterns in their distribution. Furthermore, the book constructs new perspectives for deeper understanding of galling insect evolutionary ecology and biogeopgraphy in the region.

Gagne's introductory chapters include biographical sketches of those individuals who have contributed most to our knowledge of Neotropical gall midges. He also discusses classification and distribution, external anatomy and biology, and techniques for collecting, rearing, and preparing specimens for study. The heart of the book comprises two chapters. The first presents the midges themselves: identification keys to the genera, a synopsis of each genus and higher taxon, and a list of all known species from South America. The second includes keys and descriptions of galls and other damage caused by the midges, with known hosts.

The field of insect nutritional ecology has been defined by how insects deal with nutritional and non-nutritional compounds, and how these compounds influence their biology in evolutionary time. In contrast, Insect Bioecology and Nutrition for Integrated Pest Management presents these entomological concepts within the framework of integrated pest m

This book has a broad scope and provides a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date knowledge of the plant genus Baccharis. The book is organized into four major topics encompassing the evolution, ecology, chemistry, as well as environmental and medical applications of the genus. This publication is a major reference for an audience of practising researchers, academics, PhD students, and other scientists in a wide-ranging collection of fields, from Sociology to Medicine to bioeconomy.

This book brings together a wide range of sampling methods for investigating different arthropod groups. Each chapter is organized to describe and evaluate the main sampling methods (field methods, materials and supplies, sampling protocols, effort needed, and limitations); in addition, some chapters describe the specimen preparation and conservation, species identification, data collection and management (treatment, statistical analysis, interpretation), and ecological/conservation implications of arthropod communities. The book aims to be a reference for zoologists, entomologists, arachnologists, ecologists, students, researchers, and for those interested in arthropod science and biodiversity. We hope the book will contribute to advance knowledge on field assessments and conservation strategies. Arthropods represent the most speciose group of organisms on Earth, with a remarkable number of species and interactions still to be described. These invertebrates are recognized for playing key ecological roles in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Because of the increasing and relentless threats arthropods are facing lately due to a multitude of human induced drivers, this book represents an important contribution to assess their biodiversity and role in ecosystem functioning and generation of ecosystem services worldwide.

This book is a pioneer attempt to bring forward the first synthesis on the most diverse and threatened mountain top vegetation of South America, the rupestrian grasslands. It brings to light the state of the art information on this ecosystem geology, soil formation and distribution, environmental filters that lead to biodiversity, species interactions and their fine tuned adaptations to survive the harsh mountain environment. The human dimensions of the rupestrian grassland are also addressed, including the anthropogenic threats that may irreversibly impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. The book also highlights the ongoing studies on ecological restoration and first attempt to model the impacts of climate change on its speciose biota.

Most basic information on plant-mealybug interactions during the last decade has come from research on the cassava Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae) system with two mealybug species, namely Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero and Phenacoccus herreni Cox and Williams (Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae). Both these insects cause severe damage to cassava in Africa and South America, respectively. This book reviews these interactions (plant selection by the insects, nutritional requirements

This book provides practical ecological, ethological, evolutionary, and biogeographic data for gall-inducing cecidomyiids, their galls and host plants, based on field surveys, laboratory experiments and genetic analysis. It refers to various researches on gall-inducing insects published by a world of biologists. Practical methods of field surveys and data analysis are presented, as well as topics on parasitoids, invasive pests, and beneficial gall midges that would be useful for applied entomologists. Readers can learn an ecological way of thinking through diverse interrelations between insects and plants, and the analysis of ecological data from gall-inducing cecidomyiids. Galls can be easily observed in the field continuously from early to final stage of the development of galls and gall inducers because of their outstanding features and immobility. It provides important data of the host plant such as phenology, abundance as food resources, and the survival of galled organs. By taking these advantages, many biologists have used galls and gall-inducing insects as highly convenient organisms for a wide range of studies including ecology, ethology, evolution, and biogeography. The book primarily intends to present the appeal of galls and gall-inducing insects for various biological studies. In particular, gall-inducing cecidomyiids are ideal insects to study ecology and evolution. It helps to open the doors to further cryptic study subjects. Also, integrating various ecological, ethological, evolutionary and biogeographic data as shown in this book can serve to further advance the macroevolutionary studies of insects.

Our highly seasonal world restricts insect activity to brief portions of the year. This feature necessitates a sophisticated interpretation of seasonal changes and enactment of mechanisms for bringing development to a halt and then reinitiating it when the inimical season is past. The dormant state of diapause serves to bridge the unfavourable seasons, and its timing provides a powerful mechanism for synchronizing insect development. This book explores how seasonal signals are monitored and used by insects to enact specific molecular pathways that generate the diapause phenotype. The broad perspective offered here scales from the ecological to the molecular and thus provides a comprehensive view of this exciting and vibrant research field, offering insights on topics ranging from pest management, evolution, speciation, climate change and disease transmission, to human health, as well as analogies with other forms of invertebrate dormancy and mammalian hibernation.