"Education, arts and social sciences, natural and technical sciences in the United States and Canada".

This volume of Advances in Insect Physiology contains comprehensive interdisciplinary reviews on basic and practical aspects relevant to major target receptors for crucial physiological functions and mechanisms in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, particularly insects. Chapters emphasize advanced genomic, molecular biology, chemical, and proteomic research on the receptors and their corresponding agonist and antagonist ligands. The book encompasses target systems such as sodium channels, octopamine/tyramine receptors, ABC transporters, acetylcholinesterase as a target enzyme, juvenile hormone receptors, and receptors targeted by neuropeptides. - Contains important, comprehensive and in-depth reviews - An essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists and neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists, and insect biochemists - First published in 1963, this serial is ranked second in the highly competitive ISI category of Entomology

Ecdysone is the steroidal prohormone of the major insect moulting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. It groups with its homologues the steroidal molting hormones in arthropods, but they also occur in other phyla where they can play different roles. Besides ecdysteroids appear in many plants mostly as protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivorous insects. The important developments and achievements in modern ecdysone science since the first edition in 1989 by J. Koolman have led to this new revised, expanded and retitled reference work. New chapters in this edition include RNA interference, the ecdysone receptor crystal structures and structure activity relationships, etc. Each article may also be read independently, as a review of that particular subject. Complete up-to-date coverage of many important topics - the book is divisible into five conceptual areas: (1) Distribution and diversity of ecdysteroids in the two kingdoms is still basis, (2) In the post-genomic era, ecdysteroid genetic hierarchies in insect growth and reproduction, (3) Role of cross talk of genes and growth factors in ecdysteroid titers and signaling, (4) Ecdysteroids function through nuclear and membrane receptors, and (5) Ecdysteroids in modern agriculture, medicine, doping and ecotoxicology. Each of the 23 chapters is written by scientists active in the reviewed research area and a truly distinguished international team of contributors has been chosen. Ecdysone, Structures and Functions will be of immense use and contains essential information for scientists, students, and professionals alike in entomology, endocrinology, physiology, chemistry, and agricultural, plant, biomedicine and environmental sciences.

The need to continually discover new agents for the control or treatment of invertebrate pests and pathogens is undeniable. Agriculture, both animal and plant, succeeds only to the extent that arthropod and helminth consumers, vectors and pathogens can be kept at bay. Humans and their companion animals are also plagued by invertebrate parasites. The deployment of chemical agents for these purposes inevitably elicits the selection of resistant populations of the targets of control, necessitating a regular introduction of new kinds of molecules. Experience in other areas of chemotherapy has shown that a thorough understanding of the biology of disease is an essential platform upon which to build a discovery program. Unfortunately, investment of research resources into understanding the basic physiology of invertebrates as a strategy to illuminate new molecular targets for pesticide and parasiticide discovery has been scarce, and the pace of introduction of new molecules for these indications has been slowed as a result. An exciting and so far unexploited area to explore in this regard is invertebrate neuropeptide physiology. This book was assembled to focus attention on this promising field by compiling a comprehensive review of recent research on neuropeptides in arthropods and helminths, with contributions from many of the leading laboratories working on these systems.

Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Production of terpenes and terpenoids. 3. The origin and evolution of terpenoid messengers. 4. Specific properties of terpenoids. 5. Functions of natural terpenoids in the interrelationships between organisms. 6. Terpenoids in practice. 7. Natural terpenoids to the benefit of human health. 8. Prospectus and suggestions for further research. Epilogue. References. General reading. Glossary. Index.

Insect Pheromone Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Second Edition, provides an updated and comprehensive review of the biochemistry and molecular biology of insect pheromone biosynthesis and reception. The book ties together historical information with recent discoveries, provides the reader with the current state of the field, and suggests where future research is headed. Written by international experts, many of whom pioneered studies on insect pheromone production and reception, this release updates the 2003 first edition with an emphasis on recent advances in the field. This book will be an important resource for entomologists and molecular biologists studying all areas of insect communication. - Offers a historical and contemporary perspective, with a focus on advances over the last 15 years - Discusses the molecular and regulatory mechanisms underlying pheromone production/detection, as well as the evolution of these processes across the insects - Led by editors with broad expertise in the metabolic pathways of pheromone production and the biochemical and genetic processes of pheromone detection

In recent years many of the conventional methods of insect control by broad spectrum synthetic chemicals have come under scrutiny because of their unde sirable effects on human health and the environment. In addition, some classes of pesticide chemistry, which generated resistance problems and severely affected the environment, are no longer used. It is against this background that the authors of this book present up-to-date findings-relating to biochemical sites that can serve as targets for developing insecticides with selective prop erties, and as the basis for the elucidation of resistance mechanisms and countermeasures. The book consists of eight chapters relating to biochemical targets for insec ticide action and seven chapters relating to biochemical modes of resistance and countermeasures. The authors of the chapters are world leaders in pesti cide chemistry, biochemical modes of action and mechanisms of resistance. Biochemical sites such as chitin formation, juvenile hormone and ecdysone receptors, acetylcholine and GABA receptors, ion channels, and neuropeptides are potential targets for insecticide action. The progress made in recent years in molecular biology (presented in depth in this volume) has led to the iden tification of genes that confer mechanisms of resistance, such as increased detoxification, decreased penetration and insensitive target sites. A combina tion of factors can lead to potentiation of the resistance level. Classifications of these mechanisms are termed gene amplification, changes in structural genes, and modification of gene expression.

Features information on Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, presented by the Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University. Offers access to a genome database, anatomical drawings of Aedes aegypti, and maps.

Advances in Insect Physiology, Volume 59, examines the molecular and developmental origins of insect extended phenotypes, their diverse physiological functions, their consequences for the ecology and evolution of insects, and their biotic partners. Chapters cover recent ideas about the significance and roles of extended phenotypes and provide overviews of the latest advances. Written for a broad audience of researchers and students, the book's chapters establish extended phenotypes as focal structures for understanding genotype-to-phenotype maps, the origins and consequences of complex traits among multiple interacting partners, and the roles they may play in providing resilience against climate change. Compiles and synthesizes the latest advances in understanding extended phenotypes Provides detailed information on molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning formation and control of extended phenotypes Gives comprehensive implications of extended phenotypes for ecology, evolution and applied systems