Insect Ecology
Behavior, Populations and Communities

Combining breadth of coverage with detail, this cohesive introduction to insect ecology couples concepts with empirical examples and practical applications.

Peter W. Price (Author), Robert F. Denno (Author), Micky D. Eubanks (Author), Deborah L. Finke (Author), Ian Kaplan (Author)

9780521834889, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 August 2011

828 pages, 259 b/w illus. 36 tables
25.3 x 19.5 x 4.3 cm, 1.91 kg

'… this new book provides a needed update to a classic text. I am sure this text will quickly become a reference of choice for a new generation of insect ecologists.' John F. Tooker, American Entomologist

Combining breadth of coverage with detail, this logical and cohesive introduction to insect ecology couples concepts with a broad range of examples and practical applications. It explores cutting-edge topics in the field, drawing on and highlighting the links between theory and the latest empirical studies. The sections are structured around a series of key topics, including behavioral ecology; species interactions; population ecology; food webs, communities and ecosystems; and broad patterns in nature. Chapters progress logically from the small scale to the large; from individual species through to species interactions, populations and communities. Application sections at the end of each chapter outline the practicality of ecological concepts and show how ecological information and concepts can be useful in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Each chapter ends with a summary, providing a brief recap, followed by a set of questions and discussion topics designed to encourage independent and creative thinking.

Preface
Part I. Introduction: 1. The scope of insect ecology
Part II. Behavioral Ecology: 2. Behavior, mating systems, and sexual selection
3. Social insects: the evolution and ecological consequences of sociality
Part III. Species Interactions: 4. Plant and herbivore interactions
5. Lateral interactions: competition, amensalism, and facilitation
6. Mutualisms
7. Prey and predator interactions
8. Host and parasite interactions
Part IV. Population Ecology: 9. Demography, population growth and life tables
10. Life histories
11. Population dynamics
Part V. Food Webs and Communities: 12. Community structure
13. Multi-trophic interactions
Part VI. Broad Patterns in Nature: 14. Biological diversity
15. Planet Earth: patterns and processes
Glossary
References
Taxonomic index
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Insects [entomology PSVT7], Zoology: Invertebrates [PSVT], Animal ecology [PSVS], Biology, life sciences [PS]