1. Introduction -- 2. What makes insects different? -- 3. Insect effects on human history -- 4. Nuisances -- 5. Structural pests -- 6. Venomous and poisonous arthropods -- 7. Parasites and disease transmission -- 8. Crop pests -- 9. Forest pests -- 10. Insects as food -- 11. Medical and industrial materials -- 12. Cultural value and artistic expression -- 13. Crop pollination -- 14. Decomposition -- 15. Biological control -- 16. Forensic science -- 17. Insects as indicators of environmental change -- 18. Why do insects become pests? -- 19. Deciding when and how to control insects -- 20. Concluding remarks.
Summary:
Insects are all around us, outweighing humanity by 17 times. Many are nuisances; they compete with us for food and carry some of our most devastating diseases. Many common pests have been transported worldwide by humans. Yet, some recent reports suggest dramatic declines in some important groups, such as pollinators and detritivores. Should we care? Yes, we should. Without insect pollinators we'd lose 35% of our global food production; without detritivores, we would be buried in un-decayed refuse. Insects are also critical sources for nutritional, medical and industrial products. A world without insects would seem a very different and unpleasant place. So why do insects inspire such fear and loathing? This concise, full-color text challenges many entrenched perceptions about insect effects on our lives. Beginning with a summary of insect biology and ecology that affect their interactions with other organisms, it goes on to describe the various positive and negative ways in which insects and humans interact. The final chapters describe factors that affect insect abundance and approaches to managing insects that balance their impacts. The first textbook to cater directly to those studying Insect and Society or Insect Ecology modules, this book will also be fascinating reading for anyone interested in learning how insects affect human affairs and in applying more sustainable approaches to "managing" insects. This includes K-12 teachers, undergraduate students, amateur entomologists, conservation practitioners, environmentalists, as well as natural resource managers, land use planners and environmental policy makers. -- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.