Lacewings in the Crop Environment

Description

Lacewings are predatory insects which attack and kill large numbers of insect pests. Lacewings in the Crop Environment addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of lacewing biology and their use in crop protection. The book opens with a section on lacewing systematics and ecology. Next, lacewings as predators in a wide variety of commercially important crops are reviewed and this is followed by a section on the principles of using lacewings in pest control. The possible impact of genetically modified crops on lacewing populations is also discussed. Finally, a fascinating array of case studies of lacewing use in many crops from around the world is presented, and future uses of lacewings speculated upon. Lacewings in the Crop Environment is an essential reference work and practical handbook for students, researchers of biological control, integrated pest management and agricultural science, and for field workers using lacewings in pest management programmes worldwide.

Andrew Whittington is an entomologist specialised in the identification and naming of insects, most particularly, but not exclusively, dealing with flies (Diptera). He has more than a dozen year's experience as a fly taxonomist, has written approximately 50 scientific papers and described and named more than 60 new species. Andrew has collected extensively in the field, in countries as widespread as Finland, Germany, Hungary, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Scotland, South Africa, Swaziland and Switzerland. During the course of research, he has examined thousands of specimens from all over the world, mainly in the orders (in decreasing magnitude) Diptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Plecoptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Mecoptera and Hymenoptera. The breadth of knowledge obtained during this broad range of research has been applied previously to forensic, medical, public health and environmental work in South Africa. It has now developed into an insect identification service in Scotland for ecological and environmental contracts for SAC, MLURI, SNH and SWT as well as Public Health assessments for Fife and Edinburgh Councils, Fyffes, The Medicines Testing Laboratories, United Distillers & Vintners and GM Pests. Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and Honorary Fellow of the School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine and Veterinary Science, University of Edinburgh and is affiliated with Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD).

"Present and future workers are alerted to important issues awaiting resolution...agriculture is clearly demonstrated without fanfare. The work is current, well referenced, and relevant to those interested in neuropterans and in interdisciplinary investigations contributing to agriculture." Choice Jan 2002 "In the Preface, the editors stated that the book was a team effort. In my view, they did excellent work and they achieved high standards. My overall judgement of Lacewings in the Crop Environment is very positive. The book has no competitor on the market and will appeal to biocontrol specialists and practioners." Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada