Insect Behavior: From Mechanisms to Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences

The astonishing diversity of insects is well reflected at their behavioral level. This book summarizes the main behavioral findings and maintreams at different hierarchichal levels of insect behavior as well as how this information could be understood and used in terms of pest and vector control, and conservation biology. It contains 22 chapters written by leading authorities in the field, using a didactic language. Both advanced students and professionals will find this text an important source of reference and research ideas.Insects display a staggering diversity of behaviors. Studying these systems provides insights into a wide range of ecological, evolutionary, and behavioral questions including the genetics of behavior, phenotypic plasticity, chemical communication, and the evolution of life-history traits. This accessible text offers a new approach that provides the reader with the necessary theoretical and conceptual foundations, at different hierarchical levels, to understand
insect behavior. The book is divided into three main sections: mechanisms, ecological and evolutionary consequences, and applied issues. The final section places the preceding chapters within a framework of current threats to human survival – climate change, disease, and food security – before providing
suggestions and insights as to how we can utilize an understanding of insect behavior to control and/or ameliorate them. Each chapter provides a concise, authoritative review of the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological foundations of each topic.