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entiated free-living organism (larva), which is The success of the Insecta as a class (nearly extensively destroyed and rebuilt into a mor 1 million spp.; phylum Arthropoda) is largely phologically different form (adult) suitable for due to their adaptability to profoundly different ecological niches. Insects have attracted the life in a different ecological niche, is controlled attention of scientists both as useful model by a single genome. This is probably the most systems for the study of many basic biological dramatic reorganization of a growing animal phenomena, and also for the rational develop known. Certain carefully selected insect ment of new methods of controlling the pest material can, thus, provide suitable model species. As a class, insects have played an systems for developmental studies. important role in the elucidation of numerous The majority of the individual metabolic basic biochemical phenomena. For example, reactions occurring in insects are similar to work on the genetic control of eye pigment those found in other groups of organisms.
List of contents
1 Introduction.- 1.1 Growth and development.- 2 Distinctive features of metabolism and homeostasis.- 2.1 Digestion and absorption.- 2.2 The flight muscle.- 2.3 Carbohydrate metabolism.- 2.4 Lipid metabolism.- 2.5 Nitrogen metabolism.- 2.6 Haemolymph.- 2.7 The integument.- 2.8 Microsomal oxidations and insecticide resistance.- 2.9 Chemical control mechanisms: neurohormones and cyclic nucleotides.- References.- 3 Hormonal control of development.- 3.1 Endocrine control of moulting and metamorphosis.- 3.2 Determination and differentiation.- 3.3 Moulting hormones.- 3.4 Juvenile hormones.- 3.5 Biochemical mode of action of ecdysones.- 3.6 Biochemical mode of action of juvenile hormones.- Summary.- References.- 4 Insects and the external environment: pheromones and defensive substances.- 4.1 Pheromones.- 4.2 Defensive chemistry.- References.- 5 New approaches to insect control.- References.
