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Informationen zum Autor John L. Capinera is a professor of entomology and chairman of the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida. His interests include insect ecology and pest management, and he has conducted research on insects in forest, rangeland, and crop ecosystems. Klappentext This book provides a comprehensive overview of the interrelationships of insects and wildlife. It serves as an introduction to insects and other arthropods for wildlife management and other vertebrate biology students, and emphasizes the importance of insects to wild vertebrate animals. The book emphasizes how insects exert important influences on wildlife habitat suitability and wildlife population sustainability, including their direct and indirect effects on wildlife health. Among the important topics covered are: the importance of insects as food items for vertebrate animals; the role of arthropods as determinants of ecosystem health and productivity; the ability of arthropods to transmit disease-causing agents; an overview of representative disease-causing agents transmitted by arthropods; arthropods as pests and parasites of vertebrates; the hazards to wildlife associated with using using pesticides to protect against insect damage; insect management using techniques other than pesticides; the importance of insect conservation and how insects influence wildlife conservation. Zusammenfassung * First book to offer comprehensive overview of this area ofecology * Aimed at professional and student wildlife biologists andentomologists * Focuses on the rapidly expanding area of wildlife diseasemanagement . Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface ix Acknowledgments xi Section 1: Introduction to the Arthropods 1 Chapter 1 Insects and Their Relatives 3 Naming of Taxa 3 Arthopoda 6 Arachnida 6 Crustacea 8 Diplopoda 9 Chilopoda 11 Entognatha 11 Insecta 14 Classification of Insects 14 Characteristics of the Major Groups of Insects 15 Evolution of Insects 27 Insect Biogeography 32 Summary 33 References and Additional Reading 33 Chapter 2 Structure and Function Of Insects 34 Integument 34 Molting 35 Body Regions 35 The Head 37 The Thorax 41 The Abdomen 43 Internal Anatomy 45 Muscular System 45 Fat Body 47 Digestive System 47 Circulatory System 50 Ventilatory System 51 Nervous System 52 Vision 54 Glandular Systems 55 Polyphenism or Polymorphism 57 Communication 58 Sociality 61 Ants 62 Social Bees and Wasps 62 Termites 63 Metamorphosis 63 Reproductive System 65 Eggs of Insects 66 Excretory System 69 Thermal Biology 69 Feeding Ecology 71 Scavenging 73 Feeding Belowground 73 Feeding in Aquatic Habitats 74 Feeding on Living Plants 75 Feeding on Blood 78 Predation and Parasitism 79 Summary 79 References and Additional Reading 81 Section 2: Food Relationships 83 Chapter 3 Food Resources for Wildlife 85 Assessment of Insectivory 85 Methods for Determining the Abundance of Insects 86 Methods for Determining Wildlife Diets 91 Nutritional Value of Insects 97 Importance of Insects in the Diets of Wildlife 98 Summary 103 References and Additional Reading 103 Chapter 4 Wildlife Diets 105 Analysis of Amphibian and Reptile Diets 105 Analysis of Mammal Diets 107 Analysis of Bird Diets 126 Analysis of Fish Diets 152 The Benefits of Insects for Wildlife Survival and Reproduction 156 How Insects Avoid Becoming Food for Wildlife 158 Crypsis 158 Aposematism 159 Mimicry 1...
