The Insects - Structure and Function - 4th Edition

Paperback  788 pp, 604 diags, 25 illus, 29 tabs  ISBN 0521578906      £45.00

The Insects is about how insects function as animals; it brings together basic anatomy and physiology and relates this to behavior. It emphasizes the roles of different functional systems in the context of the whole organism, using studies of many different species as illustrations. Unlike other texts, it does not dwell on classification, but takes an in-depth look at physiology. As such it will provide all biologists with a basic understanding of how insects work. A long-awaited update of a well-established standard text and respected reference work for students and researchers in zoology, entomology and physiology, it has been rewritten throughout, whilst retaining the successful structure of the earlier editions. Improved illustrations have been augmented with electron micrographs, and expanded reference sections will make it a valuable addition to all biologists€ bookshelves.

Contents

Preface; Part A. The Head, Ingestion, Utilization and Distribuiton of Food: 1. Head; 2. Mouthparts and feeding; 3. Alimentary canal, digestion and absorption; 4. Nutrition; 5. Circulatory system, blood and immune system; 6. Fat body; Part B. The Thorax, Muscles and Locomotion: 7. Thorax; 8. Legs and locomotion; 9. Wings and flight; 10. Muscles; Part C. The Abdomen, Reproductive System and Development: 11. Abdomen; 12. Reproductive system: male; 13. Reproductive system: female; 14. The egg and embryology; 15. Postembryonic development; Part D. The Integument, Gas Exchange and Homeostasis: 16. Integument; 17. Gaseous exchange; 18. Excretion and salt and water regulation; 19. Thermal relations; Part E. Communication: I. Physiological Co-ordination within the Insects: 20. Nervous system; 21. Endocrine System; II. Perception of the Environment: 22. Visual system; 23. Mechanoreception; 24. Chemoreception; III. Communication with other Organisms: 25. Color and light production; 26. Mechanical communication: sound production; 27. Chemical communication: pheromones and chemicals with interspecific significance; Species index; Subject index.