Essential Entomology An Order-by-Order Introduction

by McGavin, George C.; Lewington, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780198500025
• ISBN10: 0198500025
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-21
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

An up-to-date order-by-order introduction and reference handbook for students of biological sciences in general and entomology in particular. Covers all the important groups on a worldwide basis and explains what makes insects successful. The book is in three sections: first is a straightforward introduction to insect biology; followed by a section on field work; lastly an order-by-order catalog of the insects giving essential facts and details of life-histories, highlighting what makes each order distinct. To make the material as accessible as possible, the information for each order is presented in a standard manner and is written in a straighforward style with as little technical language as possible. Essential terms are fully explained in context with marginal notes. A pictoral guide, specially commissioned by Richard Lewington, is included to aid in the identification of the orders.

Author Biography

Dr George C. McGavin is the Assistant Curator of the Entomological Collections in the Oxford University Museum, one of the worlds' largest insect collections. He is also Lecturer in Biological and Human Sciences at Jesus College, Oxford and a member of the Expedition Council and Advisory Committee of the Oxford University Exploration Club. In addition to scientific papers, he has written many books on bugs and other insects for adults and children and is also known on radio and television. He eats insects regularly and currently has three insect species named in his honour. Illustrations by Richard Lewington, highly-respected and renowned insect artist

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
PART ONE Insect evolution and biology	7	(42)
The evolution of arthropods	9	(5)
The first terrestrial arthropods	14	(1)
Insects and their relations	15	(1)
A brief history of multicellular life (with particular reference to insects)	16	(5)
Five factors in a winning formula	21	(16)
Size	21	(5)
Oxygen supply	24	(1)
Cell size	24	(1)
Temperature regulation	25	(1)
Cuticle	26	(3)
Cuticle structure	27	(2)
Moulting	29	(1)
The nervous system and the blood-brain barrier	29	(3)
The insect CNS	29	(3)
Flight	32	(4)
The origin of wings	32	(2)
The origin of flight	34	(1)
Viscosity	34	(1)
Flight mechanics	35	(1)
Reproduction	36	(1)
Interaction with other organisms	37	(5)
Insect structure	42	(4)
Sense organs	42	(1)
Circulatory system	43	(1)
Digestive system	44	(1)
Respiratory system	44	(1)
Reproductive system	45	(1)
Epilogue	46	(3)
Further reading	47	(2)
PART TWO Guide to the insect orders	49	(10)
Basic taxonomy	51	(8)
PART THREE The insect orders	59	(218)
The `primitively' wingless insects	61	(2)
Archaeognatha	63	(4)
Thysanura	67	(4)
The winged insects	69	(2)
Ephemeroptera: (mayflies)	71	(1)
Ephemeroptera	71	(6)
Odonata: (dragonflies and damselflies)	77	(1)
Odonata	77	(8)
Neoptera	84	(1)
Subdivision Exopterygota (Hemimetabola)	85	(2)
Plecoptera	87	(4)
Blattodea	91	(8)
Isoptera	99	(8)
Mantodea	107	(4)
Grylloblattodea	111	(4)
Dermaptera	115	(4)
Orthoptera	119	(10)
Phasmatodea	129	(4)
Embioptera	133	(4)
Zoraptera	137	(4)
Psocoptera	141	(4)
Phthiraptera	145	(8)
Hemiptera	153	(16)
Thysanoptera	169	(4)
Subdivision Endopterygota (Holometabola)	173	(2)
Megaloptera	175	(4)
Raphidioptera	179	(4)
Neuroptera	183	(6)
Coleoptera	189	(14)
Strepsiptera	203	(6)
Mecoptera	209	(4)
Siphonaptera	213	(6)
Diptera	219	(16)
Trichoptera	235	(6)
Lepidoptera	241	(18)
Hymenoptera	259	(18)
PART FOUR Fieldwork	277	(26)
Collecting	279	(17)
Relative collecting techniques	280	(8)
Butterfly and aerial net	280	(1)
Sweep nets	280	(1)
Beating trays	281	(1)
Light traps	282	(2)
Flight intercept traps	284	(1)
Pitfall traps	285	(2)
Water pan traps	287	(1)
Lures and baited traps	288	(1)
Absolute collecting techniques	288	(5)
Hand searching	288	(1)
Emergence traps and rearing	289	(1)
Suction sampling	290	(1)
Extraction techniques	291	(1)
Canopy techniques	292	(1)
Aquatic and taxa-specific sampling techniques	293	(3)
Fleas	294	(1)
Butterflies	294	(1)
Bees	295	(1)
Termites	295	(1)
Collecting from live animals	295	(1)
Killing methods and data recording	296	(2)
Killing methods	296	(1)
Data recording	297	(1)
Specimen preservation	298	(1)
Long-term preservation	299	(4)
Key reading	300	(3)
Glossary	303	(6)
Acknowledgements	309	(1)
Bibliography	310	(3)
Index	313