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Insect Pest Management and Ecological Research explores the ecological research required for development of strategies to manage pest insects, with particular emphasis on the scientific principles involved in the design and conduct of pest-related research. Although the connection between Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and ecology has been long appreciated, their specific relationship to one another has remained vague until now. Here, Gimme Walter develops the first general model of the entomological research requirements of IPM. He shows how to navigate through the diversity of options presented by current ecological theory, emphasising pest situations. Besides theory and principle, the book includes practical advice on understanding and investigating species, examines the ecological problems associated with polyphagous pests and beneficial species, and scrutinises ways suggested to improve insect biological control. As such, it will be an important resource for graduate students and researchers, in IPM, insect pest management, entomology, ecology and crop protection.
Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Place and Nature of Insect Ecology Research for IPM: 2. Pest management as an applied science: the place of fact, theory and application; 3. Historical trends in pest management: paradigms and lessons; 4. IPM: a diverse, interrelated suite of socioeconomic and scientific problem-solving activities; 5. An ecological underpinning for IPM; Part II. Specific Directions in Insect Ecology Research of IPM: 6. Understanding species: good taxonomy, sexual species and pest management; 7. Polyphagous pests, parasitoids and predators - trophic relations, ecology and management implications; 8. Pre-release evaluation and selection of natural enemies: population and community criteria; 9. Autecological research on pests and natural enemies; Part III. Synthesis: Ecological Research for IPM Today: 10. Synopsis, practical implications and modern society; Bibliography.
Gimme Walter is Reader in Entomology in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Queensland.
'... any IPM practitioner who reads this book will come away with a greater understanding of the need for a sound ecological approach to their pest problems ... this is a must read book ...' Journal of Insect Conservation '... an excellent resource ...' African Entomology 'I find many worthy points that do need to be addressed by pest management practitioners and ecologists.' Journal of Agricultural Science
