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Insects are all around us, outweighing humanity by 17 times. Many are nuisances; they compete with us for food and carry some of our most devastating diseases. Many common pests have been transported worldwide by humans. Yet, some recent reports suggest dramatic declines in some important groups, such as pollinators and detritivores. Should we care?
Yes, we should. Without insect pollinators we'd lose 35% of our global food production; without detritivores, we would be buried in un-decayed refuse. Insects are also critical sources for nutritional, medical and industrial products. A world without insects would seem a very different and unpleasant place. So why do insects inspire such fear and loathing?
This concise, full-colour text challenges many entrenched perceptions about insect effects on our lives. Beginning with a summary of insect biology and ecology that affect their interactions with other organisms, it goes on to describe the various positive and negative ways in which insects and humans interact. The final chapters describe factors that affect insect abundance and approaches to managing insects that balance their impacts.
The first textbook to cater directly to those studying "insect and society" or "insect ecology" modules, Insects and Society will also be fascinating reading for anyone interested in learning how insects affect human affairs and in applying more sustainable approaches to "managing" insects. This includes K-12 teachers, undergraduate students, amateur entomologists, conservation practitioners, environmentalists, as well as natural resource managers, land use planners and environmental policy makers.
1 Introduction
2 What Makes Insects Different?
3 Insect Effects on Human History
4 Nuisances
5 Structural Pests
6 Venomous and Poisonous Arthropods
7 Parasites and Disease Transmission
8 Crop Pests
9 Forest Pests
10 Insects as Food
11 Medical and Industrial Materials
12 Cultural Value and Artistic Expression
13 Crop Pollination
14 Decomposition
15 Biological Control
16 Forensic Science
17 Insects as Indicators of Environmental Change
18 Why Do Insects Become Pests?
19 Deciding When and How to Control Insects
20 Concluding Remarks
Prof. Timothy Schowalter received his PhD in Entomology from the University of Georgia, USA (1979), where he studied insect responses to forest harvest practices. He subsequently trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Texas A&M University, USA, studying bark beetle population dynamics and effects on pine forest ecosystems. He continued to work on insect responses to changing forest conditions and effects on forest ecosystems as a professor at Oregon State University, USA, for 22 years (1981- 2003). Much of his research has been in conjunction with the US Long Term Ecological Research Network. Prof. Schowalter moved to Louisiana State University in 2003 as Department Head of Entomology, serving in that capacity until 2015.
"Insects are the most species-rich and important organisms on earth, and that's why there are many university courses dedicated to the topic of Insects and Society. But, surprisingly, this is the first textbook specifically created for those courses. The content in this textbook is not only ideal for introductory courses, but it also is great for K12 instructors, insatiably curious children, and indeed anyone fascinated by insects and their impact on people."
– Robert K. D. Peterson, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Montana State University and Past President, Entomological Society of America
"Society is undervaluing the role of insects as pivotal drivers of ecosystem functioning and services. Addressing this deficit is a major merit of this book."
– Teja Tscharntke, Professor and Head of the Agroecology Research Group at the University of Göttingen, Germany
