Biological control is among the most promising methods for control of pests, diseases and weeds, and this book treats ecological and societal aspects together for the first time. The aim is to evaluate the significance of certain biological properties like biodiversity and natural habitats. In a societal approach terms like ‘consumer’s attitude’, ‘risk perception’, ‘learning and education’ and ‘value triangle’ are recognized as significant for biological production and human welfare.

This book provides recent contributions of current strategies to control insect pests written by experts in their respective fields. Topics include semiochemicals based insect management techniques, assessment of lethal dose/concentrations, strategies for efficient biological control practices, bioinsecticidal formulations and mechanisms of action involving RNAi technology, light-trap collection of insects, the use of sex pheromonal components and attractants for pest insect capture, measures to increase plant resistance in forest plantations, the use of various baculoviruses as biopesticides, and effect of a pathogenic bacterium against an endangered butterfly species. There are several other chapters that focus on insect vectors, including biting midges as livestock vectors in Tunisia, mosquitoes as vectors in Brazil, human disease vectors in Tanzania, pathogenic livestock and human vectors in Africa, insect vectors of Chagas disease, and transgenic and paratransgenic biotechnologies against dipteran pests and vectors. This book targets general biologists, entomologists, ecologists, zoologists, virologists, and epidemiologists, including both teachers and students.

Covering the theory and practice of non-insecticidal control of insect vectors of human disease, this book provides an overview of methods including the use of botanical biocides and insect-derived semiochemicals, with an overall focus on integrated vector management strategies. While the mainstay of malaria control programmes relies on pesticides, there is a resurgence in the research and utilisation of non-insecticidal control measures due to concerns over rapid development and spread of insecticide resistance, and long-term environmental impacts. This book provides examples of successful applications in the field and recommendations for future use.

Entomopathogenic bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis and B. sphaericus) are increasingly used as biopesticides to control larval insect populations which are either agricultural or forestry pests and to reduce those which as adults are vectors of severe human diseases. This new book, the first since 1993 to address all aspects of entomopathogenic bacteria, provides undergraduate and graduate students as well as research scientists with a complete, modern view of this important group of bacteria. The authors, chosen for their sustained contributions to the field, cover both fundamental and applied research in this area. The main topics include bacterial ecology and taxonomy, toxin diversity, activity and mode of action, regulation and environment of the genes, safety and ecotoxicology, production and field application of the bacteria, and outbreaks of resistant populations. The book concludes with the most recent data obtained on transgenic biotechnology and addresses environmental impact issues.

Mosquitoes and their Control presents a multitude of information on bionomics, systematics, ecology and control of both pestiferous (nuisance) and disease vectors in an easily readable style providing practical guidance and important information to both professional and layman alike. Ninety-two species and subspecies belonging to 8 genera and 18 subgenera are described in the fully illustrated identification keys to adult females and males and fourth-instar larvae. The illustrated keys are followed by a detailed description of the morphology, biology and distribution of each species including over 700 detailed drawings.