This book reviews interagency research and development of classical (importation) biological control of Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) conducted in the USA from 1992- 2002. The successful discovery, evaluation, release, and establishment of at least five exotic B. tabaci natural enemies in rapid response to the devastating infestations in the USA represents a landmark in interagency cooperation and coordination of multiple disciplines. The review covers all key aspects of the classical biocontrol program, beginning with foreign exploration and quarantine culture, through dev- opment of mass rearing methodology, laboratory and field evaluation for efficacy, to field releases, integration with other management approaches, and monitoring for establishment and potential non-target impacts. The importance of morphological and molecular taxonomy to the success of the program is also emphasized. The book’s contributors include 28 USDA, state department of agriculture, and univ- sity scientists who participated in various aspects of the project. Bemisia tabaci continues to be a pest of major concern in many parts of the world, especially since the recent spread of the Q biotype, so the publication of a review of the biological control program for the B biotype is especially timely. We anticipate that our review of the natural enemies that were evaluated and which have established in the USA will benefit researchers and IPM practitioners in other nations affected by B. tabaci.

While we may have always assumed that insects employ auditory communication, our understanding of it has been impeded by various technical challenges. In comparison to the study of an insect's visual and olfactory expression, research in the area of acoustic communication has lagged behind. Filling this void, Insect Sounds and Communication is the

This book reviews and synthesizes the recent advances in exploiting host plant resistance to insects, highlighting the role of molecular techniques in breeding insect resistant crops. It also provides an overview of the fascinating field of insect-plant relationships, which is fundamental to the study of host-plant resistance to insects. Further, it discusses the conventional and molecular techniques utilized/useful in breeding for resistance to insect-pests including back-cross breeding, modified population improvement methods for insect resistance, marker-assisted backcrossing to expedite the breeding process, identification and validation of new insect-resistance genes and their potential for utilization, genomics, metabolomics, transgenesis and RNAi. Lastly, it analyzes the successes, limitations and prospects for the development of insect-resistant cultivars of rice, maize, sorghum and millet, cotton, rapeseed, legumes and fruit crops, and highlights strategies for management of insect biotypes that limit the success and durability of insect-resistant cultivators in the field. Arthropod pests act as major constraints in the agro-ecosystem. It has been estimated that arthropod pests may be destroying around one-fifth of the global agricultural production/potential production every year. Further, the losses are considerably higher in the developing tropics of Asia and Africa, which are already battling severe food shortage. Integrated pest management (IPM) has emerged as the dominant paradigm for minimizing damage by the insects and non-insect pests over the last 50 years. Pest resistant cultivars represent one of the most environmentally benign, economically viable and ecologically sustainable options for utilization in IPM programs. Hundreds of insect-resistant cultivars of rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, cotton, sugarcane and other crops have been developed worldwide and are extensively grown for increasing and/or stabilizing crop productivity. The annual economic value of arthropod resistance genes developed in global agriculture has been estimated to be greater than US$ 2 billion Despite the impressive achievements and even greater potential in minimizing pest- related losses, only a handful of books have been published on the topic of host-plant resistance to insects. This book fills this wide gap in the literature on breeding insect- resistant crops. It is aimed at plant breeders, entomologists, plant biotechnologists and IPM experts, as well as those working on sustainable agriculture and food security.

This authoritative multi-author reference covers the pests of all major vegetable crops grown outdoors in temperate latitudes. Details are given on the geographical distribution, description, life-cycle, damage and control of each pest. Emphasis is given to non-chemical methods of pest management.

The Concise Illustrated Dictionary of Biocontrol Terms includes basic terminology related to the biological control of pests, together with state-of-the-art scientific and practical terms, for expedient comprehension and analysis of present, forecasted or in situ pest management problems. In addition, it also provides the names of the most common pesticides and predators commercially available in different continents (Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa), as well as target pests and diseases of these agents, making it a tangible tool for prompt management actions. The dictionary is copiously illustrated with original pictures clarifying the most commonly used terms and the identity of organisms in biocontrol technology, with content that is both scientifically rigorous and clear. The biological control of pests using living organisms, or products from their activities, is an independent branch of science based on multiple disciplines including general biology, zoology, entomology, phytopathology, microbiology and others. As a result, the field of biological control has its own specific terminology that needs to be understood and applied correctly across this variety of disciplines, including among those approaching the field from a different area of expertise and who may have difficulty understanding the terms used by experts in the field. This compact illustrated guide will appeal to the scientific community working in integrated pest management disciplines, as well as those researching, studying, and working with interest in protecting natural resources at a global, local, and individual level, in a variety of locations including the lab, garden, field, or forest. - Enables understanding of the terminology used in biological control for professionals, researchers and students in a variety of scientific fields - Features clear images and photographs to help identify insects and pathogens - Ideal for in situ use in both the lab and field pest management protocols