This field manual is designed to provide background and instruction on a broad spectrum of techniques and their use in the evaluation of entomopathogens in the field. The second edition provides updated information and includes two additional chapters and 12 new contributors. The intended audience includes researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management (IPM), regulators and those conducting environmental impact studies of entomopathogens.

Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, Second Edition, describes a wide range of techniques used in the identification, isolation, propagation/cultivation, bioassay, quantification, preservation, and storage of the major groups of entomopathogens, including entomophthorales, entomopathogenic fungi, entomopathogenic bacteria of the Bacilli, Nematode parasites, and pathogens and parasites of terrestrial molluscs. The book presents the perspectives of an international group of experts in the fields of invertebrate pathology, including microbiology, mycology, virology, nematology, biological control, and integrated pest management. Organized into 15 chapters, the book covers methods for the study of virtually every major group of entomopathogen, as well as methods for discovery and diagnosis of entomopathogens and the use of complementary methods for microscopy. It discusses the use of molecular techniques for identifying and determining phylogeny, factors that contribute to resistance to entomopathogens, and several other aspects of the science of invertebrate pathology. It also explains initial handling and diagnosis of diseased invertebrates, basic techniques in insect virology, and bioassay of bacterial entomopathogens against insect larvae. In addition, the reader is introduced to the use of bacteria against soil-inhabiting insects and preservation of entomopathogenic fungal cultures. The remaining chapters focus on research methods for entomopathogenic microsporidia and other protists, how the pathogenicity and infectivity of entomopathogens to mammals are tested, and preparations of entomopathogens and diseased specimens for more detailed study using microscopy. Experienced insect pathologists, biologists, entomologists, students, biotechnology personnel, technicians, those working in the biopesticide industry, and government regulators will find this manual extremely helpful. Step-by-step instructions for the latest techniques on how to isolate, identify, culture, bioassay and store the major groups of entomopathogens New edition fully updated to address changes in the taxonomy of the vast majority of taxa Discussion of safety testing of entomopathogens in mammals and also broader methods such as microscopy and molecular techniques Provides extensive supplemental literature and recipes for media, fixatives and stains

The 38 chapters of this Field Manual provide the tools required for planning experiments with entomopathogens and their implementation in the field. Basic tools include chapters on the theory and practice of microbial control agents, statistical design of experiments, equipment and application strategies. The major pathogen groups are covered in individual chapters (virus, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, nematodes). Subsequent chapters deal with the impact of naturally occurring and introduced exotic pathogens and inundative application of microbial control agents. The largest section of the Manual is composed of 21 chapters on the application and evaluation of entomopathogens in a wide range of agricultural, forest, domestic and aquatic habitats. Mites and slugs broaden the scope of the book. Supplementary techniques and media for follow-up laboratory studies are described. Three final chapters cover the evaluation of Bt transgenic plants, resistance to insect pathogens and strategies to manage it, and guidelines for evaluating the effects of MCAs on nontarget organisms. Readership: Researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management, regulators, those doing environmental impact studies. The book is a stand-alone reference, but is also complementary to the laboratory-oriented Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology and similar comprehensive texts.

1. Initial Handling and Diagnosis of Diseased Invertebrates / Lawrence A. Lacey and Leellen Solter -- 2. Basic Techniques in Insect Virology / Karolin E. Eberle, Jorg T. Wennmann, Regina G. Kleespies and Johannes A. Jehle -- 3. Isolation, Culture, Preservation, and Identification of Entomopathogenic Bacteria of the Bacilli. / Tanja W. Fisher and Steven F. Garczynski -- 4. Bioassay of Bacterial Entomopathogens Against Insect Larvae / Maureen O'Callaghan, Travis R. Glare and Lawrence A. Lacey --5. Bacteria for use Against Soil-Inhabitating Insects / Albrecht M. Koppenhofer, Trevor A. Jackson, and Michael G. Klein -- 6. Identification of Entomopathogenic Fungi / Richard A. Humber -- 7. Laboratory Techniques Used for Entomopathogenic Fungi: Hypocreales / G. Douglas Inglis, Juerg Enkerli, and Mark S. Goettel -- 8. Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Hypocreales / Stefan T. Jaronski and Mark A. Jackson -- 9. Methods for the Study of Entomophthorales / Ann E. Hajek, Bernard Papierok, and Jurg ...

Biological Techniques is a series of volumes aimed at introducing to a wide audience the latest advances in methodology. The pitfalls and problems of new techniques are given due consideration, as are those small but vital details not always explicit in the methods sections of journal papers. In recent years, most biological laboratories have been invaded by computers and a wealth of new DNA technology and this will be reflected in many of the titles appearing in the series. The books will be of value to advances researches and graduate students seeking to learn and apply new techniques, and will be useful to teachers of advanced undergraduate courses involving practical or project work. This manual describes the broad array of techniques that are used in insect pathology. It will provide biologists, insect pathologists, entomologists, and those interested in biological control, with the necessary information to work on a variety of pathogen groups. This book will be an essential laboratory reference for insect pathologists. Features include: * Step by-step instructions on how to isolate, identify, culture, bioassay and store the major groups of entomopathogens * Details of the practical knowledge needed by beginners to apply the techniques * Chapters written by an international group of experts * Discussion of safety testing of entomopathogens in mammals and also broader methods such as microscopy and molecular techniques * Provides extensive supplemental literature and recipes for media, fixatives and stains

Microbial Control of Insect and Mite Pests: From Theory to Practice is an important source of information on microbial control agents and their implementation in a variety of crops and their use against medical and veterinary vector insects, in urban homes and other structures, in turf and lawns, and in rangeland and forests. This comprehensive and enduring resource on entomopathogens and microbial control additionally functions as a supplementary text to courses in insect pathology, biological control, and integrated pest management. It gives regulators and producers up-to-date information to support their efforts to facilitate and adopt this sustainable method of pest management. Authors include an international cadre of experts from academia, government research agencies, technical representatives of companies that produce microbial pesticides, agricultural extension agents with hands on microbial control experience in agriculture and forestry, and other professionals working in public health and urban entomology. Covers all pathogens, including nematodes Addresses the rapidly progressing developments in insect pathology and microbial control, particularly with regard to molecular methods Demonstrates practical use of entomopathogenic microorganisms for pest control, including tables describing which pathogens are available commercially Highlights successful practices in microbial control of individual major pests in temperate, subtropical, and tropical zones Features an international group of contributors, each of which is an expert in their fields of research related to insect pathology and microbial control

A rapidly growing interdisciplinary field, disease ecology merges key ideas from ecology, medicine, genetics, immunology, and epidemiology to study how hosts and pathogens interact in populations, communities, and entire ecosystems. Bringing together contributions from leading international experts on the ecology of diseases among invertebrate species, this book provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the field. Beginning with an introductory overview of general principles and methodologies, the book continues with in-depth discussions of a range of critical issues concerning invertebrate disease epidemiology, molecular biology, vectors, and pathogens. Topics covered in detail include: Methods for studying the ecology of invertebrate diseases and pathogens Invertebrate pathogen ecology and the ecology of pathogen groups Applied ecology of invertebrate pathogens Leveraging the ecology of invertebrate pathogens in microbial control Prevention and management of infectious diseases of aquatic invertebrates Ecology of Invertebrate Diseases is a necessary and long overdue addition to the world literature on this vitally important subject. This volume belongs on the reference shelves of all those involved in the environmental sciences, genetics, microbiology, marine biology, immunology, epidemiology, fisheries and wildlife science, and related disciplines.