A unique summary of some of the most significant and exciting recent advances in arthropod endocrinology.

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is endocrinology, and this volume, Insect Endocrinology, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. Because this area has moved quickly since the original publication, articles in this new volume are revised, highlighting developments in the related area since its original publication. Insect Endocrinology covers the mechanism of action of insect hormones during growth and metamorphosis as well as the role of insect hormones in reproduction, diapause and the regulation of metabolism. Contents include articles on the juvenile hormones, circadian organization of the endocrine system, ecdysteroid chemistry and biochemistry, as well as new chapters on insulin-like peptides and the peptide hormone Bursicon. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas. - Articles selected by the known and respected editor-in-chief of the original major reference work, Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science - Newly revised contributions bring together the latest research in the quickly moving field of insect endocrinology - Review of the literature of the past five years is now included, as well as full use of data arising from the application of molecular technologies wherever appropriate

Advances in Invertebrate (Neuro)Endocrinology: A Collection of Reviews in the Post-Genomic Era (2-volume set) provides an informative series of reviews from expert scientists who are at the forefront of their research into the endocrinology of invertebrates. These two volumes are timely and appropriate in this post-genomic era because of the rapid pace of change brought about by genome projects, functional genomics, and genetics (omics technologies). The volume shows the rich history and strong tradition of cutting-edge research using invertebrates that has opened up our broader understanding of comparative endocrinology and the evolution of regulatory pathways and systems. These reviews set the scene and context for this exciting new era of understanding that has come from this post-genomic revolution. This book undertakes the daunting task of covering most of the diverse endocrine systems that exist among invertebrates. The papers in this book will advance our knowledge of invertebrate endocrinology but also of endocrinology in general, making the book will be valuable to researchers and students.

From 11 to 15 July 1977 about 60 physiologists, endo crinologists, ecologists and other biologists from 14 countries convened at the University Montpellier for a symposium on Environmental Endocrinology. This meet ing was organized as a Satellite Symposium of the 27th International Congress of Physiological Sciences, Paris, 18-23 July 1977. This volume is a record of the com munications presented at the symposium. The objectives of the program were to examine the role of the endocrine system in a wide spectrum of adjustments and adaptations to changes in environmental conditions by various spe cies of animals, including man, and to promote an ex change of ideas among investigators who have approached these functions from diverse aspects. The diversity of the information and ideas communicated is great. Of necessity, they represent only an extremely modest se lection of the many facets of endocrine function in the interaction of animals with their environments. Be yond the usefulness of the communications individually, we hope that they collectively demonstrate the substan tial heuristic value of the concept of environmental endocrinology as it was perceived by the participants. We acknowledge gratefully the kindness and sympathy of Professor Jaques ROUZAUD, President of the University of Montpellier II, for his generous extension of the hospitality of the University to the Symposium. We are most grateful to Mrs. Monique VIEU who effected so well the secretarial organization of the Sympos.

This book provides contributions on various topics pertaining to arthropods (insects and non-insects) written by experts in their respective fields. It targets a wide audience of entomologists, biologists, ecologists, zoologists, teachers, and students. The book is divided into four main sections on 'Development”, 'Food Detection and Feeding Behavior”, 'Vector-borne Diseases”, and 'Structure and Function of Vision”. Chapters address such topics as larval development and metamorphosis of non-insect arthropods, spatiotemporal dynamics of the silver leaf whitefly pest, the importance of three species of household cockroaches, lac insects that secrete resin worthy of industrial importance, the feeding behavior of some insects, and much more.

The need to continually discover new agents for the control or treatment of invertebrate pests and pathogens is undeniable. Agriculture, both animal and plant, succeeds only to the extent that arthropod and helminth consumers, vectors and pathogens can be kept at bay. Humans and their companion animals are also plagued by invertebrate parasites. The deployment of chemical agents for these purposes inevitably elicits the selection of resistant populations of the targets of control, necessitating a regular introduction of new kinds of molecules. Experience in other areas of chemotherapy has shown that a thorough understanding of the biology of disease is an essential platform upon which to build a discovery program. Unfortunately, investment of research resources into understanding the basic physiology of invertebrates as a strategy to illuminate new molecular targets for pesticide and parasiticide discovery has been scarce, and the pace of introduction of new molecules for these indications has been slowed as a result. An exciting and so far unexploited area to explore in this regard is invertebrate neuropeptide physiology. This book was assembled to focus attention on this promising field by compiling a comprehensive review of recent research on neuropeptides in arthropods and helminths, with contributions from many of the leading laboratories working on these systems.