Fundamentals of Entomology

by Richard J. Elzinga and Richard J. Elzinga Professor Emeritus

Book Overview

Using an exceptionally clear writing style, minimal scientific jargon, and vivid photos and drawings, this book provides a comprehensive view of the fundamentals of entomology. It captures the rich... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0133381943
• ISBN13: 9780133381948
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Length: 422 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Didn't need much, but good reference material.

It's a good book on entomology, but didn't need it much for the class. Still, lots of good info if your having trouble. Wish there were some color pics, though. Good overall.

defense mechanisms in insects

Elzinga, Richard: Fundamentals of Entomology. Fifth edition. Upper saddle river, NewJersy. Prentice Hall 2000. The above text book is a 495 page book, ISBN number0-13-011493-6. The book provides a clear introduction to the world of insects. It talks about insect complexity and diversity and their influence on human and the ecosystem in general. There are several interesting concepts in the book but of interest to me was the defense mechanism in different insects. Insects like all organisms are eaten by predators. For protection, they have evolved morphological structures which permit them to bite, flee or sting the attacker. Other behaviors do exist to increase survival. For instance, insects like walking sticks have weakened areas at the trachnter that break under extreme stress. Such an act might occur when the insect is grabbed by a predator. Reflexes within the removed appendages cause the leg to twitch, which diverts attention from the escaping insect. Specialized membranes prevent bleeding and regeneration of the leg may be possible should future molts occur. Another interesting example is the defense mechanism in lady bird beetles and blister beetles. When threatened, some insects are capable of squeezing drops of hemolymph from specialized skeletal weak pints. The hemolymph contains toxic substances such as malachiines and cantharides or repellents. Other insects have the ability to feign death. Many beetles with hard exoskeletons feign death when disturbed and remain motionless for a few seconds or several hours. This lack of movement protects these individuals because many predators require movement of prey as an attack stimulus. Eventually the reflex subsides and then insect returns to normal. Some insects use chemical defense (allomones), a strategy common to insects with extended longevity hence longer exposure to predators and parasites. Although some of these substances are directed to specific predators, most are effective upon a broad spectrum of enemies. They are commonly released from exogenous glands in insects, however, some are present in the hemolymph and are leaked out between sclerites with increased blood pressure. Anal glands in many beetles secrete volatile fluids some of which are ejected with explosive force for distance up to 1 m. Predators react to such fluids as either repellents or irritants, although few are killed. Other insects like moths use sonic behavior to escape predation. Concealing coloration is a common mechanism. Insects blend with their background hence difficult to see. This is called concealing or cryptic coloration. Some like walking sticks resemble twigs while others like treehoppers resemble thorns. This is a successful mechanism unless the insect moves then the predator detects it. The book fully fulfilled my expectations. Reading the introduction was fun and this is what actually triggered me to read the entire book. The book can suit both young people and the old. The reason is that it t