Arthropod pests are responsible for huge annual losses in global crop production and for transmitting a number of infectious diseases. The control of such pests is therefore of the utmost importance. An Introduction to Arthropod Pest Control provides an up-to-date, detailed overview of current approaches to pest control including chemical pest control, the use of biological and biorational control agents, as well as the latest developments in biotechnology. The book specifically emphasises the techniques available for controlling pests using examples of crop pests, animal pests, and pests that transmit disease, from a wide range of countries. The book is intended as a standard introductory text for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of pest control, entomology, crop protection, and agricultural and environmental sciences. It is also aimed at professional pest control practitioners and government employees working in extension services.
Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. A brief history of arthropod pest control; 2. Botanical insecticides; 3. Modern synthetic insecticides; 4. Formulation, application and the direct and indirect side-effects of insecticides; 5. Biological control agents; 6. Microbial pest control; 7. Pheromones and pest control; 8. Insect growth regulators; 9. Genetic manipulation of pest species; 10. Host-plant resistance; 11. Cultural techniques and organic farming; 12. Integrated pest management (IPM); 13. Biotechnology and pest control; Glossary; Index.
J. R. M. Thacker is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Paisley in Scotland, UK.
'This book provides an up-to-date and well-balanced overview of current approaches to pest control. Each chapter ends with a short statement summarising the major achievements and disadvantages of each technique. ! this is a useful source of reference to current approaches to pest control.' Journal of Experimental Agriculture 'In sum, the book does exactly what it says on the cover, and does it well: it provides a solid introduction to arthropod pest control that will be of great use to those starting out in the field. Pests beware!' Journal of Agricultural Science 'A collective information is a very useful introduction to a complex discipline, and every reader is likely to learn something new from the great variety of information included. Many students are likely to appreciate the author's efforts to encompass such a large array of material within such a concise and affordable book.' T. R. New '! the book does exactly what it says on the cover, and does it well: it provides a solid introduction to arthropod pest control that will be of great use to those starting out in this field. Pests beware!' Journal of Agricultural Science