The Insects: Structure and Function

Abstract

Fifth edition / edited by Stephen J. Simpson, the University of Sydney, Australia, Angela E. Douglas, Cornell University, New York, USA. "The Insects has been the standard textbook in the field since the first edition published over forty years ago. Building on the strengths of Chapman's original text, this long-awaited 5th edition has been revised and expanded by a team of eminent insect physiologists, bringing it fully up-to-date for the molecular era. The chapters retain the successful structure of the earlier editions, focusing on particular functional systems rather than taxonomic groups and making it easy for students to delve into topics without extensive knowledge of taxonomy. The focus is on form and function, bringing together basic anatomy and physiology and examining how these relate to behaviour. This, combined with nearly 600 clear illustrations, provides a comprehensive understanding of how insects work. Now also featuring a richly illustrated prologue by George McGavin, this is an essential text for students, researchers and applied entomologists alike"-- pt. I. The head, ingestion, utilization and distribution of food : 1. Head -- 2. Mouthparts and feeding -- 3. Alimentary canal, digestion and absorption -- 4. Nutrition -- 5. Circulatory system, blood and the immune system -- 6. Fat body -- pt. II. The thorax and locomotion : 7. Thorax -- 8. Legs and locomotion -- 9. Wings and flight -- 10. Muscles -- pt. III. The abdomen, reproduction and development : 11. Abdomen -- 12. Reproductive system : male -- 13. Reproductive system : female -- 14. The egg and embryology -- 15. Postembryonic development -- pt. IV. The integument, gas exchange and homeostasis : 16. Integument -- 17. Gaseous exchange -- 18. Excretion and salt and water regulation -- 19. Thermal relations -- pt. V. Communication : A. Physiological coordination within the insect : 20. Nervous system -- 21. Endocrine system -- B. Perception of the environment : 22. Vision -- 23. Mechanoreception -- 24. Chemoreception -- C. Communication with other organisms : 25. Visual signals : colour and light production -- 26. Mechanical communication : producing sound and substrate vibrations -- 27. Chemical communication : pheromones and allelochemicals.