Entomology Monographs – Serie

This book provides an overview of our current understanding of polyembryony in insects. The study of polyembronic insects has advanced considerably over the last several decades.The book shows the exciting potential of polyembryonic insects and their impact on life sciences. It describes the mechanisms of polyembryogenesis; tissue-compatible invasion of the host, which is the first case of compatible cellular interaction between phylogenetically distant organisms without rejection; the sex differences in defense; and the environmental regulation of caste structure. The first book devoted to polyembryony in insects, it draws on the author’s research on polyembryonic wasps from 1990 to the present day, covering various topics such as polyembryogenesis in vitro, host-parasite interaction, sex differences in soldier function/humoral toxic factor, and the transcription analysis of polyembryogenesis.It is intended not only for researchers in the field of entomology, parasitology, ontogeny, reproductive biology, developmental biology, sociobiology, and evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo), but also for postgraduate students in these fields.

This book provides an overview of our current understanding of polyembryony in insects. The study of polyembronic insects has advanced considerably over the last several decades.The book shows the exciting potential of polyembryonic insects and their impact on life sciences. It describes the mechanisms of polyembryogenesis; tissue-compatible invasion of the host, which is the first case of compatible cellular interaction between phylogenetically distant organisms without rejection; the sex differences in defense; and the environmental regulation of caste structure. The first book devoted to polyembryony in insects, it draws on the author’s research on polyembryonic wasps from 1990 to the present day, covering various topics such as polyembryogenesis in vitro, host-parasite interaction, sex differences in soldier function/humoral toxic factor, and the transcription analysis of polyembryogenesis.It is intended not only for researchers in the field of entomology, parasitology, ontogeny, reproductive biology, developmental biology, sociobiology, and evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo), but also for postgraduate students in these fields.

This book provides a complete overview of cutting-edge research on insect sex pheromones and pheromone communication systems. The coverage ranges from the chemistry, biosynthesis, and reception of sex pheromones to the control of odor-source searching behavior, and from molecules to the application of research findings to robotics. The book both summarizes the progress of studies conducted using Bombyx mori and several groups of moths and reviews sex pheromones of some non-lepidopteran insect groups of agricultural importance. Attention is drawn to recent findings on elaborate neural information processing in the brain in male moths and to the importance of olfactory receptors specifically tuned to sex pheromone molecules. Featuring contributions from leading experts on the topic, this book will be a unique and valuable resource for researchers and students in the fields of entomology, chemical ecology, insect physiology and biochemistry, evolution, biomimetics, and bioengineering. In addition to researchers, general insect lovers will find the book fascinating for its descriptions of the marvelous abilities of insects and the underlying mechanisms involved.

This book provides a complete overview of cutting-edge research on insect sex pheromones and pheromone communication systems. The book both summarizes the progress of studies conducted using Bombyx mori and several groups of moths and reviews sex pheromones of some non-lepidopteran insect groups of agricultural importance.

This book presents the whole picture of the ecological and evolutionary study on the ground beetle group, the subgenus Ohomopterus of the genus Carabus, endemic to Japan. This flightless beetle group consists of many geographic races. They show divergence in key traits for reproductive isolation—body size and genital morphology, which leads to coexistence of two or more species. This beetle group provides an important material to study how a lineage of organisms diversify and form multi-species assemblage, and thereby multiply their species richness. The book introduces novel genomic approaches to resolve questions about evolution of Ohomopterus. The readers will find that this story of evolution in Carabus beetles revealed by recent approaches is much different from what was told in previous literature.Exploring different cases across a wide range of lineages is important in constructing a synthetic theory of species radiation and richness, includingspeciation and species coexistence. This study on Ohomopterus beetles contributes to the ongoing discussion to understand how and why species multiply and how species richness increases in one area of our planet.

This book presents the whole picture of the ecological and evolutionary study on the ground beetle group, the subgenus Ohomopterus of the genus Carabus, endemic to Japan. This flightless beetle group consists of many geographic races. They show divergence in key traits for reproductive isolation—body size and genital morphology, which leads to coexistence of two or more species. This beetle group provides an important material to study how a lineage of organisms diversify and form multi-species assemblage, and thereby multiply their species richness. The book introduces novel genomic approaches to resolve questions about evolution of Ohomopterus. The readers will find that this story of evolution in Carabus beetles revealed by recent approaches is much different from what was told in previous literature.Exploring different cases across a wide range of lineages is important in constructing a synthetic theory of species radiation and richness, includingspeciation and species coexistence. This study on Ohomopterus beetles contributes to the ongoing discussion to understand how and why species multiply and how species richness increases in one area of our planet.

This book presents the discoveries made during nearly three decades of research on the parental shield bug, Parastrachia japonensis inhabiting Kyushu Island, Japan. P. japonensis has evolved a unique and fascinating life history, characterized by extreme behavioral and physiological adaptations that have culminated in a singularly dependent relationship with its lone host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Olacaceae), which is a generally scarce and unreliable resource.It is expected that the evolution of parental care behaviors in the strictly semelparous P. japonensis was more directly influenced by the benefit to females that arises from enhanced survivorship of current offspring, rather than any possible cost the females might incur in terms of reduced future reproductive success, because no future reproduction is possible. The authors explain how the different parental cares in this species enhance offspring survivorship in the context of the ecological conditions it has experienced over evolutionary time.The book begins with a recap of the earliest studies, the reports through 1991, and then introduces the many fascinating aspects of the life history, neurobiology, physiology and behavior of P. japonensis that have been newly discovered since, and those aspects that have been confirmed through experimentation over the past thirty years. This comprehensive review of information will be useful for comparative studies of parental care in other semelparous and iteroparous organisms experiencing both similar and different ecological constraints. The book will be of academic interest to undergraduate and graduate students of entomology, zoology, behavior, and behavioral ecology.

This book presents the discoveries made during nearly three decades of research on the parental shield bug, Parastrachia japonensis inhabiting Kyushu Island, Japan. P. japonensis has evolved a unique and fascinating life history, characterized by extreme behavioral and physiological adaptations that have culminated in a singularly dependent relationship with its lone host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Olacaceae), which is a generally scarce and unreliable resource.It is expected that the evolution of parental care behaviors in the strictly semelparous P. japonensis was more directly influenced by the benefit to females that arises from enhanced survivorship of current offspring, rather than any possible cost the females might incur in terms of reduced future reproductive success, because no future reproduction is possible. The authors explain how the different parental cares in this species enhance offspring survivorship in the context of the ecological conditions it has experienced over evolutionary time.The book begins with a recap of the earliest studies, the reports through 1991, and then introduces the many fascinating aspects of the life history, neurobiology, physiology and behavior of P. japonensis that have been newly discovered since, and those aspects that have been confirmed through experimentation over the past thirty years. This comprehensive review of information will be useful for comparative studies of parental care in other semelparous and iteroparous organisms experiencing both similar and different ecological constraints. The book will be of academic interest to undergraduate and graduate students of entomology, zoology, behavior, and behavioral ecology.

This book provides practical ecological, ethological, evolutionary, and biogeographic data for gall-inducing cecidomyiids, their galls and host plants, based on field surveys, laboratory experiments and genetic analysis.

This book provides practical ecological, ethological, evolutionary, and biogeographic data for gall-inducing cecidomyiids, their galls and host plants, based on field surveys, laboratory experiments and genetic analysis.

This book examines the mechanisms and functions of tonic immobility, the so-called death feigning behavior, or thanatosis, or animal hypnosis.

This book examines the mechanisms and functions of tonic immobility, the so-called death feigning behavior, or thanatosis, or animal hypnosis.

This book provides a comprehensive view of the insect neuroendocrine system, incorporating recent advances in bioinformatics, comparative genomics, and molecular genetic approaches.Part I traces the history of the development of insect peptide hormone research and offers an overview of insect peptide hormones and neuropeptides. Special attention is given to their relatedness to vertebrate counterparts and to the structural features of the insect neuroendocrine system, providing readers with an overall picture of insect neuroendocrinology. Part II illustrates the diverse functions of peptide hormones and neuropeptides in insects, including a brief history of the study of each hormone and recent advances in each area of study. A unique feature of this book as a textbook of insect endocrinology is its comparison of peptide hormones and neuropeptides between insects and other animals from a molecular phylogenetic perspective. New additions include the distribution of endocrine/neuroendocrine cells and peptidergic neurons that produce each neuropeptide within the insect body, as well as the distribution of each neuropeptide gene among the genomes of representative insect groups. As these topics have emerged over the past decade, this book offers readers their first opportunity to learn about them.This book is intended primarily for researchers and graduate students in insect science, especially endocrinology and physiology. It may also interest researchers working on the endocrinology of non-insect animals, including vertebrates. General readers and undergraduate students interested in this topic may also find it accessible and informative.

This book reviews the chemical structure, biosynthesis and function of insect juvenile hormone (JH). JH possesses a unique sesquiterpenoid structure that is uncommon among animal hormones. Since Sir Vincent Wigglesworth first reported the function of JH using an insect of Heteroptera in 1934, its structure and properties have long attracted the attention of many insect physiologists. Moreover, its unique chemical structure and biosynthetic process have led to the expectation that it could be developed for applications such as pest control.Starting from the history of JH research, this book covers its chemical structure, biosynthesis, functions, and applications. The book focuses on the findings that have been clarified in recent years, such as the chemical structure, the biosynthetic processes, receptors and molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating various physiological functions in JH, while also referring to the classical properties of the hormone. The book also emphasizes applied research, exploring the potential of new insecticides and examining the impact of JH on environmental responses.With contributions from international experts, the book culminates the 90 years of JH research, highlighting the contributions of the Japanese research community to its advancement and its global significance. The editors are the leading researchers who first found the key enzyme in the JH biosynthesis and determined the chemical structure of the JH specific to Heteroptera.Target audiences are researchers and graduate students in biological sciences, especially insect endocrinology and molecular biology. Industry professionals and those interested in environmental science and applied ecology may also find this book of interest.

From the perspective of global pest control, the book focuses not only on domestic pests in Japan but also on pests in neighboring Asian countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, etc., which are geographically and economically close to Japan.

This book explores the various functions of butterfly and moth wings. Since many of the wing functions are attributed to or assisted by the scale functions, an understanding of the scale functions is necessary to understand the wing functions.

This book explores the various functions of butterfly and moth wings. Lepidoptera wings are covered with variously colored scales and exhibit a wide variety of color patterns, with some functioning as significant signals in behavior. They are also the flight organs, as the wings of the other insects are. Although research on Lepidopteran wings has predominantly focused on the color patterns and flight performance, they have many other functions that contribute to their lives.Chapters in this book examine airflow regulation, behavioral signal sending, friction reduction, sensory signal reception, pheromone secretion, antireflection, and high hydrophobicity. Utilizing the perspectives from biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, the author explores the functions, structures, construction, and development of these functional wings. Since many of the wing functions are attributed to or assisted by the scale functions, an understanding of the scale functions is necessary to understand the wing functions. The book includes chapters on the marginal scale morphology and function of the small moth wing, as well as the development of the wing with scales. Programmed cell death, which plays a crucial role in the development of the functional wing, is also described.The extensive descriptions offer new insights into Lepidoptera wings and may inspire ingenious devices from a physics and engineering perspective. In particular, the physiological approach to the wing mechanoreception in this book is the first for butterfly and moth wings to thoroughly investigate their intricate mechanisms.With numerous figures to aid the understanding of readers, the book will appeal to researchers and graduate students interested in entomology, biomimetics and physics.

This book reviews the physiological mechanisms of diverse insect clocks, including circadian clock, lunar clock, tidal clock, photoperiodism, circannual rhythms and others.