1st Edition

Heteroptera of Economic Importance

Edited By Carl W. Schaefer, Antonio Ricardo Panizzi Copyright 2000

    Heteropterans regularly cause a wide variety and large number of problems for humans - at times on a catastrophic scale. The 37,000 described species of this suborder including many pests, disease transmitters, and nuisances exist worldwide, inflicting damage on crops, forests, orchards, and human life. Inspired by the widespread economic impact of this activity, Heteroptera of Economic Importance presents the most thorough, detailed account of true bugs to date, from the bloodsucking bed bug to the dreaded assassin bug. It is the definitive source for biological information not only on true bugs of economic importance, but on the general biology of the major families of Heteroptera as well.

    Heteroptera of Economic Importance integrates the best of insect-focused and crop-oriented references, synthesizing the biology, behavior, and ecology of the true bugs. Each entry includes a detailed life history, helping you to evaluate the impact of harmful and useful Heteroptera. The thorough, comprehensive bibliographies support further research. Separate indices to insects and plants let you adapt the book to your use. It covers the physiology of plant damage and predation by this cosmopolitan group. This coverage, along with information on control measures and natural enemies, helps you evaluate and compare the best methods of management.

    Heteroptera can be serious crop pests, harmful to humans, or can be valuable as biological control agents. This work discusses them individually, with expert presentation of the biology, distribution, damage, and control of each economically significant insect. As a resource that lets you easily access information and research on related bugs globally, Heteroptera of Economic Importance lends itself to sharing of ideas and information across geographical boundaries which will inevitably yield more research, new ideas, and better control.

    INTRODUCTION
    Economic Importance of Heteroptera: A General View, Carl W. Schaefer and Antônio R. Panizzi
    HARMFUL BUGS
    Possible Causes of Disease Symptoms Resulting from the Feeding of Phytophagous Heteroptera, Koji Hori
    Plant Bugs (Miridae) as Plant Pests, A. G. Wheeler, Jr.
    Lace Bugs (Tingidae), John W. Neal, Jr., and Carl W. Schaefer
    Palm Bugs (Thaumastocoroidae), Lionel Hill and Carl W. Schaefer
    Seed and Chinch Bugs (Lygaeoidea), Merrill H. Sweet, II
    Ash-Gray Leaf Bugs (Piesmatoidae), Narisu
    Cotton Stainers and Their Relatives (Pyrrhocoroidae: Pyrrhocoridae and Largidae), Carl W. Schaefer and Imtiaz Ahmad
    Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae), Carl W. Schaefer and Jill Kotulski
    Broad-Headed Bugs (Alydidae), Antônio R. Panizzi, Carl W. Schaefer, and Yoshiro Natuhara
    Leaf-Footed Bugs (Coreoidae), Paula Levin Mitchell
    Burrower Bugs (Cydnidae), Jerzy A. Lis, Miriam Becker, and Carl W. Schaefer
    Stink Bugs (Antônio R. Panizzi, J. E. McPherson, David G. James, M. Javahery, and Robert M. McPherson
    Shield Bugs (Scutellcridae), M. Javahery, Carl W. Schaefer, and John D. Lattin
    Several Small Pentatomoid Families (Cyrtocoridae, Dinidoridae, Eurostylidae, Plataspidae, and Tessaratomidae), Carl W. Schaefer, Antônio R. Panizzi, and David D. James
    Flat Bugs (Aradidae), Kari Heliövaara
    Bed Bugs (Cimicidae), Carl W. Schaefer
    Triatominae (Reduviidae), Eloi S. Garcia, Patricia de Azambuja, and João C. P. Diaz
    Adventitious Biters - "Nuisance" Bugs, Carl W. Schaefer
    USEFUL BUGS
    How Carnivorous Bugs Feed (Allen Carson Cohen
    Creeping Water Bugs (Naucoridae), Robert W. Sites
    Giant Water Bugs (Belostomatidae), P. Venkatesan
    Water Scorpions (Nepidae), Steven L. Keffer
    Small Aquatic Bugs (Nepomorpha) with Slight or Underestimated Economic Importance, Miroslave Papácek
    Semiaquatic Bugs (Gerromorpha), John R. Spence and Nils Møller Andersen
    Minute Pirate Bugs (Anthocoridae), John D. Lattin
    Damsel Bugs (Nabidae) S. Kristine Braman
    Predaceous Plant Bugs (Miridae), A. G. Wheeler
    Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae exluding Triatominae), Dunston P. Ambrose
    Economic Importance of Predation by Big-Eyed Bugs (Geocoridae), Merrill H. Sweet, II
    Stilt Bugs (Berytidae), Thomas J, Henry
    Predaceous Stinkbugs (Pentatomide: Asopinae), Patrick DeClercq

    Biography

    Carl W. Schaefer, Antonio Ricardo Panizzi

    "Carl Schaefer and Antônio Panizzi have been studying this group of arthropods for many years and therefore their experience and expertise have rendered the book highly refined and thorough... Each chapter commences with a concise and clear statement on the economic relevance of the chosen group, followed by a well articulated summary on the biology, behaviour, and ecology of the bugs, a section on prognosis, and a conclusion that identifies the key areas for future research. Students beginning research on the ecology and behaviour of Heteroptera and scientists working in areas of arthropod pest management and biological control will find the comments in the conclusion extremely relevant... The book includes close to 5000 references and that is a major strength... Indices listing plant and insect names are additional strengths of the book... this book will be useful to agricultural, veterinary, and medical entomologists... and ecologists working on the interactions of Heteroptera with plants and animals, in vector biology, and in biological control... From the ecological and biological points of view, the book is so complete that nothing more, I felt, can be added... Schaefer and Panizzi have done an outstanding job by producing an impressive and a highly useful book."
    - Oriental Insects, Vol. 36, No. 50, 2002