Insect-Plant Biology 2nd Ed.

Half of all insect species are dependent on living plant tissues, consuming about 10% of plant annual production in natural habitats and an even greater percentage in agricultural systems, despite sophisticated control measures. Plants are generally remarkably well-protected against insect attack, with the result that most insects are highly specialized feeder Table of Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. Herbivorous insects: something for everyone; 3. Plant structure: the solidity of anti-herbivore protection; 4. Plant chemistry: endless variety; 5. Plants as insect food: not the ideal; 6. Host-plant selection: how to find a host plant; 7. Host-plant selection: when to accept a plant; 8. Host-plant selection: variation is the rule; 9. The endocrine system of herbivores listens to host-plant signals; 10. Ecology: living apart together; 11. Evolution: insects and plants forever in combat; 12. Insects and flowers: mutualism par excellence; 13. Insects and plants: how to apply our knowledge; Appendix A: Further reading; Appendix B: Structural formulae; Appendix C: Methodology; Taxonomic index; Author index; Subject index