Termites: Biology and Pest Management

Termites: Biology and Pest Management

by M J Pearce, formerly of the Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, Kent, UK

Pub Date: November 1997
Hardback
192 pages

Readership
Advanced students of entomology and pest management, as well as professionals concerned with urban and agricultural pest control.

Main Description
Termites are of great interest to both entomologists and those concerned with pest management. On the one hand their complex social systems and nest building make them fascinating for students of insect behaviour, while on the other they are major pests of crops and buildings in the tropics and subtropics.
This book provides a general scientific introduction to the termites, including their biology, behaviour, pest status and control. Commonly used ecological and laboratory techniques are described in appendices. There has been no such general book published for many years and so this title will fill a definite gap in the market. It is aimed at advanced students of entomology and pest management, as well as professionals concerned with urban and agricultural pest control.

Reviews
From the Foreword: “Mike Pearce has not only undertaken a formidable task, but has completed it in an exemplary fashion with a unique international flavour. Welcome to the world of termites!" J. Kenneth Grace, Professor of Entomology, University of Hawaii.

Main Contents
Termites as Insects
• What is a termite?
• Evolution
• Relationship to cockroaches
• Castes of termites
• Classification of termites Distribution
• World distribution
• Pest distribution
• Factors affecting distribution
Termite Biology and Behaviour
• Communication
• Feeding
• Water requirements
• Defence
• Foraging
• Nest building
Nest Systems
• Nest types
• Termitophiles
Termite Ecology
• Soil type
• Vegetation types
• Benefits to the environment
• Environmental factors
• Predators and parasites
• Other uses of Termites
Termites as Pests
• Food preferences
• Damage recognition and detection
• Damage assessment
Control Methods
• Chemical control
• Physical and cultural control
• Biological control
• Safety
• Future control Appendices
Index