Insects and Their Beneficial Microbes

Insects and Their Beneficial Microbes is an authoritative and accessible synthesis of insect associations with beneficial microorganisms, exploring how insects acquire and support their microbial partners, how microorganisms contribute to insect nutrition, defense, and detoxification, and how beneficial microbes can be harnessed to solve real-world problems in insect pest management and biomedical therapies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Insects and their beneficial microbes are a fascinating and intricate subject that has been the focus of extensive research in recent years. This comprehensive overview, authored by Angela Douglas, delves into the diverse symbiotic relationships between insects and microorganisms, shedding light on their roles and applications in agriculture, medicine, and other fields.

Douglas begins by examining how insects acquire and support their microbial partners, exploring the mechanisms by which these microorganisms contribute to insect nutrition, defense against natural enemies, and detoxification of natural allelochemicals and chemical insecticides. She also discusses the use of beneficial microbes to solve real-world problems in insect pest management, such as suppressing the transmission of viruses and microbial disease agents by mosquitoes and other insects.

Furthermore, Douglas explores the use of insects as biomedical models for effective microbial therapies, discussing how knowledge of insect-microbial interactions can promote the health of beneficial insects, especially in the context of environmental pollutants and climate change. She also provides a much-needed conceptual framework for the growing discipline of insect-microbial interactions, offering a wealth of insights into insect symbioses from molecular, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives.

Insects and their beneficial microbes are a rich source of potential applications in various industries, including agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. By understanding the complex interactions between these organisms, researchers can develop new strategies for pest management, disease control, and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the use of insects as biomedical models can lead to the development of novel therapies for human diseases, while the study of insect-microbial interactions can help promote the conservation and sustainability of beneficial insects.

In conclusion, Insects and Their Beneficial Microbes is an essential resource for anyone interested in the field of insect-microbial interactions. Angela Douglas's comprehensive and accessible synthesis of the literature provides a deep understanding of these relationships and their applications, making it an invaluable tool for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Weight: 744g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691192406