Parasitoid Wasps of South East Asia

Parasitoid wasps are cosmopolitan, diverse, and play crucial roles in controlling insect pest populations. This book provides an overview of over 30 families in South East Asia, focusing on commonly encountered and reared species. It covers morphology, biology, ecology, behavior, taxonomy, and molecular approaches. It is valuable for professionals, academics, students, and amateur entomologists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: CABI Publishing

Parasitoid wasps are a cosmopolitan and diverse group, with an estimated one million or more species worldwide, primarily inhabiting the moist tropics. Despite their ecological significance, their roles in controlling insect pest populations are perhaps most evident. These wasps play a vital role in regulating insect populations within natural ecosystems, making them crucial components of terrestrial food webs. However, due to the infancy of taxonomy in many parts of the world, our knowledge of their biology remains limited.

In this book, we offer an overview of more than 30 families of parasitoid wasps found in the 11 countries of South East Asia. We focus on the most commonly encountered and reared species, as well as those utilized in biological control programs. Detailed outlines of each family's morphology, biology, ecology, and behavior are provided, along with descriptions of important subfamilies. We also summarize the current state of taxonomy in the region.

Additional chapters cover basic biology, behavior, morphological terminology, phylogeny, and methods of specimen collecting, preparation, and rearing, with a particular emphasis on the tropics. Modern molecular approaches to expediting the taxonomic description of hyperdiverse taxa are explored in depth. Color photographs accompany all illustrations in the book.

This book is intended for professional entomologists, academics, entomology students, and the growing community of amateur entomologists and insect photographers. It provides valuable insights into the world of parasitoid wasps and their ecological importance, fostering a deeper understanding of these fascinating insects.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800620599