Overview

This book explores mate-finding and courtship behaviour in the insect world, in all its subtlety and diversity. Insects engage in courtship as much, or as little, as any other animal; they have songs and dances, and all manner of instruments and ornaments to attract and court the opposite sex. Insects have evolved complex chemical and acoustic communication systems, sending fragrant messages, visual signals and subtle vibrations to attract and persuade. Insects also have many different ways and means of choosing or rejecting mating partners. This beautifully illustrated book shows the incredible variety of courtship behaviours and celebrates the wonderful natural history of a wide range of insects. Varieties of courtship can occur before, during and even after copulation, and numerous examples of the different mating strategies used are presented. As well as being fascinating and entertaining, studying courtship is also useful. For example, a knowledge of the courtship and mating behaviour of important pests helps researchers understand the dynamics of mate choice and sexual selection. Knowing which behaviours are directly related with mating success can be used to improve behaviour-based control strategies and improve sterile insect techniques. Knowledge of sex pheromones, and mating behaviour, can be combined to manage insect pests by mass or mating disruption. By studying model species - such as the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster - researchers have discovered how genes control and influence courtship behaviour, via proteins, biochemical pathways and neural circuits. This book integrates these diverse fields into a framework constructed around courtship and mate-finding, bringing together studies from the laboratory and the field. This landmark volume will be of interest to students of biology, entomologists, naturalists and anyone with a desire to know more about the love lives of the small creatures with which we share the planet.

Full Product Details

Author:   Raymond J C Cannon (Formerly of the Food and Environment Research Agency, UK)
Publisher:   CABI Publishing
Imprint:   CABI Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 18.90cm , Height: 3.80cm , Length: 24.60cm
Weight:   1.770kg
ISBN:  

9781789248609

ISBN 10:   1789248604
Pages:   656
Publication Date:   03 August 2023
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Drosophila courtship behaviour Chapter 3: Mate finding strategies I. Waiting and seeking Chapter 4: Mate finding strategies II. Hill-topping, guarding, and excavating Chapter 5: Mate calling (long range) Chapter 6: Swarming and lekking Chapter 7: Cues, signals, and advertising Chapter 8: Sex roles, ornamentation, and role reversals Chapter 9: Courtship I. Precopulatory courtship behaviour Chapter 10: Courtship II. Copulatory and post-copulatory courtship behaviour Chapter 11: Attracting and stimulating the other sex (near range courtship) I. Songs and instruments Chapter 12: Attracting and stimulating the other sex (near range courtship) II. Dances and displays Chapter 13: Attracting and stimulating the other sex (near range courtship) II. Rhythmic movements Chapter 14: Chemical communication I. Sex pheromones for Long-range attraction in insects Chapter 15: Volatile sex pheromones in non-lepidopteran insects Chapter 16: Short-range and contact pheromones Chapter 17: Choosing, rejecting and mate choice Chapter 18: Grasping, clasping, and forcing: pre-mating struggles and sexual conflicts Chapter 19: Courtship feeding and nuptial gifts Chapter 20: Discussion and conclusions Chapter 21: Epilogue

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Author Information

Prior to his retirement in 2012, Ray Cannon was Principal Scientific Officer at the Food & Environment Research Agency (Fera) in York, UK, providing advice and guidance on alien, invasive pests, to the UK government. He also carried out research on plant health issues, pest control, invasive pests, climate change, and the use of microbial insecticides. His education was at Imperial College (BSc) and Cranfield University (PhD). Ray's interests are writing, blogging, painting and photography.

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