Anes Encyclopedic Dictionary of General & Applied Entomology

M. S. Dhooria

Anes Encyclopedic Dictionary of General & Applied Entomology

Ane Books India

M. S. Dhooria Punjab Agricultural University India

Dedication

Rajinder (wife) Ramanjot Reena Taranjit Sweena

Preface

Insects dominate todays biosphere. Because of their number and diversity, they are by far the most important living beings on this earth. Nearly one million insect species have been described to date, and entomologists estimate that more than three million species may be found when the insect fauna in tropics is fully explored. Insects are chief competitors of man for food and fibre resources throughout the world. Annual crop losses of 10 to 15% are attributed to insects only. Besides causing huge crop losses, insects are also the principal vectors of many human, animal and plant diseases. There is a huge wealth of information available on different aspects of entomology. However, most of the terminology used in relation to insects and their management is difficult to retrieve being scattered in various disciplines based literature and Internet accessible databases. Glossaries given in entomology books covers only the basic definitions of some entomological terms but nothing in literature was available that provided comprehensive and authoritative descriptions of many terms, concepts, modern approaches and principles embodied in entomology and pest management. My aim in writing present book, Encyclopedic Dictionary of General and Applied Entomology, was to bring together at one place the terminology used in subdisciplines of entomology like insect systematics and taxonomy, biology, ecology, morphology, insect toxicology and physiology, economic entomology and pest management. Salient terminology from agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology and plant protection related to different studies on insects is also included. Selection of terms was based on entomologists requirements in different teaching, research and extension education assignments. Some terms pertaining to mites and ticks, which are close relatives of insects, have also been included for better understanding of the subject. My effort is to present the information to the reader in an easy and interesting way. Appendices given at the end of dictionary provides very useful information about meanings of different prefixes and suffixed used as combining forms in compound words, technical terms based on colours and shapes; singular and plural usage of different terms in relation to insects; and conversion factors from nonmetric to metric, and from metric to non-metric systems are included for better understanding of the technical literature. In section on Further Reading, some

Preface

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excellent books available on different aspects of entomology have been listed for knowing more details about different terms. I am sure that this encyclopedic dictionary will prove as a very useful reference source for students of agricultural colleges and universities where entomology is taught as introductory course or offered as an elective subject at both the graduate and post-graduate levels. This dictionary will also prove as very useful reference for teachers and researchers in entomology, biology, pest control advisors, pesticide industry managers, policy plannres for environmental safety, health planners and other persons having interest and concern for the insects. If this book enhances the level of awareness about insects and their management by providing a small step towards understanding of many new developments, my objective in writing this book will have been achieved. Being the first edition, there could be some errors or shortcoming for which valuable informative suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I would like to put on record my appreciation for the sincere and efficient work of Mr. Narinder Bains in neatly typing the manuscript of book. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the constant support of my wife Rajinder, for helping me in various ways in preparation of the manuscript. Without her patience and understanding this venture would not have been possible.

Prof. M S Dhooria
562-I B.R.S Nagar Ludhiana-141 004 msdhooria@yahoo.com India

Foreword

Plant Protection plays a vital role in saving the crops from the ravages of Insect pests, diseases, weeds, rodents etc., thereby sustaining the crop production. Insect pests are one of the major cause of crop destruction and also carrier of diseases. Besides, all types of insects are not pests, there are beneficial insects which act as a biocontrol agents by feeding on various life stages of insect pests. Dr. Dhooria who has long experience of working on different aspects of insect pests, has put in concerted efforts in compiling and elucidating the explanations of commonly used terms in the study of Insect biology, their behaviour and management, in a simple way. This comprehensive dictionary containing an updated glossary of technical terms would prove to be a great help to the Entomologists, Agricultural graduate & postgraduate students, Agricultural extension workers, Pest Control Specialists, in familiarizing them with these technical terms. This encyclopedia would supplement their efforts in faster and accurate identification of Insects by understanding their physiological characteristics. I convey my full appreciation to the author for bringing out such Encyclopedic Dictionary of General & Applied Entomology With lucid explanations.

(P S Chandurkar) Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India