In Considerable Variety Introducing the Diversity of Australias Insects [Paperback]

The book introduces basic entomology, emphasising perspectives on insect diversity important in conservation assessment and setting priorities for management, as a foundation for managers and others without entomological training or background. It bridges the gap between photographic essays on insect identification and more technical texts, to illustrate and discuss many aspects of taxonomic, ecological and evolutionary diversity in the Australian insect fauna, and its impacts in human life, through outlines of many aspects of insect natural history.

Using Australian examples to discuss taxonomic and ecological diversity, this non-technical book introduces basic entomology. It emphasizes perspectives on insect diversity important in conservation assessment and setting priorities for management.

Preface.- Chapter 1. The basic insect pattern: theme and variations.- Introduction: insects and their close relatives.- The insect body plan.- Inside insects.- Further reading.- Chapter 2. Fossils and major insect adaptations.- Introduction: the process of insect evolution.- Wings and flight.- Wings and ecology.- Insect diversification.- Further reading.- Chapter 3. Insect life histories.- Introduction:? modes of development.- Diversification within metamorphosis.- Seasonal development.- Further reading.- Chapter 4. Origins, distributions and diversity.- Introduction: Australia as an environment for insects.- Insect species?.- Further reading.- Chapter 5. Environments and habitats for insects in Australia.- Introduction: places to live.- Resources for insects.- Further reading.- Chapter 6. Foods and feeding biology.- Introduction: the variety of food and feeding habits.- Exploitation or partnerships?.- Searching for food.- Insect herbivores.- Insect carnivores.- Insect parasitoids.- Insect parasites.- Insect decomposerlº