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Aphids, their Biology, natural enemies and control
146
BOOK REVIEWS
APHIDS
Aphids, their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control. A.K. Minks and P. Harrewijn (Editors). World Crop Pests, Vol. 2B, W. Helle (Editor-in Chief), Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1988, xix + 364 pp., hardcover, US$168.50, Dfl. 320.00, ISBN: 0-444-42798-8. This is the second volume, in a series of three, intended to cover all aspects of the study of aphids. The first volume consisted of seven chapters on subjects ranging from morphology and biology to evolution, and contained contributions by 19 authors. The present volume contains only two chapters on "Techniques" and "Natural Enemies", each with numerous subheadings and written by 38 contributors, all of whom are acknowledged experts in their respective fields. At first sight one would imagine that three large volumes were adequate for a detailed treatment of all facets of aphid study. When subdivided into topics, however, it becomes evident that there is so much interest in aphids worldwide, and they have been the subject of so much detailed research, that their study constitutes a science in itself and, as such, would require a small library to cover the subject in any detail. In consequence, it has not been possible, in this volume, to cover any topic adequately. As a case in point, the first section (and one of the largest), on as wide a subject as "Sampling Techniques", occupies only ten pages of print, excluding figures and references. The average length of contributions is seven pages and some scarcely extend to two pages. The express purpose of these volumes is to present a "comprehensive review" of our knowledge of aphids. In the preface, the editors point out that several books have appeared in recent years on specialized aspects of aphidology. The book particularly relevant to this second volume is Aphid Technology, edited by H.F. van Emden (1972). Since the editors express the "hope that the present book can fill the gap in the available information on aphids", there is a tendency, in some sections, to avoid full coverage when more detailed treatment is available elsewhere. Thus, if anyone buys this expensive series hoping it will serve as a complete text book or manual for aphid research, they are likely to be disappointed and discover they still need to look elsewhere for information and guidance. However, as a "comprehensive review" of the literature, the volume is first class, giving excellent and thorough accounts, within the limits of available space, and, above all, providing full lists of references: two sections in particular on "Applications of Artificial Feeding Techniques for Aphids" and "Carabidae and other Invertebrates" being supplied with about 240 and 180 references respectively. Unlike the previous volume, the topics here are well defined and there is no apparent duplication of information.
BOOK REVIEWS
147
The first chapter (or Chapter 8 of the series) is on "Techniques" and commences with a well illustrated section on "Sampling Techniques" which suffers, like so many other sections, from inadequate space for sufficient detail on such a broad subject. Similarly with "Population Development Models" the subject is clearly and concisely covered but could occupy a small book. The following two sections on "Mounting Techniques, Aphid Collections" and "Light Microscopy", though brief, are good practical accounts of laboratory procedures, whereas the two sections on transmission and scanning electron microscopy revert to the review approach, but similarly appear too short for such a rapidly expanding subject. Sections on "Rearing and Handling Aphids" and "Virus Transmission Studies" give general accounts of these subjects but invite the reader to refer to current books for fuller information. There follow sections on more specialized and technical subjects such as the "Use of Isotopes", "Electrical Recording of Stylet Penetration Activities", "Electrophysiological Techniques" and "Electrophoretic Techniques for the Genetic Study of Aphids", which are given rather more adequate treatment and present accounts of topics which are unlikely to have been expounded in such a clear and interesting manner elsewhere. This is particularly true of the accounts of "Aphid Energy Budget" and "Aphid Bioassay Techniques", although the latter could have benefited from a more practical approach. Finally, in this chapter, an excellent review is given of artificial feeding techniques and their application in other spheres of aphid study. The chapter on "Natural Enemies" contains four sections on parasites, eight on predators and one on pathogens. The section on "Aphidiidae" is rather disjointed, consisting of short paragraphs with little interconnection, while that on "Aphelinidae" is too short for such an important group. In contrast, the account of"Hyperparasites" is full and well written, as is the useful section on "Sampling and Rearing of Aphid Parasites". The group of contributions on "Predators" begins with a general account including considerations of population dynamics such as functional and numerical responses. This is followed by well-balanced and interesting sections on "Coccinellidae .... Neuroptera" and "Syrphidae", and even on the "Cecidomyiidae" and "Anthocoridae" which are often overlooked as aphid predators. So too are the "Carabidae and other Invertebrates" including mites, spiders, earwigs, ants, wasps and other beetles and bugs. The contribution on "Sampling, Rearing and Handling of Aphid Predators" is rather brief, as is that on "Aphid Pathogens", dealing only with pathogenic fungi. The volume ends with an adequate account of "Resistance of Natural Enemies to Insecticides". I would reiterate, as for the previous volume, that the format is unnecessarily large, lavish and cumbersome. If it must be that large, better use could be made of all the blank paper, giving authors the ability to expand on their subjects and the purchaser better value for his money. Nevertheless, these volumes
148
BOOKREVIEWS
contain a wealth of information on aphids, are very capably written and presented, and are an essential part of any entomological library. I.J. WYATT Ridge Cottage Mill Lane Worthing West Sussex BN13 3DE GreatBritain
POISONOUS PLANTS The Ecology and Economic Impact of Poisonous Plants on Livestock Production, by L.F. James, M.H. Ralphs and D.B. Nielsen (Editors). Westiew Press, Boulder, 1988, xi+428 pp., 19 figs., price US$38.50, ISBN: 0-8133-7453-7. Livestock poisoning by plants has been a problem to livestock producers since the first grazing and probably predates recorded time. In modern times, man still has problems. Forty eight contributors have contributed to this publication of the proceedings of a symposium. A large range of plants is surveyed and their ecological status and economic considerations examined (poisonous plants may have an impact on land values). This last point is developed in specific chapters of the book. Poisonous plants are represented in a host of communities on rangelands and are common components of most vegetation. Strangely, there is no species index at the end of the book and it is the duty of the reviewer to give some species information to the potential reader. The following species or group of species are studied in detail, out of a list of 33 plants indicated to be a hazard from experience and contact with range managers: (1) Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) and G. microcephala (threadleaf snakeweed), perennials which cause substantial losses; forage production can be increased by controlling these species; (2) Pinus ponderosa, its needles are the cause of abortion in cattle, but the paucity of data makes it difficult to quantify the losses; (3) Delphiunium spp., including larkspurs which, as early as 1913, caused more deaths than any other plants; (4) Hymenoxis odorata (bitterweed), recognized as poisonous about 60 years ago, an annual plant of great impact in the Texas Edwards Plateau, with as much as 97% reduction of the returns; (5) Astragalus and related genera, like Oxytropis (locoweeds); scenarios are described for the western U.S. rangelands, with examples of dramatic losses;
BOOK REVIEWS
APHIDS
Aphids, their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control. A.K. Minks and P. Harrewijn (Editors). World Crop Pests, Vol. 2B, W. Helle (Editor-in Chief), Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1988, xix + 364 pp., hardcover, US$168.50, Dfl. 320.00, ISBN: 0-444-42798-8. This is the second volume, in a series of three, intended to cover all aspects of the study of aphids. The first volume consisted of seven chapters on subjects ranging from morphology and biology to evolution, and contained contributions by 19 authors. The present volume contains only two chapters on "Techniques" and "Natural Enemies", each with numerous subheadings and written by 38 contributors, all of whom are acknowledged experts in their respective fields. At first sight one would imagine that three large volumes were adequate for a detailed treatment of all facets of aphid study. When subdivided into topics, however, it becomes evident that there is so much interest in aphids worldwide, and they have been the subject of so much detailed research, that their study constitutes a science in itself and, as such, would require a small library to cover the subject in any detail. In consequence, it has not been possible, in this volume, to cover any topic adequately. As a case in point, the first section (and one of the largest), on as wide a subject as "Sampling Techniques", occupies only ten pages of print, excluding figures and references. The average length of contributions is seven pages and some scarcely extend to two pages. The express purpose of these volumes is to present a "comprehensive review" of our knowledge of aphids. In the preface, the editors point out that several books have appeared in recent years on specialized aspects of aphidology. The book particularly relevant to this second volume is Aphid Technology, edited by H.F. van Emden (1972). Since the editors express the "hope that the present book can fill the gap in the available information on aphids", there is a tendency, in some sections, to avoid full coverage when more detailed treatment is available elsewhere. Thus, if anyone buys this expensive series hoping it will serve as a complete text book or manual for aphid research, they are likely to be disappointed and discover they still need to look elsewhere for information and guidance. However, as a "comprehensive review" of the literature, the volume is first class, giving excellent and thorough accounts, within the limits of available space, and, above all, providing full lists of references: two sections in particular on "Applications of Artificial Feeding Techniques for Aphids" and "Carabidae and other Invertebrates" being supplied with about 240 and 180 references respectively. Unlike the previous volume, the topics here are well defined and there is no apparent duplication of information.
BOOK REVIEWS
147
The first chapter (or Chapter 8 of the series) is on "Techniques" and commences with a well illustrated section on "Sampling Techniques" which suffers, like so many other sections, from inadequate space for sufficient detail on such a broad subject. Similarly with "Population Development Models" the subject is clearly and concisely covered but could occupy a small book. The following two sections on "Mounting Techniques, Aphid Collections" and "Light Microscopy", though brief, are good practical accounts of laboratory procedures, whereas the two sections on transmission and scanning electron microscopy revert to the review approach, but similarly appear too short for such a rapidly expanding subject. Sections on "Rearing and Handling Aphids" and "Virus Transmission Studies" give general accounts of these subjects but invite the reader to refer to current books for fuller information. There follow sections on more specialized and technical subjects such as the "Use of Isotopes", "Electrical Recording of Stylet Penetration Activities", "Electrophysiological Techniques" and "Electrophoretic Techniques for the Genetic Study of Aphids", which are given rather more adequate treatment and present accounts of topics which are unlikely to have been expounded in such a clear and interesting manner elsewhere. This is particularly true of the accounts of "Aphid Energy Budget" and "Aphid Bioassay Techniques", although the latter could have benefited from a more practical approach. Finally, in this chapter, an excellent review is given of artificial feeding techniques and their application in other spheres of aphid study. The chapter on "Natural Enemies" contains four sections on parasites, eight on predators and one on pathogens. The section on "Aphidiidae" is rather disjointed, consisting of short paragraphs with little interconnection, while that on "Aphelinidae" is too short for such an important group. In contrast, the account of"Hyperparasites" is full and well written, as is the useful section on "Sampling and Rearing of Aphid Parasites". The group of contributions on "Predators" begins with a general account including considerations of population dynamics such as functional and numerical responses. This is followed by well-balanced and interesting sections on "Coccinellidae .... Neuroptera" and "Syrphidae", and even on the "Cecidomyiidae" and "Anthocoridae" which are often overlooked as aphid predators. So too are the "Carabidae and other Invertebrates" including mites, spiders, earwigs, ants, wasps and other beetles and bugs. The contribution on "Sampling, Rearing and Handling of Aphid Predators" is rather brief, as is that on "Aphid Pathogens", dealing only with pathogenic fungi. The volume ends with an adequate account of "Resistance of Natural Enemies to Insecticides". I would reiterate, as for the previous volume, that the format is unnecessarily large, lavish and cumbersome. If it must be that large, better use could be made of all the blank paper, giving authors the ability to expand on their subjects and the purchaser better value for his money. Nevertheless, these volumes
148
BOOKREVIEWS
contain a wealth of information on aphids, are very capably written and presented, and are an essential part of any entomological library. I.J. WYATT Ridge Cottage Mill Lane Worthing West Sussex BN13 3DE GreatBritain
POISONOUS PLANTS The Ecology and Economic Impact of Poisonous Plants on Livestock Production, by L.F. James, M.H. Ralphs and D.B. Nielsen (Editors). Westiew Press, Boulder, 1988, xi+428 pp., 19 figs., price US$38.50, ISBN: 0-8133-7453-7. Livestock poisoning by plants has been a problem to livestock producers since the first grazing and probably predates recorded time. In modern times, man still has problems. Forty eight contributors have contributed to this publication of the proceedings of a symposium. A large range of plants is surveyed and their ecological status and economic considerations examined (poisonous plants may have an impact on land values). This last point is developed in specific chapters of the book. Poisonous plants are represented in a host of communities on rangelands and are common components of most vegetation. Strangely, there is no species index at the end of the book and it is the duty of the reviewer to give some species information to the potential reader. The following species or group of species are studied in detail, out of a list of 33 plants indicated to be a hazard from experience and contact with range managers: (1) Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) and G. microcephala (threadleaf snakeweed), perennials which cause substantial losses; forage production can be increased by controlling these species; (2) Pinus ponderosa, its needles are the cause of abortion in cattle, but the paucity of data makes it difficult to quantify the losses; (3) Delphiunium spp., including larkspurs which, as early as 1913, caused more deaths than any other plants; (4) Hymenoxis odorata (bitterweed), recognized as poisonous about 60 years ago, an annual plant of great impact in the Texas Edwards Plateau, with as much as 97% reduction of the returns; (5) Astragalus and related genera, like Oxytropis (locoweeds); scenarios are described for the western U.S. rangelands, with examples of dramatic losses;