"The Black Files (Simuliidae) of North America" is an authoritative illustrated reference--with importance for ecology, genetics, and conservation--of the black flies in North America including 43 species identified here for the first time.

The majority of blackflies (family Simuliidae) are blood- suckers of man and domestic animals. Throughout the vast territory of the Soviet Union, in the steppes, forest steppes, and especially the taiga and tundra, blackflies occupy a prominent place among the blood-sucking Diptera. It is now clear, that not only in the tropics but throughout the Soviet Union, blackflies are transmitters of several diseases of domestic animals, mainly onchocerciasis of cattle and reindeer and many dangerous diseases of domestic fowl. Hence blackflies are of medico-veterinary and sanitary-epidemiological importance. Unlike other blood-sucking insects such as the malarial mosquito, blackflies have hitherto been relatively poorly studies. The purposes of the present volume is to provide a brief description of species and new identification keys. It primarily incorporates numerous additions to the first edition of "Fauna of the USSR," This second edition also includes 18 species from countries adjoining the Palearctic region, which have not been recorded to-date in the Soviet Union, and 30 species described by Enderlein from Europe (whose description has been improved upon) which may be discovered later in the Soviet Union. The fauna of the USSR currently includes about 300 species of blackflies.

Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects Volume Two of Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society presents an entirely new, companion volume of a comprehensive resource for the most current research on the influence insects have on humankind and on our endangered environment. With contributions from leading researchers and scholars on the topic, the text explores relevant topics including biodiversity in different habitats and regions, taxonomic groups, and perspectives. Volume Two offers coverage of insect biodiversity in regional settings, such as the Arctic and Asia, and in particular habitats including crops, caves, and islands. The authors also include information on historical, cultural, technical, and climatic perspectives of insect biodiversity. This book explores the wide variety of insect species and their evolutionary relationships. Case studies offer assessments on how insect biodiversity can help meet the needs of a rapidly expanding human population, and examine the consequences that an increased loss of insect species will have on the world. This important text: Offers the most up-to-date information on the important topic of insect biodiversity Explores vital topics such as the impact on insect biodiversity through habitat loss and degradation and climate change With its companion Volume I, presents current information on the biodiversity of all insect orders Contains reviews of insect biodiversity in culture and art, in the fossil record, and in agricultural systems Includes scientific approaches and methods for the study of insect biodiversity The book offers scientists, academics, professionals, and students a guide for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of insects, highlighting the need to sustainably manage ecosystems in an ever-changing global environment.

Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Second Edition, has been fully updated and revised to provide the latest information on developments in entomology relating to public health and veterinary importance. Each chapter is structured with the student in mind, organized by the major headings of Taxonomy, Morphology, Life History, Behavior and Ecology, Public Health and Veterinary Importance, and Prevention and Control. This second edition includes separate chapters devoted to each of the taxonomic groups of insects and arachnids of medical or veterinary concern, including spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. Internationally recognized editors Mullen and Durden include extensive coverage of both medical and veterinary entomological importance. This book is designed for teaching and research faculty in medical and veterinary schools that provide a course in vector borne diseases and medical entomology; parasitologists, entomologists, and government scientists responsible for oversight and monitoring of insect vector borne diseases; and medical and veterinary school libraries and libraries at institutions with strong programs in entomology. Follows in the tradition of Herm's Medical and Veterinary Entomology The latest information on developments in entomology relating to public health and veterinary importance Two separate indexes for enhanced searchability: Taxonomic and Subject New to this edition: Three new chapters Morphological Adaptations of Parasitic Arthropods Forensic Entomology Molecular Tools in Medical and Veterinary Entomology 1700 word glossary Appendix of Arthropod-Related Viruses of Medical-Veterinary Importance Numerous new full-color images, illustrations and maps throughout

Surprising though it seems, the world faces almost as great a threat today from arthropod-borne diseases as it did in the heady days of the 1950s when global eradication of such diseases by eliminating their vectors with synthetic insecticides, particularly DDT, seemed a real possibility. Malaria, for example, still causes tremendous morbidity and mortality throughout the world, especially in Africa. Knowledge of the biology of insect and arachnid disease vectors is arguably more important now than it has ever been. Biological research directed at the development of better methods of control becomes even more important in the light of the partial failure of many control schemes that are based on insecticide- although not all is gloom, since basic biological studies have contributed enormously to the outstanding success of international control programmes such as the vast Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa. It is a sine qua non for proper understanding of the epidemiology and successful vector control of any human disease transmitted by an arthropod that all concerned with the problem - medical entomologist, parasitologist, field technician - have a good basic understanding of the arthropod's biology. Knowledge will be needed not only of its direct relationship to any parasite or pathogen that it transmits but also of its structure, its life history and its behaviour - in short, its natural history. Above all, it will be necessary to be sure that it is correctly identified.

Black flies (simuliids) are among the most severe pests affecting humans and animals worldwide. Responsible for the transmission of onchocerciasis among humans and bovine onchocerciasis and avian malaria among wildlife and agricultural animals, black flies' competency as disease vectors is rivaled only by that of mosquitos and ticks. Because of their economic and medical importance, black flies have been the subject of intense research, tremendous progress having been achieved in many areas, including taxonomy, ecology, cytogenetics, biochemistry, and control. This book, evolving from an international conference of the world's foremost authorities, integrates for the first time the wide range of multidisciplinary research findings on black flies. The thirty-two chapters present a comprehensive discussion of systematics, biochemistry, sensory physiology, behavior and ecology of immatures and adults, population monitoring and management, current methods of control, and disease epidemiology. The annotated checklist identifies and provides geographical distribution of all formally described black flies in the world and includes almost 2,000 specific/subspecific and 121 generic/subgeneric names. The book provides a cohesive understanding of black flies and will be invaluable to entomologists, epidemiologists, biologists, veterinarians, parasitologists, and medical researchers concerned with developing an economically conservative, environmentally sound management system against black flies and simuliid-borne diseases worldwide.

The study of blackflies has come of age--the blackfly is now recognized as a carrier of major endemic diseases; its larval stages are seen to play a major role in the ecology of rivers and streams; and blackfly chromosomes have proved unusually amenable material for cytogenetical studies. The expanded interest in the blackfly has greatly increased the scientific literature about them--literature that is extremely technical, highly specialized, and often of little help to non-specialists. This work bridges the gap between specialists and those whose work brings them in contact with the blackfly, but who need information at a more general level. It synthesizes present knowledge about the natural history of the fly family Simuliidae, covering taxonomic background, elements of larval structure and life in water, adult fly structure, migration, mating, biting and bloodsucking, human diseases, and natural enemies of larval and adult flies. Over 1200 bibliographic citations, a glossary of technical terms, and numerous figures, tables and illustrations are included.