ABSTRACT

CHOICE Highly Recommended title, 2022!

Forest insects play important roles ecologically and economically. They pollinate plants, decompose dead plant and animal tissue, provide food for vertebrates, regulate pest organisms and shape entire landscapes. Some are considered pests, while others provide usable products. Introduced species may become invasive, while the survival of others is threatened.

Forest Insects in Europe: Diversity, Functions and Importance has been written not only with professional entomologists in mind, but also for nature lovers generally. The descriptions of the various roles insects play in forest ecosystems are intended to be easily comprehensible, but still scientific. The book is richly illustrated with attractive photos and contains 580 fascinating colour images of more than 300 different insect and spider species. The German edition was awarded the Prix Moulines by the Swiss Entomological Society in 2019.

chapter 1|15 pages

Diversity and functions of insects

part |238 pages

Ecological functions

chapter 2|20 pages

Insects and plant reproduction

chapter 3|14 pages

Turnover of green plant biomass

chapter 4|38 pages

Decomposition of wood

chapter 5|16 pages

Exploitation of animal waste

chapter 6|10 pages

Maintaining soil fertility

chapter 7|18 pages

Food for other organisms

chapter 8|48 pages

Natural enemies

chapter 9|20 pages

Antagonists of bark beetles

chapter 10|22 pages

Ecological significance of red wood ants

chapter 11|8 pages

Transport of organisms

chapter 12|4 pages

Maintaining stand vitality

chapter 13|19 pages

Shaping of ecosystems

part |73 pages

Economic significance

chapter 14|26 pages

Economic damage

chapter 15|12 pages

Insects and human health

chapter 16|12 pages

Usable insect products

chapter 17|8 pages

Introduced species

chapter 18|14 pages

Endangered forest insects