Chrysomelidae, along with Curculionidae and Bruchidae, are the most important phytophagous Coleoptera. At least 37,000 species of leaf beetles belonging to 19 subfamilies have now been described, and more probably remain to be discovered, especially in the tropics. Many species are familiar agricultural pests. The Colorado potato beetle, the cereal beetle, flea beetle and the corn root worms are but a few of the well known pests. Because of the economic importance and biological diversity, chrysomelids are an important taxonomic group for scientific inquiry. This book is divided into eight parts, entitled palaeontology, larvae and larval biology, trophic selection, genetics and evolution defence mechanisms, anatomy and reproduction, pathogens and natural enemies, and general studies in biology. The biologies of agricultural and forestry pests, Leptinotarsa, Plagiodera, Entomoscelis, Paropsis, Mecistomela and Aspidomorpha are dealt with in detail. Others, such as Timarcha and those in the poorly known Megalopodinae, are covered in Part VIII. In this volume the American, European, Asian and Australian fauna occupy the greatest part. This volume, together with Biology of Chrysomelidae (1988), provides a comprehensive coverage and helps to complete the picture of chrysomelid biology.

As editor of this volume I am not going to emphasize the economic im portance of the Bruchids of pulses, nor how necessary it is to know the conditions of infestation of crops in order to achieve an efficient protection; both points are testified by F.A.O.'s sponsorship, as well as of the International Organization for Biological Control. On the other hand I would like to stress the scientific interest of the study of 'domestic' bruchids. It raises questions which require that present basic entomological knowledge be extended. I am not going to review all questions raised but I will emphasize those I am most aware of. Some bruchid species have been able to colonize habitats differing totally; some differing in their latitude, and thus their basic periodicities; others differing in their degree of complexity (stocks of seeds): What are the respective roles played by polymorphism and plasticity in that exceptional capacity? What differences are there between the populations living on wild plants in dispersal areas and those living in stocks? What are the alterations brought about by the drastic selection pressures in populations having later colonized habitats ecologically similar to the original habitats? What factors determine the degree of specificity of trophic relationships, and the possibilities of extension of the niche? What influences are exerted by the other elements of the original bio cenoses upon the behavioural evolution of these species? Such are a few fundamental problems that can be tackled directly through

In 1980, the International Symposium on the Ecology of Bruchids Attacking Legumes (Pulses), organized by Dr. Labeyrie, was held at Tours, France. Since then, there has been tremendous progress in the area of Bruchid and Legume research. At the same time, as we face the problems of world-wide population explosion and food shortage, the importance of legumes as the world's major protein source is rapidly increasing, especial ly in tropical regions. Thus, it seemed appropriate to hold the Second Symposium in order to review the recent progress in the control of Bruchids and in the biology and ecology of Bruchids and legumes. This is an important part of the search for ways to integrate these fields with a common perspective. The Second International Symposium on Bruchids and Legumes (ISBL-II) was held in September 6-9, 1989 at Okayama, Japan under the joint auspices of the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology and of the Foundation for Advancement of International Science. Significant contributions have originated in Japan on the study of Bruchid and legumes. Most notably, the study on population ecology by Professor S.