The Ichneumonoidea is a vast and important superfamily of parasitic wasps, with some 60,000 described species and estimated numbers far higher, especially for small-bodied tropical taxa. The superfamily comprises two cosmopolitan families - Braconidae and Ichneumonidae - that have largely attracted separate groups of researchers, and this, to a considerable extent, has meant that understanding of their adaptive features has often been considered in isolation. This book considers both families, highlighting similarities and differences in their adaptations. The classification of the whole of the Ichneumonoidea, along with most other insect orders, has been plagued by typology whereby undue importance has been attributed to particular characters in defining groups. Typology is a common disease of traditional taxonomy such that, until recently, quite a lot of taxa have been associated with the wrong higher clades. The sheer size of the group, and until the last 30 or so years, lack of accessible identification materials, has been a further impediment to research on all but a handful of ‘lab rat’ species usually cultured initially because of their potential in biological control. New evidence, largely in the form of molecular data, have shown that many morphological, behavioural, physiological and anatomical characters associated with basic life history features, specifically whether wasps are ecto- or endoparasitic, or idiobiont or koinobiont, can be grossly misleading in terms of the phylogeny they suggest. This book shows how, with better supported phylogenetic hypotheses entomologists can understand far more about the ways natural selection is acting upon them. This new book also focuses on this superfamily with which the author has great familiarity and provides a detailed coverage of each subfamily, emphasising anatomy, taxonomy and systematics, biology, as well as pointing out the importance and research potential of each group. Fossil taxa are included and it also has sections on biogeography, global species richness, culturing and rearing and preparing specimens for taxonomic study. The book highlights areas where research might be particularly rewarding and suggests systems/groups that need investigation. The author provides a large compendium of references to original research on each group. This book is an essential workmate for all postgraduates and researchers working on ichneumonoid or other parasitic wasps worldwide. It will stand as a reference book for a good number of years, and while rapid advances in various fields such as genomics and host physiological interactions will lead to new information, as an overall synthesis of the current state it will stay relevant for a long time.

The importance of insects for human welfare is unquestionable. This laboratory manual summarizes a number of key methods used by insect immunologists around the world. It should be helpful for those already working in this field & especially for scientists with general interest in this research topic as a methodical guide for the first steps. The experiments are described in detail, with step-by-step directions. Basic procedure for activation, detection, quantification & characterization of cellular & humoral defense reactions are given, along with protocols for more detailed investigations of cell differentiation & isolation of insect immune factors. Population genetic aspect, viral pathology & comparative studies revealing similarities with the vertebrate immune system are also included. The result described in the chapters show remarkable progress in our understanding of insect immunology. Simultaneously, the large number of still-unanswered questions make us realize that we have a lot left to learn about these fascinating animals. From future investigation we can expect a better understanding of the immune system's evolution, the discovery of new antimicrobial & regulatory insect molecules potentially useful in the therapy of human disease & new strategies for insect control.

V.1 - Parasites; Patterns of development in insect parasites; Games parasites play: the dynamic roles of proteins and peptides in the relationship between parasite and host; Hormonal interactions between insect endoparasites and their host insects; Reproductive disturbances induced by parasites and pathogens of insects; Behavioral effects of parasites and pathogens in insect hosts; Redirection of host metabolism and effects on parasite nutrition; Teratocytes: developmental and biochemical characteristics; The polydnavirus life cycle; Polydnavirus genome organization; Venoms of parasitic hymenoptera as investigatory tool; Biochemical and molecular basis of mosquito susceptibility to Plasmodium and filarioid nematodes; Celular defense responses of insects: unresolved problems; The response to foreign tissue transplants in insects; Regulation of insect hemolymph phenoloxidases. v.2 - Pathogens; Tripartite interactions between symbiotically associated entomopathogenic bacteria, nematodes, and their insect hosts; The insect immune proteins and the regulation of their genes; Interaction of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins with the insect midgut epithelium; Viral pathobiology in relation to insect control; Baculoviruses, vertebrate viruses, and cytoskeletons; Baculovirus enhancing proteins as determinants of viral pathogenesis; Invertebrate transposable elements in the baculovirus genome: characterization and significance; Genetic manipulation of the baculovirus genome for insect pest control; Insect resistance to viruses; Biology and mechanisms of insect-cuticle invasion by deuteromycete fungal pathogens; Host-parasitoid-pathogen interactions.