Overview

Mites pose a serious problem to plants worldwide, attacking crops and spreading disease. When mites damage crops of economic importance the impacts can be felt globally. Mites are among the most diverse and successful of invertebrates, with over 45,000 described species, with many more thousands to be discovered. They are responsible for a significant portion of the losses of crops for food, fibre, industry and other purposes, and require expensive and often controversial pest control measures. Understanding these mites is vital for entomologists, pest researchers, agronomists and food producers. Knowledge of mite pests helps to inform control strategies and optimize the production of economic plants and the agrarian economy. This encyclopedia provides a thorough coverage of the mites and the problems they cause to crops, yet it is easily searchable, organised by mite species and subdivided into helpful headings. It takes a worldwide view of the issue of mites injurious to economic plants, describing mites prevalent in different regions and discussing control methods appropriate in different environments. This book provides an encyclopaedic reference to the major mites, described by family in terms of their internal and external morphology, bio-ecology and family systematics. Methods of mite collection and laboratory study is described, as well as species diagnostic characteristics, worldwide distribution, host plants, identification by the type of damage they cause and control strategies, including chemical and biological intervention and integrated pest management measures. Mites of the following families are included: (Eriophyoidea, Tarsonemidae, Tuckerellidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae, Acaridae, Penthaleidae). The Handbook of Mites of Economic Plants is an important resource for students of entomology and crop production, and as a thorough reference guide for researchers and field workers involved with mites, crop damage and food production.

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9781845939946

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A precious work from an acarological point of view. Dr. Vacante has put together the best world literature on Eriophyids of economical importance... He is to be highly praised for it. --Carlos H.W. Flechtmann

"A precious work from an acarological point of view. Dr. Vacante has put together the best world literature on Eriophyids of economical importance... He is to be highly praised for it. --Carlos H.W. Flechtmann"""

Author Information

Prof. Vincenzo Vacante has an academic degree in Biological Sciences and his last academic position was full Professor of General and Applied Entomology at the Agrarian University of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Italy. His education and professional career were developed in Italy and different foreign research centers (Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, England, etc.). His significant scientific contributions to general and applied Entomology include: (1) developing the knowledge of mites living in natural ecosystems and describing new mite species. He also helped develop the knowledge of mites associated with the major agro-ecosystems (citrus, greenhouse crops, vineyards, olive groves, fruit, trees) and the reporting of new Italian species, including natural enemies of the pests of Mediterranean crops. Additionally, he assisted in defining IPM protocols and the application of innovative methods for the study of bio-ecology and prevention of pest attacks (e.g. spatial interpolation methods, meteorological modelling (RAMS) and analysis of decision-making). He has produced 227 scientific publications, and is editor of a number of different books. His scientific activity is characterized by several international collaborations, and by the organization of national and international scientific meetings. He was also a referee and editorial board member of different scientific journals and he coordinated or participated in a number of research projects. He is also a member of a number of national and international scientific societies.

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