An Illustrated Handbook: Insects Causing Damage to Plants

Insects are ubiquitous and are found all over the world, in the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere. According to evidences insects appeared on this planet Earth some 440 million years ago, long before the appearance of man in this world. Because of their dynamic adaptational traits insects have escaped extinction all these years.

Insects have the innate ability to adapt themselves to any kind of adverse environmental conditions. The morphology and anatomy of insects, as well as their mode of life are quite important factors that help in the development of traits for adaptation.

In this book the authors have given a detailed account of the general aspects of insects, as well as morphology and anatomy of insects. Studies on such aspects about insects are ultimately aimed at devising and adopting physical, mechanical, chemical or biological control measures to combat the insects, which have turned into pests and pose a serious problem to mankind.

The text is substantiated with many fine, hand-drawn figures that will help better understanding of the book and make the reading more interesting.

H. Lewin Devasahayam after completion of his post graduate degree course from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi joined the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in 1960 and served the University for 30 years in various capacities and retired as Associate Professor of Plant Pathology in 1990. He has published more than 50 research articles in various leading Indian and Foreign journals. He is the author of the books entitled Practical manual of Entomology, & Elements of Entomology, & Illustrated Plant Pathology and co-author of the books Crop diseases and Diseases of spice crops, and all the above books have been published by NIPA, New Delhi. He is also the co-author of the book entitled Plant Ecology.

L. Darwin Christdhas Henry obtained his B.Sc.Degree in Botany from the Madras University Chennai. He continued his under graduate and post graduate degree course in Agriculture at Allahabad Agricultural Institute. He joined the Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University He has completed his doctorate degree, specializing in the field of edible mushrooms. He has published a number of research articles in National and International Journals. He has authored the books entitled Crop Diseases; Identification, Treatment and Management and Diseases of spice crops, both published by NIPA, New Delhi and also the book entitled ‘Plant Ecology'. He is also the co-author of the book entitled Illustrated Plant Pathology published by NIPA, New Delhi. Apart from his wide exposure to different agricultural crops, he has specialized in the cultivation of different species of edible mushrooms.