Psocids as Global Pests of Stored Products (eBook)

Christos G Athanassiou (Edited By) Dr. Athanassiou is a Professor of Entomology at the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Greece. He is internationally recognized for his research on chemical and non-chemical control of stored product insects and mites, and the development of sampling methods in post-harvest entomology.Manoj K. Nayak (Edited By) Dr Manoj K. Nayak is Principal Research Scientist and Leader of the Postharvest Grain Protection Unit, Crop and Food Science, Agri-Science Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia

This edited volume encapsulates recent studies on the biology of psocids in stored products and, for the first time, brings together a perspective on the impacts and control of this least known group of insect stored product pests. Most previous literature has focused on the predominant pests, members of the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera and, indeed, many accounts either disregard psocids completely or mention them in passing as 'minor contaminants'. Over the last few decades, psocids have emerged as more significant pests of stored grain in several parts of the world, leading to need for their suppression on grounds of damage caused, contamination and allergenic status.

Much of the information presented in this book is indeed useful, and the two 'practical' chapters (6 and 7) will perhaps be among the most consulted. The major potential readership will be the 'stored products fraternity' for whom greater understanding of psocids may be beneficial. However, those same readers, after consulting this volume, may still lack the fundamental appreciation of psocid identifications and biology that would enable them to target any given situation more precisely. The book is undoubtedly expensive and - although well bound and produced and containing original information - appears to have a rather restricted market.