| Synopsis: |
Palms constitute one of the largest botanical families, and include some of the world's most important economic plants. They are also unequalled as outdoor and indoor ornamental plants, and include many species that are essential components of the ecosystems of tropical and other warm regions. This book reviews the inter-relationships between palms and insects, emphasising the similarities in different world regions. The host plants, distribution, and bionomics of representative insects are discussed according to their feeding sites on palms (foliage, flowers, fruits, and stems) and their taxonomic groups. Host and distribution records for the most extensively represented insect families on palms are tabulated. Pest management and field techniques are also covered. This book is recommended reading for tropical biologists and agriculturalists, including entomologists, horticulturists and tropical ecologists as well as palm nursery growers, managers and enthusiasts. |