Beneficial Insects

CRC Press

Beneficial InsectsAuthor(s): David V. Alford\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Inc, United States\nImprint: CRC Press Inc\nISBN-13: 9781482262605, 978-1482262605\nSynopsis\nHighly Recommended in CHOICE, Jan 2020, Vol 57, 5\n\nInsects are key components of life on our planet, and their presence is essential for maintaining balanced terrestrial ecosystems. Without insects humans would struggle to survive, and on a world scale food production would be severely compromised. Many plants and animals depend directly or indirectly on insects for their very survival, and this is particularly so in the case of insectivorous birds and other such creatures. The beneficial role of insects is often overlooked or misunderstood, and in farming circles their very presence on crops is often seen to be unwelcome. In reality, however, many insects are genuinely beneficial, as in the case of parasitic and predacious species. The use of chemical pesticides to control crop pests is becomin.