Ecology of invertebrate diseases

Authors: HAJEK, ANN - Cornell University; Shapiro Ilan, David

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2018
Publication Date: 1/1/2018
Citation: Hajek, A. E & Shapiro-Ilan, D. I. 2018. Ecology of Invertebrate Diseases. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. 657 p.

Interpretive Summary: Just like other humans and other animals, insects and other invertebrates are susceptible to a variety of diseases. This book is devoted to the ecology of invertebrate diseases caused by pathogens (disease-causing agents). Pathogen groups that attack invertebrates include viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes. These pathogens are generally very safe to humans and the environment. Therefore the diseases are used as natural bio-pesticides for control of various economically important pests and mites. On the other hand, invertebrate diseases also affect beneficial organisms such as bees, and shellfish. The book covers general principles, concepts and definitions, strategies and methods for research on invertebrate diseases, factors that influence pathogen ecology, and practical aspects, such as enhancing disease in pest species and controlling diseases in beneficial insects or in insect rearing. We include the extensive use of molecular methods in this field and the use of models to understand and predict disease outbreaks. Basic information on entomopathogen ecology will facilitate the advancement of disease prevention in beneficial organisms (e.g., in overcoming colony collapse disorder). The book reviews our basic knowledge on the relationships between insects, pathogens and their environments to facilitate comparisons with other host/pathogen systems that will advance our understanding of epidemiology.

Technical Abstract: This book is devoted to the ecology of invertebrate diseases caused by pathogens, a subject that has been studied extensively for both basic and applied purposes. The book covers general principles, concepts and definitions, strategies and methods for research, factors that influence epizootics, major groups of pathogens causing disease in insects, and practical aspects, such as enhancing disease in pest species and controlling diseases in beneficial insects or in insect rearing. We include the extensive use of molecular methods in this field and the use of models to understand and predict epizootics. The text allows biological control researchers and practitioners to leverage the ecological information provided to enhance sustainable pest management systems. Indeed a major barrier to wider use of insect diseases in pest suppression has been our lack of fundamental understanding of the pathogens’ biology and ecology. Furthermore, basic information on entomopathogen ecology will facilitate the advancement of disease prevention in beneficial organisms (e.g., in overcoming colony collapse disorder). Additionally, the extensive analysis of entomopathogen ecology serves as a model for studying other components of agricultural and natural ecosystems. The book reviews our basic knowledge on the relationships between insects, pathogens and their environments to facilitate comparisons with other host/pathogen systems that will advance our understanding of epidemiology and epizootiology.