Insect Learning

Insect Learning is a comprehensive review of a new field. Until recently, insects were viewed as rigidly programmed automatons; now, however, it is recognized that they can actually learn and that their behavior is plastic. This fundamental change in viewpoint is having a snowball effect, causing a re-examination of all aspects of the relationship between insects and their environment. This change in perspective is occurring at the time of heightened interest in brain function in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Insects potentially play a major role in this expanding area. Because of their experimental tractability and genetic diversity, they provide unique opportunities for testing hypotheses on the ecology and evolution of learning. As organisms of economic importance, they are perennial objects of research by both basic and applied scientists. "Insect Learning" covers both social and non-social insects from multiple perspectives. The book covers mechanisms; syntheses of work on physiology, behaviour, and ecology; the micro- and macroevolution. The concluding section discusses future directions for research, including applications to pest management. This book should be of interest to professionals in the fields of behaviour, entomology, evolution, ecology, neurophysiology, genetics, cognitive and experimental psychology and pest control; and botanists interested in plant-insect relationships.

Part I: Mechanisms of learning. Learning at the organismal level - R Menzel; Behavior genetics - T Tully. Biochemistry - W G Quinn; Neurobiology - T Tobin. Part II: Physiological ecology of learning; Dietary mixing - E A Bernays; Sensory ecology of learning in parasitoids - W J Lewis. Part III: Behavioral ecology of learning. Learning and foraging theory - D Stephens; Learning and sociality - J Gould. Part IV: Evolution of learning. Quantitative genetics - C Brandes; Genetic constraints on the evolution of learning - S Via; Coevolution and learning - A C Lewis; Evolution of learning and instinct - D R Papaj; Learning and formation of host races - M Rausher and J Jaenike; Learning and evolution of complex traits - J Maynard Smith; Macroevolution of learning: comparative approaches - J Rosenheim. Part V: Future directions. Applications of learning to pest management - L Vet and R Prokopy; Bridging psychology and entomology - V Dethier.