The biology of wetas, king crickets and their allies [electronic resource] (Google eBook)

Laurence H. Field

CABI, 2001 - Science - 540 pages

Wetas are native to New Zealand and in evolutionary terms are insect 'dinosaurs' within the Orthoptera. Related species occur in South Africa, Australia, North America and to a lesser extent, Europe. This book brings together all known information on these groups (mostly in superfamilies Stenopelmatoidea and Gryllacridoidea) to form a compendium of existing scientific knowledge for future biological investigation and conservation. It is particularly useful for those working and researching in the areas of entomology, ecology and evolution, and contains 26 chapters by various authors in sections on: Systematics and biogeography (7 chapters); Morphology and anatomy (4 chapters); Ecology (3 chapters); Behaviour (5 chapters); Reproduction and development (2 chapters); Physiology (4 chapters); and Conservation of endangered species (1 chapter). A review of the Gryllacrididae is included, because of confusion over common names. A list of contributors and an index are also provided.

Contents

• Habitats and Biogeography of New Zealands Deinacridine: 35
• South African King Crickets Anostostomatidae: 73
• A Genetic Approach: 111
• Morphology and Anatomy of New Zealand Wetas: 127
• Morphometric Analysis of Hemideina spp in New Zealand: 163
• Sexual Selection and Secondary Sexual Characters of Wetas and King Crickets: 179
• Anatomy Development and Behaviour of the Chilean Red Cricket Cratomelus: 205
• The Ecology of Some Large Weta Species in New Zealand: 225
• The Galleryrelated Ecology of New Zealand Tree Wetas Hemideina femorata: 243
• Parasites of Anostostomatid Insects: 259
• Stridulatory Mechanisms and Associated Behaviour in New Zealand Wetas: 271
• Defence Behaviour: 297
• Mating Behaviour: 317
• Aggression Behaviour in New Zealand Tree Wetas: 333
• Communication and Reproductive Behaviour in North American Jerusalem: 351
• Effect of Temperature on Drumming Rates of Jerusalem: 374
• Postembryonic Development and Related Changes: 399
• Sensory Physiology: 429
• Neuromuscular Physiology and Motor Control: 459
• Circadian Rhythms in Tree Wetas Hemideina thoracica: 491
• Haemolymph Physiology: 509
• Anastostomatidae: 521
• Index: 529

About the author

L. H. Field, Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The biology of wetas, king crickets and their allies [electronic resource]; CABI Publishing Series
• Editor: Laurence H. Field
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: CABI, 2001
• ISBN: 0851997821, 9780851997827
• Length: 540 pages
• Subjects: Science / Life Sciences / Biology