Economic Entomology

Abstract

PERHAPS in no branch of science have greater developments occurred in the last half-century than in the realm of economic entomology. Since the pioneer days of Miss E. Ormerod and her co-workers, there has been a prominent change of attitude towards the subject on the part of economic entomologists, which has resulted in a corresponding change of attitude of academic entomologists towards workers in the applied field. Though the work of the entomologist will always be primarily that of observing the living animal in all its activities, more and more is he finding it necessary to attack his problems by the use of methods employed by his colleagues of cognate sciences. The greatest qualitative development of the subject has resulted from this invasion of chemistry, physics, and botany. Thus the chemist and physicist investigate in detail the effect of insecticide on plant and animal, and the botanical aspect is expressed in a determination of the effect of the insect on plant physiology. The most recent development lies in the hands of the mathematician, embodying for the most part attempts to measure the intensity of insect infection before and after treatment. It is because of this active co-operation that the economic entomologist is no longer regarded as a dabbler in science, but one who awaits and welcomes active collaboration with chemists, physicists, and botanists. Such collaboration does exist, and is resulting in the establishment of a sound scientific foundation.

(1) The Problems of Applied Entomology.

By Prof. Robert A. Wardle. Pp. xii + 587 + 4 plates.(Publications of the University of Manchester, No. 191: Biological Series No. 5.) (Manchester: Manchester University Press; London: Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., 1929.) 30s. net.

(2) The Principles of Applied Zoology.

By Prof. Robert A. Wardle. Pp. xii + 427. (London, New York and Toronto: Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., 1929.) 21s. net.

(3) Destructive and Useful Insects: their Habits and Control.

By Prof. C. L. Metcalf W. P. Flint. (McGraw-Hill Publications in the Zoölogical Sciences.) Pp. xii + 918. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.; London: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., 1928.) 37s. 6d. net.