Preface

The first edition of Insect Ecology was published in 1975, and remained the only textbook in the field for over 20 years, passing through a second edition in 1984, and a third edition in 1997. By the time this book had been in print for 30 years, a change in design and coverage seemed propitious. I (PWP) was fortunate to team up with Dr. Robert Denno, and we engaged in a stimulating, enjoyable and fruitful collaboration designing and writing this new book, Insect Ecology: Behavior, Populations and Communities. His tragic death in 2008 left his influence and perspective unrepresented as the book progressed, but some former graduate students of his were eager to see the project completed, and they agreed to write chapters. Hence, we have five authors contributing to the book, giving it a fresh complexion.

We have written this textbook for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and other kinds of researchers. Our emphasis is on providing an introduction to ecology for entomologists, and an introduction to entomological concerns for ecologists. Providing a conceptual basis for investigating insects to satisfy the empirical and problem-solving motivations broadens the scope of understanding and research from a merely descriptive phase to a hypothesis-testing, theory-building enterprise. Research studies that contribute to entomology and ecology simultaneously can add new dimensions to each field, and ecologists who include entomological studies in their comparative work with other taxa broaden the scope of investigation. Therefore, this book should contribute to the increasing synthesis of science.