anatomy; 6, Physiology of host-pathogen interactions;
7, Genetics of host-pathogen
interaction;
8, Epidemiology disease in population; 9, Influence of environment; 10, Action of toxicants; 11, Chemical control; 12, Biological and cultural control; 13, Breeding
for resistance;
14, Organ affected; and 15, Special
topics.
This volume has 18 articles listed under 8 of the 15
sections. The review articles included are: Taxonomy
of the Soft Rot Coliform Bacteria; Parasitism Among
N eotropical Phanerogams;
Reproduction in Plant and
Soil Nematodes; Role of Cuticle in the Defense Against
Plant Disease; Influence of Plant Exudates on Root-Infecting Fungi; Host-Specific Plant Toxins; Biochemistry of Pathological Darkening of Plant Tissues; Infection
Process in Plant Virus Diseases; Biological and Physiological Aspects of Bacterial Wilt Caused by Pseudomonas
solallacearum; Host Responses to Vascular Infection;
Ozone Damage to Plants; Effect of Crop-Residue Decomposition Products on Plant Roots; Soil Fungicides:
Microbial Deg-radation of Synthetic Compounds; Soil
Fungistasis;
Hyperparasitism;
Role of Mycorrhizae in
Root Disease.
E. C. Stakman in the prefactory chapter, "Opportunity
and Obligation in Plant Pathology" stresses that the
foorl problem is onc of the greatest now confronting mankind. It is an immediate problem for plant pathologists
and others in the food science area.
This review, like the first volume of the series, provicles a wealth of material quickly available for use by
plant pathologists and others concerned with plant diseascs. Storehouses of information such as these will
speed man's search for means to provide food for all thc
people of the world.
E. S. ELLIOTT
Associate Professor of Plallt Pathology
C. K. DORSEY
Professor of Entomology
West Virginia University
111organtowll, West Virginia
THE CO~[PARATIVEETHOLOGYAND EVOLUTIONOF THE
SAND WASPS, by Howard E. Evans. 1966. Harvard
University Press. xvi
526 p .. 215 fig., 47 tables,
$15.00.
+
For more than a dozen years Evans has concentrated
his extensive field studies of the behavior and life history of solitary wasps on that closely related comple..x
known as thc sand wasps (subfamily Nyssoninae, tribes
Gorytini, Alyssonini, Nyssonini, Sitizini and Bembicini).
In this important contribution he presents behavioral
observations in detail, correlated with a consideration of
the morphological characters diagnostic of the genera or
species. In discussing the importance of relating behavioral to morphological criteria, Evans aptly remarks,
"Behavior is what an animal does with its structure;
structure is what an animal uses to behave."
An introductory chapter gives the reader a brief history of the classification of the N yssoninae, a section on
morphology of the adults and larvae, and a few pages
defining the terms used in the ethological descriptions.
There follows a series of 11 chapters, proceeding from
the more generalized to the more specialized wasps, dealing with groups of genera, or a single genus, or, as in
Bembi:r, with groups of generalized and specialized species. The treatment of each species is taken up, insofar
as possible, under the headings of range, location and
author of studies, habitat and season of activity, general
features of adult behavior, reproductive behavior, digging
of nest, structure of nest, hunting and provisioning, immature stages and development, and natural enemies.
Under these headings Evans reports in detail his own
observations on North American spccies and includes
digests of previously published contributions on these
same species by other obscrvers. Published accounts of
other species in the genus, either ~orth American or
exotic, are given briefer treatment near the end of each
chapter. Extensive line drawings of pertinent morphological details and profiles of completed nests accompany
each chapter, as well as halftone illustrations of behavioral details and of habitat. :\1.any of the chapters conclude with a summary of the salient behavioral characters of the genus or group of genera.
The rich variety and complexity of behavioral details
elaborated in the first dozen chapters will be a revelation
to those who may considcr the behavior of solitary wasps
to be relatively simple, consisting of digging a hole in th~
ground, hunting for and paralyzing the appropriate prey,
storing' the cell, and closing the burrow. Evans shows
that each one of these components of nesting behavior
may be manifested in numerous patterns characteristic
of species, groups of species, or of genera. True, there is
sometimes variation in some of these details at the specific
level, such as in burrow length or prey constancy. This
fact should not dismay us! Ta..xonomists are accu!'to.mcd
to some variation in morphological characters wlthm a
species, and we have no reason to postulate that ethological characters should not be subject also to a reaso:lable degree of variation.
In the final 3 chapters Evans considers the fossil
record, distribution and comparative morphology of the
sand wasps, their comparative ethology, and the evolution
of behavior in the group. He was able to authenticate
only 2 fossils as belonging to the Nyssoninae, one from
the Eocene and one from the Miocene; both are referable to the Gorytini, the most generalized extant stock.
The distributional
data are in concordance with till'
fossil evidence in suggesting that the Gorytini are tll<'
most primitive tribe in the subfamily. In his study of
comparative
morphology
at the generic level Eva;ls
analyzes 30 characters of the adults anel 10 of the larvae
as being primitive, intermediate, or specialized. While
there may be some quibbling as to which is the primitive
or specialized condition of some characters, I believe that
most wasp systematists will be in substantial agreemmt
with Evans' hypothesis as to the phylogeny of the subfamily. That is, that the Gorytini represent the primitive
stock with the somewhat specialized Alyssonini branching off at a relatively low level and the c1eptoparasitic
N yssonini apparently bcing anotller offshoot along tllC
same phyletic line. The more specialized Stizini and,
finally, the Bembicini are offshoots from another branch
of more advanced Gorytini.
The penultimate chapter summarizes ecology and comparative behavior based on such factors as ecology and
general adult behavior, nesting behavior, hunting and
provisioning, c1eptoparasitism, cocoon spinning, and natural enemies. It is introductory to the final chapter discussing behavioral evolution in the Nyssoninae.
Evans
finds that there is not always concordance between classification based on behavioral and structural characters.
For example, the Gorytini exhibit relatively great structural evolution but the behavior is apparently rather
monotonously similar, whereas the Stizini and Bembicini show pronounced evolution in behavior and relatively
little structural
diversification.
Evans points out the
meagre extent of our knowledge of gory tine behavior, and
suggests that additional studies may reveal more significant behavioral divergences. He suggests that structural
evolution has lagged behind behavioral in the Stizini anel
Bembicini, or, more likely, that these wasps have evolved
a body form relatively incapable of further improvement
with respect to nesting, flight, and prey capture. However, Evans emphasizes that most genera of Stizini and
Bembicini, and certain generic complexes of Gorytini may
be as easily defined on behavioral as on structural characters.
74
I am in agreement with almost a\1 of Evans' interpretations and tentative hypotheses. However, I disagree
with parts of his hypothesis relative to prey selection (p.
487). He states that the higher Nyssoninae shifted from
an ancient group of insects (Hemiptera)
with incomplete
metamorphosis to later-evolving groups with complete
metamorphosis
(Lepidoptera and Diptera), overlooking
that the rather highly evolved Sti::lIs has shifted to an
even more ancient group with incomplete metamorphosis
(Orthoptera).
Most species of Stictiella, the prey preferences of which are known, prefer adults of night-flying moths, which presumably they flush from their
resting places. Consequently, his statement that the
nocturnal habits of most Lepidoptera "provide a less
ample field for cxploitation than the Diptera" seems
overdrawn.
The omission of the Asilidae from the list
of predators of adult wasps (p. 472) is surprising. His
brief summation of chrysidid biology, while accurate for
bcmbicine parasites, conveys the unfortunate inference
that all Chrysididae deposit an egg on the host larva and
the chrysidid larva feeds on the fu\1-grown host larva; in
many species the egg is laid at the same time as the host
eg/1:, the chrysidid larva hatches first, seeks out and destroys the host egg, and then feeds on the provisions
stored for the host larva.
This is a splendid and significant contribution to the
systematic and behavioral literature. Hopefu\1y, it should
stimulate additional workers to bring a similar degree of
dedication and insight to further exploration of the behavioral aspect of insect taxonomy. There is no more
exciting and fruitful method of investigating insect systematics than as practiced by Evans.
KARL V. KROMBEIN
U.s. Natiollal Museum
PALEARCTICTETRASTICHINAE (Hnr.
EULOPHIDAE) by
G. Domenichini (Index of Entomophagous
Insects)
Le Francois, Paris. 201 p., 15. 5X24 cm .. bound in
semi-flexible linen. $9.00.
The Illdex of Elltomophagolls Insects is an important
new series sponsored by the Organization Internationale
de Lutte Biologique edited by V. Delucchi and G. Remaudiere. The Index wi\1 cover the families of insects regarded as having economic importance because of their
parasitoid or predaceous habit. It has no geographic
limits and wi\1 cover, whenever possible, the entire world.
However, an issue of the Illdex may treat a systematic
unit of subfamily or even tribal rank and be restricted to
one zoogeographical zone or part of it, according to the
competence of its author. The Index will have a consistent format comprised of four sections, i.e. (1) the
entomophagous species, (2) the hosts, (3) bibliographic
~Iocumentation, (4) alphabetic index of parasite and
host names included in sections (1) and (2).
hosts are listed for 146. Probable hosts are suggested for
22 and no hosts are known for the remaining 63. From
these data, it is evident that much remains to be learned
about this important group of parasitic insects.
This publication and the issues of the Index to follow
will be indispensable to entomologists concerned with
biological control. It not only provides documented information regarding what is known about identity, distribution, and habits of the species covered, but it clearly
points to what is not known.
Its preparation by Domenichini, an outstanding authority on the family Tetrastichidae, provides assurance that
the treatment is a complete and critical review of existing knowledge concerning the group. This assurance is
of great importance to the biological control worker who
seldom has the time or special experience needed to sort
the significant from the trivial or even erroneous statements contained in the body of the literature concerning
a group such as Tetrastichinae.
With this issue of the Index, it is possible to obtain
answers to such questions as what species of Tetrastichinae are known to attack a given host within the
Palearctic region, what are the habits of a species, and
finally where can the important literature concerning a
species be found. To have such information as close as
the desk book shelf is the dream of all workers concerned
with biological control. The Organization Internationale
de Lutte Biologique is to be commended for sponsoring
such a well-conceived and useful source of information
about entomophagous insects. Sponsorship by the organization provides assurance that the effort needed to
complete the Index will be sustained. Editors Delucci
and Remaudiere also deserve much credit for the admirable organization of the Index as well as for the unenviable routine task of editing contributed manuscripts
as needed to bring them into conformity with this style.
Except for the Introduction,
which is given also in
French and Spanish, text of the Index is in English.
R. F. SAILER
Entomology Research Division
Agricultltral Research Service
U.S. Departmellt of Agriwlture
PESTICIDESIN THE ENVIRONIIlENTAND THEIR EFFECTS
ON WILDLIFE, edited by N. W. Moore. Proceedings
of an Advanced Study Institute sponsored by NATO.
Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol. 3, Suppl. 1966. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford, England. 311 p.
$12.00.
This supplemental volume, which records the proceedings of an advanced study institute sponsored by NATO
and attended by well-known scientists of diverse disciplines, is a collection of progress reports on work concerned with pesticide-wildlife problems. It reflects an
effort to bring together relevant data from different types
of studies in several countries and served as an inducement to approach mutual problems economically and fundamentally.
The present issue treats the eulophid subfamily tetrastichinae for the l'alearctic region and in its organization
and style, will doubtless serve as a model for subsequent
issues. Under Section 1, the entomophagous species are
listed alphabetically within the genus, while higher categories are arranged systematical1y. Under each taxon
there are six headings; (1) "Original Description" showing original spe\1ing; (2) "Synonyms"; (3) "Ta..,,<onomy"
giving the main bibliographic references concerning redescription, identification keys, and morphology of adult
and immature stages;
(4) "Hosts";
(5) "Biology."
which treats life history habits and economic importance;
and (6) "Geographic Distribution."
The sixth heading
is genera\1y defined by national political units; but in
cases of wide distribution, the area may be otherwise
indicated.
In the Palearctic region covered by this issue, 231
sllecies of Tetrastichinae are treated as valid, 38 are of
unknown or doubtful status, and 30 names stand as
nomina nuda. Of 231 recognized species, one or more
Contributions by 34 scientists, representing 15 professional disciplines and 11 nations, relate basic information
about pesticides and their use, wildlife populations, and
effects of pesticides on wildlife. A. H. Strickland provides statistics on quantities, locations, and risks vs. benefits of pesticide use. The concept of integrated control in
intensively cultivated areas is presented by M. J. Way as
necessitating the manipulation of the noncrop habitats
that normally are convenient reservoirs of agricultural
pests. M. S. Mulla describes studies on the effects of
vector control on nontarget organisms; he also cites examples of manipulation, such as draining of marshes, that
arc often more harmful to wildlife than are pesticides.
Other papers, by P. A. Butler, O. B. Cope, J. L. George,
J. H. Koeman, and N. W. Moore, show that organo-
75