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Vol. 27, no. 2
ESA BULLETIN
spp. stings are responsible for more cases of anaphylaxis
than stings from Vespidae and Apidae combined.
Chapters 2 through 6 of the text describe the clinical,
pathological,
and immunological
aspects of hymenoptera
stings and hypersensitization.
The composition,
standardization, and stability of hymenoptera venoms used for hyposensitization are also discussed. One unifying theme in this
section, as well as through the entire monograph, is the need
for continued basic and clinical research in the area of hypersensitization to hymenoptera and its treatment.
The chapters on the diagnosis, symptomatic
treatment,
and immunotherapy
of insect sting reactions should be
extremely
useful to physicians
in determining
whether
venom hyposensitization
therapy is warranted, and if so, the
proper treatment
regimen. Included in this section is a
detailed guideline on recommended therapy for anaphylactic
shock. Individuals
sensitive to stings who are currently
receiving whole body extracts should make their attending
physician aware of this monograph so that venom hyposensitization therapy can be considered. Some patients, especially beekeepers and their families, may have inhalant or
contact allergies to Apis melli/era instead of, or in addition
to, venom sensitivity and may benefit from whole body
extract treatment. Whole body extracts are currently used in
allergic immunotherapy
for Formicidae stings with efficacy
approaching
90 to 95% against the red imported fire ant.
Two chapters on the adverse immunological
reactions to
venom immunotherapy,
which may vary from local reactions to life-threatening
systemic reactions, supplement this
section on recommended
treatment.
The chapter on protective measures against insect stings is
primarily an expansion
of guidelines presented in earlier
sections. A novel problem mentioned is that of winter stinging hazards. Wasps frequently nest in rafters of summer
cottages and become active when the building is heated
during a winter weekend, a situation which may result in
unexpected stings.
The final chapters in this monograph cover allergic reactions to biting insects and inhalant insect allergies. Systemic
reactions to insect bites are rare in comparison
to stings,
however they can be severe in sensitive individuals. Whole
body extracts are often used for diagnostic skin tests and
hyposensitization
therapy for both bite and inhalant allergies. Favorable results using this treatment predominate
in
the literature; however, there are also many failures. Lack. of
uniformity in methodology and antigenic preparation
make
it impossible to compare and evaluate different studies.
Large-scale controlled clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy
for bite and
inhalant insect allergies.
Entomological
Society of America approved
common
names of insects are used in this monograph
with a few
exceptions. The only major classification error noted was the
placement of Culicoidesfurens
in the Phlebotominae
family
(sic) and referring to it as a sand fly. An expanded section on
the use of insect sting kits in managing allergies and the use of
medical warning tags or bracelets for allergic individuals
would have contributed
to the text. While the individual
chapters are relatively free of errors, poor indexing detracts
from the value of the text. Many key words, e.g. bedbug, flea,
mosquito, repellent, etc., are not listed and some indexed
words are not thoroughly
covered, e.g. the symptomatic
treatment
of anaphylactic
shock is not indexed under
anaphylaxis.
As entomologists,
we face increased occupational
exposure to arthropods
which may result in rates of systemic
reactions much higher than the estimated 0.5 to 1.0% in the
general population. This monograph
is an excellent contri-
bution to the literature on the mangement of insect allergies
which should prove very helpful in insuring state-of-the-art
diagnosis and treatment.
CPT Robert A. Wirtz
Toxicologv Services Group
Leiterman Army Institute of Research
Presidio of San Francisco. CA 94129
URRAI\ INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT
FOR OEClUCOUS
TREES.
SHRUBS AND FRUIT by John A. Quist. 1980. Pioneer
Science Publications, Greeley, Colorado. 169 pp.
The subject that Dr. Quist treats is well deserving of
detailed attention. Integrated pest management (I PM) is one
of the vogue phrases favored in current entomological literature, though its application to nonagricultural
ecosystems,
especially urban environments,
has been neglected. The
book's title suggested to us a fresh approach to managing
insects in home landscapes-the
possibility of applying the
latest integrated strategies. A circular promoting the book
piqued our interest because it claimed that Quist's work
represents
a "complete
guide" and the "first organized
approach toward resolving the complicated considerations
involved with insect pest management
on urban ornamentals." What resulted from his efforts, however, was not just
disappointing
but deplorable-an
affront to the intelligence
of the home gardener and a discredit to the profession of
entomology.
Urban Insect Pest Management.
so poorly executed, so
strewn with inaccuracies,
inconsistencies,
and curiosities,
renders coherent evaluation
nearly impossible, but we'll
try-beginning
with the title. Although Quist follows tradition by referring to the management
of pests in the home
landscape as an "urban problem" (cf. Frankie, G.W. and
C.S. Koehler. 1978. Perspectives
in Urban Entomology,
Academic Press, New York), the environment
he treats is
suburban. Indeed, this is the setting depicted on the front
cover. The title is not only misleading but presumptuous;
it
implies that the material pertains to pest problems in Boston
as well as it does to those in Fort Collins. A more appropriate
title would have been Suburban Insect Control in the Rocky
Mountain Region. H is choice of plants and associated insect
pests shows a Colorado
bias, and throughout
there is a
provincial flavor to the control suggestions.
A less important
problem occurs in the subtitle, which
states that only deciduous trees and shrubs and fruit are
included. Several genera treated, however (Arctostaphylos,
Hedera. Mahonia. and Pyracantha),
are characterized
as
"evergreen," as are certain species of Cotoneaster. If"deciduous" were intended to apply only to trees and not shrubs,
then popular evergreen plants like azalea, rhododendron,
and boxwood,
as well as various conifers (arborvitae,
juniper, yew), should have been treated.
The volume seems notable only for its extraordinary
diversity of flaws-a
perfect "how-not-to"
manual. An irritatingly large number of errors preclude easy reading. Misspellings are frequent ("dessication,"
"gardners," "kernal,"
"persistant,"
and "seered"), with "principal" misused in giving" 'principle' pest management suggestions" for each tree
orshrub species. Punctuation often is curious; for example, a
colon is consistently
used after "include" to introduce a
series. Commas not only are omitted where they are necessary but are inserted where least expected. Hyphenation is
inconsistent with the mite Tetranychus urticae Koch referred
to as "twospotted,"
"two-spotted,"
and "two spotted." Similar problems occur with "flatheaded"
and "redhumped."
Capitals are omitted from Pacific Coast, Asiatic, and Mississippi River Valley.
Too· often the grammar
is equally atrocious.
Prepositions
Vol.
27,
no.
2
ESA BULLETIN
are misused in "defoliation of the larval stage" and in referring on p. 24 to insects "in," "on," and "of' Table 9. An
interesting adverbial construction
is "unpleasantly
smelling." On nearly any page one can find verbs that do not agree
in number with their subject (" Apricots are one of the most
desired of the deciduous fruits and is utilized fresh ... ").
The first sentence of Quist's preface, where we are told he
intends to "initiate the first organized approach"
(italics
ours), sets the tone for a graceless writing style. It is frequently wordy ("insect pests are grouped in three groups,"
"forthcoming in the future"); awkward ("As an introduced
tree, we have few insect pests attacking this tree''); or simply
unfathomable ("It is best planted not too near buildings or
walkways where the falling catkins, leaves and nuts will not
be objectionable''). The following. a run-on sentence and non
sequitur, is a favorite: "From the landscaping standpoint this
is more than enough, also, we have no need for fence posts."
In addition, there are several sentence fragments. To liven an
otherwise drab writing style, the author coined the words
"expectably" and "safen." The errors singled out are not
isolated; similar examples can be found on any page, perhaps
in any paragraph.
Sadly, the format equals the mechanics and writing style.
Photographs are mostly mediocre and sometimes poor (pp.
30,86,87,91).
Pictures of nests of the western tent caterpillar
appear on both p. 20 and 21. Captions are carelessly worded,
with "larvae" often being used when a single caterpillar is
shown. Once we are told that a larva is a "caterpillar larvae."
That these errors resulted not only from unfamiliarity with
Latin, but inattentiveness is shown by his use of "ad ults" for a
single insect. In the most ludicrous caption, we are told a
cottonwood borer is "on cottonwood"
although there is an
obvious absence of plant material.
We note that the graphs often are meaningless by themselves and vague even with reference to the text; most have
unlabeled axes of reference and have no legend. Citation of
references is unconventional
with author and date used
infrequently or in an annoying style ("Childers, (1969), suggests ... "). More often only an author name is cited, which
is confusing when the bibliography lists more than one paper
for that author. We also found that in our 3-hole-drilled
edition many words were obliterated. The promotion circular for the book suggests that the holes allow "insertion of
revisions," but unless there is a looseleaf edition, this proves
difficult, even though the bound volume has a soft cover.
We would have been more inclined to gloss over some of
the defects in execution and format if the book had something substantial to offer homeowners and had been technically sound. But the author does not live up to his promise of
considering "every pest known on each host plant "; at least
for the eastern United States he omits several pests of consequence, e.g., honeylocust plant bug and hawthorn lace bug
on species of Cotoneaster and Pyracantha. Several statements do not hold for the eastern states. Honeylocust cannot
be considered "free of pest problems," and A melanchier does
not have many pests in common with apple or raspberry.
There are additional
entomological
errors or confusing
statements. We fail to understand why eggs of certain mites,
scale insects, and Lepidoptera are characterized as "damaging forms," or why larvae of the honeylocust pod gall midge
are classified as "sucking insects." Most laymen, and even
some entomologists,
would fail to associate the "spiny elm
caterpillar" in photographs
on p. 45 with the "mourning
cloak butterfly" mentioned in the text and in the list of elm
pests.
Under spray recommendations,
we note that names of all
insecticides are capitalized whether they are trade or generic
names. Although the author suggests dormant oils for use
against eggs of tent caterpillars and leafrollers, this is not
151
recommended for the East, and it is questionable
Rocky Mountain area.
even for the
From a botanical
or horticultural
viewpoint,
several
statements reveal a lack of technical competence. Species of
the genus Arctium are not thistles; Catalpa. at least in the
eastern U.S., is not an "important landscape tree"; poison ivy
leaves and sap do not "sting" when touched; shrubs under
drought conditions do not become "thrifty;" a "shallow,
wide-spreading
root system" does not provide" good stability"; and apple trees do not always produce "five fruit blossoms ... at each fruit bud." We also wonder what "smallmedium-large shrubs" are.
Most homeowners would find some of the "pest management suggestions" diffieult to interpret or implement, e.g.,
"acidifying spray solutions." Few would comprehend "beneficials," "pre-RPAR,"
"SLN", or "premise uses" of insecticides. An obvious omission is the incorporation
of resistant
varieties or cultivars and relatively resistant plant species
into the scheme of pest management. The use of parasites or
predators is recommended
several times, but no attempt is
made to identify them or to provide sources of these natural
enemies. In fact, the author's ideas on IPM practices seem to
have been nurtured in a vacuum; no reference is made to the
Frankie and Koehler volume we mentioned earlier or to
research being conducted on ornamentals in California, e.g.,
by William and Helga Olkowski.
By now, it is obvious that this book will not benefit either
the homeowner
or the professional
entomologist.
We do,
however, commend the author for seeing the need for applying IPM principles to the home landscape. Urban Insect Pest
Management required time and effort in preparation;
it is all
too easy for us to be critical, but why did the author apparently not confer with colleagues working in related areas of
entomology or have the manuscript reviewed? What motivated him to publish what seems to be a rough draft?
Our evaluation has been critical but, in our opinion,
This unfavorable review is written to encourage studies
contribute
to our knowledge
of insects associated
ornamentals and to our ability to combat pest problems
minimal disruption to the environment.
fair.
that
with
with
A. G. Wheeler, Jr.
Frank G, Stearns
Bureau of Plant Industry
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Harrisburg. PA 17110
SAMPLING METHODS IN SOYBEANENTOMOLOGY,M. Kogan
and D. C. Herzog. eds. Springer-Verlag
New York, Inc.,
Secaucus, N.J. 587 pp. $44.80.
This volume is one from the Springer-Verlag
series in
experimental
entomology;
its purpose is (I) to report new
developments in methodology, (2) to identify individuals and
groups who have dealt with and solved particular entomological problems, and (3) to describe experiments
which
might be applicable for use in the laboratory part of biology
courses. This particular volume certainly satisfies two of the
stated purposes of the series. A comprehensive
state-of-theart in sampling methodology for insects associated with soybean is presented and the individuals and groups that have
been responsible for the development of sampling techniques
are identified.
The thirty-one contributors to the twenty-eight chapters of
the volume are internationally
known scientists and among
the world leaders in soybean insect research. They have done
a commendable job in reviewing and citing pertinent literature. In fact, the book contains virtually a bibliography of the
published work on the biology and ecology of insects associated with soybean. It is an excellent reference for scientists