Insects at Low Temperature

"Insects at Low Temperature" provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, covering both theoretical and applied aspects and containing a balance of physiological and ecological information. Ranging in level from the basic to the advanced, the book explains the general principles of insect cold tolerance, emphasizing water relations, cryoprotectants and antifreeze proteins, and the impact of cold on development and survival. It also contains chapters on cold shock and heat shock, the effects of cold on morphogenesis, the relationship between cold-hardiness and diapause, and thermoperiodism. A feature of the book is its discussion of practical applications, including the effects of low temperatures on silkworm eggs, the over-wintering of honey bees, and the implications of cold-hardiness for pest management. One of the most important topics discussed is the cryopreservation of "drosphila " embryos, which could provide a way to avoid the expensive and labour-intensive method of rearing insects to preserve genetic lines.