Employing the clear, student-friendly style that made previous editions so popular, Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Fourth Edition presents an engaging and authoritative guide to the latest findings in the dynamic field of insect physiology. The book supplies a comprehensive picture of the current state of the function, development, and reproduction of insects. Expanded and updated, now in full colour, this fourth edition adds three new chapters on the role of the nervous system in behavior; the 'Genomics Revolution' in entomology; and global climate changes which have a major effect on insects, including warming and weather. It continues to challenge conventional entomological wisdom with the latest research and analytical interpretations.

The text will appeal to upper undergraduate and graduate students and to practicing biologists who need to possess a firm knowledge of the broad principles of insect physiology. With detailed full colour illustrations to help explain physiological concepts and important anatomical details, it remains the most easily accessible guide to key concepts in the field.

About the Author

James L. Nation is currently Professor Emeritus in the Entomology & Nematology Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. He taught graduate courses in the Department of Entomology & Nematology, conducted research, and taught Global Environmental Issues in the Honors Program before retiring in June 2003 after 43 years teaching and research at the University of Florida. He continued to teach, on a contract basis, in the undergraduate Honor Program at University of Florida (Global Environmental Issues, 3 credit course, and Origin of Humans, 1 credit course) until 2020 when he retired from teaching. He holds a BS degree (1957) from Mississippi State University (Entomology with Chemistry minor) and a PhD (1960) from Cornell University (Entomology with specialization in insect physiology and insect biochemistry). He was voted Teacher of the Year by the graduate students in the Entomology & Nematology Dept. at University of Florida in 1989-90, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1998-99, and 2000-2001. In 2001 he received the Distinguished Faculty Award from Florida Blue Key Fraternity for outstanding service to the University of Florida. In 2006 he received an award from the Florida Entomological Society in recognition of Achievement for Teaching in Higher Education. He introduced a graduate course in Insect Physiology for entomology students at Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL in the fall term, 2006. The course was taught principally by interactive TV from Gainesville, with a few visits to the A&M campus. At the annual HONORS BANQUET on April 15, 2010, he was selected as the 2010/2011 Honors Professor of the Year at the University of Florida. He edited (with two others) the international Journal of Chemical Ecology from 1995-2000, and the Florida Entomologist, An International Journal for the Americas from 2004-2010. In 2011 he received an award from the Florida Entomological Society in recognition of Editorial Services to the Society for editing the Florida Entomologist. He has authored or co-authored more than 85 scientific publications in refereed journals, and short articles in the Encyclopedia of Entomology (John Capinera, Editor). He is the author of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry (CRC Press), a textbook for graduate and undergraduate studies. The first edition was published in 2002, a revised 2nd edition of the book was published in April 2008, and a 3rd revised edition was published in August 2015. The 4th revision is soon to be published. His e-mail address is JLN@ufl.edu

Reviews

"This revised edition of Nation's Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Fourth Edition will be a great boon to those teaching insect biochemistry and physiology to advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as to insect scientists in general. It is readable, up-to-date, and full of information. The new references since the last edition in 2014 are separated from the original ones at the end of each chapter so it is easy to find them. There are two new chapters dealing with the impact of climate change on insects and the new genomic approaches such as CRISPR that are already producing major advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of insect life processes."

-- Lynn M. Riddiford, Professor of Biology Emerita, University of Washington, USA

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS

"The volume is clearly written and well organized, facilitating its use as a reference work. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview of the subject; it will be a useful starting point for students and others seeking to learn the basics of this diverse and broad field. Summing up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners."
-R. E. Lee Jr., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA, for CHOICE, March 2016

"Insect Physiology and Biochemistry provides an excellent introduction of the subjects for graduate students and advanced undergraduates for whom it is written and will serve as a primer for the non specialist eager to employ insects as their research models. The text is clear, well arranged, and a pleasure to read. It presents the broad concepts and focuses on contemporary references...In all, this textbook is an impressive work, emblematic of Nation's ability to present clearly the salient highlights of insect physiology and biochemistry. Its wide adoption as a teaching text is assured."
-William S. Bowers, The University of Arizona, USA Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 28, No. 12

"... This textbook does a nice job of presenting information to students. The new edition of course has been updated. Each chapter has received some updating with most noticeable improvements to the figures. The font has not changed but a better paper has been used to make the text and figures easier to read. The front cover might even be more visually appealing to some, although the content is what is important. In addition several chapters have been added to improve the new edition. One is on diapauses and one about immunity. These were added in response to suggestions made by reviewers of the first edition and are important aspects to include in a text on insect physiology. Studies on diapauses have occurred for quite some time, but more recent insights into the molecular mechanisms behind diapause were also included. Insect immunity is an area of insect physiology that is currently receiving a considerable amount of research attention. This chapter provides students with an overview of this important topic. ...Other changes that have improved the second edition are the expansion of chapters on vision and flight. The new edition has been improved with the addition of some color plates placed in the middle of the book. ... I would recommend this textbook to all students, faculty, and other scholars studying insects. The new edition is improved and covers almost every aspect of insect physiology. Every student of entomology should have a course in insect physiology and up to date textbooks are required to help teach these courses. James Nation has taught insect physiology and other courses for quite some time and has incorporated that knowledge into this textbook. The references at the end of each chapter are invaluable to new students and old who want to find out more information about certain topics. As more biologists become interested in insects as more genomes are sequenced they will want to know more about how the genes they are studying fit into the physiology and biochemistry of insects in general. Control measures based more on the specifics of insect physiology will also be developed in the future and background information will be required to exploit these technologies. This textbook will provide that background information."
-Russell Jurenka, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, in Florida Entomologist

"I found the book Insect Physiology and Biochemistry by James L. Nation extremely useful.... The author has done an excellent job of covering all major topics from a physiological and biochemical point of view, seeking to incorporate the latest in the field of knowledge. In my opinion, the primary strength of the current edition is the comprehensive yet concise manner in which it has dealt with various topics in insect physiology with a biochemical and in some cases a molecular perspective."
-N. Krishnan, Dept. of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University

"This revised edition of Nation's Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Fourth Edition will be a great boon to those teaching insect biochemistry and physiology to advanced undergraduates and graduate students as well as to insect scientists in general. It is readable, up-to-date, and full of information. The new references since the last edition in 2014 are separated from the original ones at the end of each chapter so it is easy to find them. There are two new chapters dealing with the impact of climate change on insects and the new genomic approaches such as CRISPR that are already producing major advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of insect life processes."

-- Lynn M. Riddiford, Professor of Biology Emerita, University of Washington, USA

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS

"The volume is clearly written and well organized, facilitating its use as a reference work. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview of the subject; it will be a useful starting point for students and others seeking to learn the basics of this diverse and broad field. Summing up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners."
-R. E. Lee Jr., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA, for CHOICE, March 2016

"Insect Physiology and Biochemistry provides an excellent introduction of the subjects for graduate students and advanced undergraduates for whom it is written and will serve as a primer for the non specialist eager to employ insects as their research models. The text is clear, well arranged, and a pleasure to read. It presents the broad concepts and focuses on contemporary references...In all, this textbook is an impressive work, emblematic of Nation's ability to present clearly the salient highlights of insect physiology and biochemistry. Its wide adoption as a teaching text is assured."
-William S. Bowers, The University of Arizona, USA Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 28, No. 12

"... This textbook does a nice job of presenting information to students. The new edition of course has been updated. Each chapter has received some updating with most noticeable improvements to the figures. The font has not changed but a better paper has been used to make the text and figures easier to read. The front cover might even be more visually appealing to some, although the content is what is important. In addition several chapters have been added to improve the new edition. One is on diapauses and one about immunity. These were added in response to suggestions made by reviewers of the first edition and are important aspects to include in a text on insect physiology. Studies on diapauses have occurred for quite some time, but more recent insights into the molecular mechanisms behind diapause were also included. Insect immunity is an area of insect physiology that is currently receiving a considerable amount of research attention. This chapter provides students with an overview of this important topic. ...Other changes that have improved the second edition are the expansion of chapters on vision and flight. The new edition has been improved with the addition of some color plates placed in the middle of the book. ... I would recommend this textbook to all students, faculty, and other scholars studying insects. The new edition is improved and covers almost every aspect of insect physiology. Every student of entomology should have a course in insect physiology and up to date textbooks are required to help teach these courses. James Nation has taught insect physiology and other courses for quite some time and has incorporated that knowledge into this textbook. The references at the end of each chapter are invaluable to new students and old who want to find out more information about certain topics. As more biologists become interested in insects as more genomes are sequenced they will want to know more about how the genes they are studying fit into the physiology and biochemistry of insects in general. Control measures based more on the specifics of insect physiology will also be developed in the future and background information will be required to exploit these technologies. This textbook will provide that background information."
-Russell Jurenka, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, in Florida Entomologist

"I found the book Insect Physiology and Biochemistry by James L. Nation extremely useful.... The author has done an excellent job of covering all major topics from a physiological and biochemical point of view, seeking to incorporate the latest in the field of knowledge. In my opinion, the primary strength of the current edition is the comprehensive yet concise manner in which it has dealt with various topics in insect physiology with a biochemical and in some cases a molecular perspective."
-N. Krishnan, Dept. of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University

Book Information
ISBN 9781032247045
Author James L. Nation, Sr.
Format Hardback
Page Count 564
Imprint CRC Press
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 1240g