As in most groups of insects, scientific research on the Chrysomelidae began in Europe in 1758, with the description of a few genera and species by the Scandinavian entomologists C. von Linne, I.C. Fabricius, and others. As the 19th century dawned, many systematic entomologists took up the study of chrysomelid beetles, together with other groups of beetles, and many new species and genera were described from all parts of the world. This trend has, of course, continued down to the present time. However, researches on the Chrysomelidae did not remain restricted to systematics, and many new lines of study have been followed, especially in the present century, by workers who have benefitted from the advances made in related fields of pure and applied entomology. Much has been achieved in the study of the Chrysomelidae, as elsewhere, and it is the aim of the present book to provide a summary and guide to these achievements. It is also to be expected that this book will provide a stimulus for further studies on the Chrysomelidae, so that we can anticipate continuing progress in our knowledge and understanding of this group through the endeavours of an ever-increasing number of scientists. I offer my congratulations to all concerned in the preparation of this book and my best wishes for its success.

Inhalt

1. Trophic Selection.- 1. Food Habits and Food Selection of Chrysomelidae. Bionomic and Evolutionary Perspectives.- 2. Crucifer-Feeding Chrysomel1dae: Mechanisms of Host Plant Finding and Acceptance.- 3. Feeding Stimulants of Leaf Beetles.- 4. Host Plants and Defense mechanisms in Oedionychina (Alticinae).- 5. Leaf-Beetle Community Structure in an Amazonian Rainforest Canopy.- 6. The Chrysomelidae: A Useful Group for Investigating Herbivore-Herbivore Interaction.- 2. Biogeography.- 7. Zoogeography of the Chrysomelidae.- 8. The Origins of the Alticinae.- 3. Genetics and Evolution.- 9. Cytogenetics. Cytotaxonomy and Genetics of Chrysomelidae.- 10. Chromosome Numbers and Meioformulae of Chrysomelidae.- 11. Cytotaxonomy of Alticinae.- 12. Genetics of the Two Colour Forms of Chrysolina Aurichalcea (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and their Gene Frequencies in Two Mountainous Areas of Central Honshu, Japan.- 13. Genetics of Chelymorpha Cribraria, Cassidinae: Colour Patterns and their Ecological Meanings.- 4. Defense Mechanisms.- 14. Chemical Defense in the Chrysomelidae.- 15. Larval Gregariousness in the Chrysomelidae.- 16. Mimicry and the Chrysomelidae.- 17. The Jumping Apparatus of Flea Beetles (Alticinae) The Metafemoral Spring.- 5. Anatomy and Reproduction.- 18. Localization of Spermatozoa Inside Viviparous and Ovirparous Females of Chrysomelinae.- 19. Comparative Morphology of the Internal Reproductive System of the Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera).- 20. Sperm Structure and Phylogeny of the Chrysomelidae.- 6. Natural Enemies.- 21. Viruses and Chrysomelidae.- 22. Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) Parasitic on Chrysomelidae.- 23. Microsporida of the Chrysomelidae.- 24. Gregarines of Chrysomelidae.- 25. Nematode Parasites of Chrysomelidae.- 26. The Parasitoids ofHispinae.- 7. Bionomics and Miscellaneous Topics.- 27. Chrysomelids and Ants.- 28. The Criocerinae: Biology. Phylogeny and Evolution.- 29. Biology of Oulema.- 30. Biology of Camptosomata. Clytrinae - Cryptocephalinae - Chlamisinae Lamprosomatinae.- 31. Eumolpinae Associated with Cacao Trees (Theobroma Cacao l.) in Southeast Bahia.- 32. Biology of Neotropical Cassidinae.- 33. Host Specificity, Seasonality and Bionomics of Leptinotarsa Beetles.- Authors Index.- Taxonomic Index.