Insects as Service Providers

1. Insect as Service providers: need for recognition.- 2. Insects in Environmental Engineering & Ecosystem Services.- 3. Insect Pollinators.- 4. Insects as Human Food.- 5. Insect Therapists.- 6. Insect Toxins & Their Bioprospecting.- 7. Insects in Forensic Investigations.- 8. Insects in Research & Innovation.- 9. Insects in Scientific Advancements.- 10. Insect Tourism.- 11. Insects in Culture.- 12. Insects in Recreation.

This book overviews the role of insects in providing various human, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, and cultural services. It presents a comprehensive account of insect service providers to show different aspects of insects and cultivate the appreciation of insects. Insects are beneficial to humans as ecofriendly tools, as parasitoids and predators in the biological control of insect pests and vectors, reducing the use of agrochemicals in modern agriculture and protecting the environment. Insects facilitate crop pollination and increase the agricultural yield. They are farmers’ friends, and serve as food for the human population worldwide, provide pharmaceuticals, take part in ecosystem services, and work as scavengers. Insects are used in disease therapy and wound healing. They are also helpful in criminal investigations and are the best models for research and technology innovations. Insects also yield various silks, lac, honey, propolis, wax, etc., promoting insecttourism, recreations, and culture. This contributed volume focuses on these different beneficial aspects of insects in human life. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students of entomology, agricultural zoology, researchers, and anyone interested in insects, including policy planners.