
Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science
- 2nd Edition - November 1, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Editors: Peter W. Atkinson, Naoki Yamanaka
- Language: English
- Hardback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 5 4 2 4 - 2
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 5 8 1 8 - 9
Updated and expanded, this new edition of Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science, Five Volume Set is a unique resource, providing comprehensive review articles on contempor… Read more

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Request a sales quoteUpdated and expanded, this new edition of Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science, Five Volume Set is a unique resource, providing comprehensive review articles on contemporary topics in insect science and entomology. Important new topics include genetic control, pollinators, the impact of climate change, and changing environmental impacts on insect physiology and molecular biology. Each section includes extensive discussion on the impact of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics in the field, which has seen a revolution since publication of the previous edition.This work bridges gaps between disciplines, allows readers to easily learn the fundamentals of insect science and understand its applications e.g. in environmental control. Structured chapters guide the readers, providing links to references and practical resources such as methods.In the decades ahead, the fate of our civilization is intertwined with those of the insects and flora on our planet; a single authoritative reference work on molecular insect science provides an important part of the knowledge needed to act as responsible stewards of the planet.
- Revised and expanded, this new edition covers all contemporary topics, stressing the importance of insect science in the context of climate change, ecological sustainability and the challenges confronting humanity in the future
- Offers a comprehensive and authoritative review of the field, helping readers navigate the fragmented information they can find elsewhere
- Bridges the gap between core entomology and related disciplines ranging from molecular biology to ecology
- New chapters cover topics such as genetic control, pollinators, the impact of environmental change, and the huge progress of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics in the field
Students and researchers in entomology, zoology, genetics, molecular biology and ecology Professionals and organizations interested in insect science and its applications e.g. for biodiversity, agriculture and pest control
1. Reproduction and development
2. Immunity (including exoskeleton, trachea, digestion, Malpighian tubules, small RNA pathways – piRNA and siRNA, fat body-generated immunity)
3. Endocrinology
4. Nervous system, musculature, olfaction, gustation, and vision
5. Chemical ecology, behavior, social insects, ants, honey bees, termites, wasps
6. Pharmacology, insecticides, toxicology, insecticide resistance
7. Endosymbionts, Wolbachia
8.Molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry
9. Contemporary control strategies, Bacillus thuringiensis control, control by viruses, control by entomopathogens. Genetic Control
10. Climate science and species decline
- Edition: 2
- Published: November 1, 2025
- No. of pages (eBook): 4200
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Language: English
- Hardback ISBN: 9780323954242
- eBook ISBN: 9780323958189
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Peter W. Atkinson
UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences Dean Peter W. Atkinson, a Professor of Genetics in the Department of Entomology, joined UCR in 1997. Prior to his tenure at UC Riverside, he was a senior research scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Canberra, Australia. Atkinson earned his Ph.D. and B.S., with honors, from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Since joining UC Riverside, Atkinson has served in a number of administrative roles within the college, campus, and the University of California system. He has served as Deputy and Interim Director of the Institute of Integrative Genome Biology; Director of the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Cell, Molecular, and Development Biology; Director of the Center for Vector Research; Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee; Divisional Dean of Life Sciences; and Chair of the Senate Committee on Planning and Budget.
Atkinson’s work internationally includes serving on various Research Coordination Committees of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aimed at developing molecular biological approaches that would augment the efficacy of ionizing radiation-based methods for pest insect control.
Atkinson’s research focuses on developing and implementing genetic control strategies in pest insects. These area-wide strategies provide environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of conventional approaches. His work identified new transposable elements which were used to introduce genetic sequences into pest insects, such as mosquitoes, as well as into human cell culture. CRISPR-based technology now provides the specificity needed to generate targeted changes to pest insect genomes and so has been transformative in its application to genetic control approaches. Atkinson has joined with colleagues within CNAS to extend genetic control strategies into sap-feeding insect pests of agriculture, notably whiteflies, which are a global pest, and glassy-winged sharpshooters, an invasive pest of California.
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