Medical Entomology - 2nd Edition by B F Eldridge & J D Edman

Book Synopsis

The subject of medical entomology contin- factors such as insecticide susceptibility, vec- ues to be of great importance. Arthropodborne tor competence, host preference and similar im- diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue portant phenomena. Now, a variety of new and filariasis continue to cause considerable methods are available to study genes, and to human suffering and death. Problems in ani- genetically alter important characteristics in mal production, wildlife and pets of humans vectors as a potential means of controlling hu- caused by arthropods still exact a large eco- man and animal diseases. nomic toll. In the past 2 decades, the invasion Many of the traditional tasks of medical en- of exotic pests and pathogens has presented tomologists continue to be important. Arthro- new problems in several countries, including pod systematics is important because the need the USA. For example, the year 1999 saw the for accurate identification of arthropods is vital invasion of the eastern USA by Aedes japonicus, to an understanding of natural disease cycles. an Asian mosquito, and West Nile virus, a mos- Systematics has been made even more challeng- quito-transmitted African arbovirus related to ing because of the current appreciation of the St. Louis encephalitis virus. number of groups of sibling species among vec- At the same time old and new health prob- tors of important disease pathogens. New mo- lems with arthropods occur, the traditional ap- lecular tools are assisting in separating these proaches to arthropod control have become forms.

Review Quotes

This is a very welcome publication that should find awide readership; there are no competing books that cover the subjectsof medical and veterinary entomology so well.'Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 95:1 (2001)...it is written in a readable and easily intelligiblelanguage. This is especially important for students for whose mothertongue is not English. In fact this book is one of the best textbooksI have ever read. I have no doubt this book will become the standardtextbook in medical entomology not only in the United States andEnlgish-speaking countries but all over the world.'European Journal of Entomology, 98:150 (2001)This reviewer find Eldridge and Edman's "MedicalEntomology" the most attractive for students in terms of price, quality fo publication, organization and writing style, and thepowerful assemblage of authors (most of the current authorities in thefield of medical entomology in the United States). Other textbookshave their strengths and target audiences. For advanced students, thisis the most complete book currently available.'Journal of Medical Entomology