Big Fleas Have Little Fleas:
How Discoveries of Invertebrate Diseases Are Advancing Modern
Science
Elizabeth W. Davdison
University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 2006; 208 pp.
ISBN: 0-8165-2612-5 (cloth, $35.00)
0-8165-2544-7 (paper, $17.95)
The title of the book is paraphrased from a poem by
Jonathan Swift and refers to the fact that sooner or later, every
living thing gets sick. In this context, Davidson links many of the
accomplishments in invertebrate pathology to subsequent successes in
the larger scientific community, particularly with regard to human
health and welfare. Various histories of the study of disease in
invertebrates have been written, but the presentations have usually
been somewhat dry and itemized. Davidson’s book, on the other hand,
chronicles the discoveries and developments in invertebrate
pathology in an informative, entertaining style.
The book is divided into 15 chapters and a section on
suggested readings. Each chapter is illustrated with historical and
scientific photographs and micrographs. Chapter 1 covers early
observations on insect disease and the seminal discovery by Agostino
Bassi that disease in an animal (silkworm) was caused by an
infectious agent, the fungus Beauveria bassiana. Bassi has
since been credited by many historians, including Davidson, with
being the father of the “germ theory” of disease.
Also covered in this chapter is the initial work of Louis Pasteur on
silkworm disease. Both Bassi and Pasteur went on to solve complex
problems regarding the cause and cure of several human diseases.
The subsequent chapters span the time between
Pasteur’s developments until the present and include the discovery
and development of several microbial agents (viruses, bacteria,
fungi) and nematodes (entomopathogenic and parasitic species) for
classical and augmentative biological control of a variety of insect
pests in agriculture and human health (covered in seven of the
chapters); advances in invertebrate immunity; the Baculovirus gene
expression system and its many important uses; the development of
the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay; diseases of edible
marine invertebrates; the link between cholera and crustaceans;
honey bee diseases; insects and their symbiotic microorganisms. The
final chapter and timeline tie the stories in the previous chapters
together with other scientific discoveries and developments.
Some terminology and taxonomy should be corrected before using them
in lectures. For example, instead of nuclear polyhedrosis virus and
granulosis virus, the terms nucleopolyhedrovirus and granulovirus
are now used. The Microsporidia are referred to as protozoans in
Chapters 1 and 13; they have recently been placed with the fungi.
Codling moth is referred to Carpocapsa pomonella; it is now
called Cydia pomonella.
It will also be of use to scientists with interests in entomology,
parasitology and other fields and to those of us who refer to
ourselves as invertebrate pathologists. Colleagues who use their
first lectures in invertebrate pathology to recount the history of
our discipline can use the book to add entertaining facts and links
to subsequent scientific advancements. In addition to historical
accounts, the book provides examples of how sharing ideas and
technology among scientific fields can lead to rapid advances in
science. The book also will be of interest to the public whose
background and curiosity in science run deeper than the average
reader’s.
Considering the price, the book can be an easily affordable addition
to the libraries of scientists and the public.
Lawrence
A. Lacey
USDA–ARS–YARL
5230 Konnowac Pass Rd.
Wapato,
WA 98951
llacey@yarl.ars.usda.gov
American Entomology
Vol. 53, No. 2, Summer 2007
