David Rees, ed
CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood Victoria, Australia, 2004
190 pp., $64.95 (soft cover
ISBN 0-643-06903-8

Insects of Stored Productsis certainly a welcome addition to the literature on stored-product pests, particularly for those dealing with the applied aspects of insect control. With vibrant photos, most of which were taken and edited by Vanna Rangsi, this paperback book should be a must for every stored-product entomologist, whether a researcher, sanitarian, or an urban pest control technician. With few practical reference monographs describing the identification and behavior of these pests, this book will probably get dog-eared from use in short order.

This book is impressive in its thorough approach to identification of the various stored product pests. Differences between species are clearly described and illustrated with the color plates. Arrows point out morphological differences, and because the photos are so clear and the insects so well oriented, the viewer has no trouble understanding the morphology being illustrated. Included with each insect family or species described is a brief statement on its life cycle and natural history. Each group described is followed by a list of references that will give the reader more detailed information. David Rees organized the book into two basic groups, the coleopterans and the lepidopterans. Other insects are listed, but for stored-product entomologists, Rees' organization is a logical division of the subject matter. Rees omitted Blattodea (cockroaches) and Thysanura (silverfish), which would have been especially helpful to technicians working in food preparation and storage facilities in urban settings. I assume Rees chose to omit these insect orders because they are not strictly considered stored-product insects, but urban insects. However, because this book will be widely used by urban entomologists or technicians as well as stored-product entomologists, it would have increased the appeal of the book if they had been included.

A nice feature of the book is the simple keys included with each group or family of insects to differentiate them. Each key can be followed easily without referring back to an entomological dictionary. In addition to differentiating the insects within a group, Rees has given distribution tables for each species and their relative importance as a stored-product pest. Two indices are included: one index by scientific name and one index by common name. These indices make it very easy to find the species in which the reader is interested. The book also gives the Internet addresses of several governmental and international institutions dealing with stored-product insects so that the latest research that is being conducted on a pest and its host commodities can be accessed.

David Rees has provided a much needed pictorial key to the stored-product insects of the world. His book is concise, but it gives enough information to research a problem and tells the reader where to find further information. This book would make a very nice text for students beginning to study stored-product insects or for those involved in the pest management business dealing with stored commodities. As a researcher, I find this book very helpful in the quick identification of stored-product insects and will greatly cherish my copy, recommending it those beginning or established in the field of stored-product entomology.

Jim LeeschCommodity Protection & Quality Research Unit
 USDA-ARS-SJVASC
Parlier, CA
E-mail: jleesch@fresno.ars.usda.gov

Journal of Economic Entomology
Vol. 99, No. 1, February 2006, Page 251