The forests of West Africa are complex, beautiful and under continued threat of over exploitation. This monograph, in its second edition, remains the only comprehensive source of information on economically important forest insects in West Africa. Many pest insects discussed in this book have the potential to greatly alter the utilization of these valuable tropical forests. Several key pests such as mahogany shoot borer, odum gallfly and pests of endangered tree species like Pericopsis, are extensively discussed. This comprehensive treatise of insects includes information on the general forest cover types and insects of utilitarian value. The book will be a great value to foresters, forest entomologists, researchers, conservation biologists and others with a basic biological interest in West Africa forests.
Zusammenfassung
It is indeed an honour for me to write the foreword to the second edition of Forest Entomology in West Tropical Africa: Forest Insects of Ghana. Originally co- thored by Professor Michael R. Wagner, Dr. S.K.N. Atuahene, and Dr. Joseph R. Cobbinah, the authorship now includes Dr. Paul P. Bosu, who replaces Dr. Atuahene of blessed memory (may his soul rest in perfect peace). In the preface to the first e- tion the authors stated their motivation for writing in these words: We have written this book with the practicing forester and forest entomologist in mind. I am c- vinced beyond any doubt that the book has been, and continues to be, of immense benefit to the targeted audience. Over the course of the last 16 years, since the publication of the maiden edition in 1991, there have been tremendous changes in the science and practice of forest entomology in West Africa. Research has improved significantly and the volume of literature on the subject has also increased severalfold. The biology, ecology, and management of major insects for which very little was known nearly two decades ago have now been studied. At the same time, collaboration among forest entom- ogists and other scientists of West Africa improved significantly and greatly enhanced the science and practice of forest entomology in the subregion. The healthy development would greatly facilitate management of pest outbreaks, which invariably are not limited by national boundaries.
Inhalt
Forest Entomology in Ghana.- Defoliating Insects.- Sap-Feeding Insects.- Wood Borers of Living Trees.- Pests of Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds.- Pests of Logs, Lumber, and Forest Products.- Termites.- Utilitarian Use of Forest Insects.