Insects on Dock Plants

This book deals with docks and sorrels, members of the genus Rumex. There are 13 species native to the British Isles (Kent, 1992)*. Many of these have a world-wide distribution and some are considered major weeds. A high proportion of the insect species associated with Rumex are specialists in that they are restricted to the genus, or at least to the small family (Polygonaceae) to which the plants belong. This may be because the plants tend to have high levels of calcium oxalate in their tissues which may protect them from many generalist feeders. Insects which can feed on dock are of special interest because of their potential as biological control agents.

In this book we have brought together information on those insect species which have a special association with Rumex and also some common generalists which may be found feeding on the plants. We have also included the important insect predators and parasitoids of the herbivores, many of which have themselves a close association with the food plant. In all we include in the identification keys over 60 species of insects. Many of these are common and widespread but their relative abundance will vary from year to year and from place to place. We do not include casual visitors to the plants nor other invertebrates such as mites and slugs, although Key 11 will help in the recognition of these groups. The majority of the species of insects listed can be found on Rumex obtusifolius and R. crispus, though some, particularly amongst the weevils and aphids, are specialists on the smaller Rumex species. In the first part of the book we introduce the species of Rumex and some common and easily studied insect species, and we consider how the insects and plants interact.

In the second part of the book are keys for the identification of species of Rumex and insects which are likely to be found on them.

Author: Salt & Whittaker
Publisher: Richmond Publishing
Extra Details: Pictorial Card Covers 6 x 9 inches tall.56 Pages. Illustrated with colour plates and line drawings. NEW BOOK