Book and Book Chapters

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https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/319

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Browsing Book and Book Chapters by Author "Opiro, Robert"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Introductory entomology
    (Springer Nature, 2026-05-01) Opoke, Robert; Opiro, Robert
    Entomology, which literally means the scientific study of insects and their natural world, comprises multiple disciplines, including biology, ecology, agriculture, medicine, and forensic science. Insects are the most diverse and abundant group of animals on earth, and they are essential to the functioning of all ecosystems, through, for instance, processes such as pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. They are a major food source for many species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This chapter aims to provide a fundamental understanding of insect biology, behavior, taxonomy, and their ecological importance. It encompasses insect classification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and interactions with the environment, including humans. Knowledge of entomology is crucial in managing both beneficial and detrimental insect populations to promote sustainable agricultural production, biodiversity conservation, and animal health. Entomological knowledge is also critical for understanding the impacts of climate change on insect populations and their interactions with the environment.
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    Management of insect and other arthropod parasites and vectors of human diseases
    (Springer Nature, 2026-05-01) Owino, Eunice A.; Ajamma, Yvonne Ukamaka; Mburu, David; Opoke, Robert; Opiro, Robert; Dugassa, Sisay
    This chapter provides a thorough overview of the management of insects and other arthropod parasites and vectors of human diseases. It covers key insect vectors in the orders: Diptera (mosquitoes, black flies, tsetse flies, sand flies, biting midges, horse flies, house flies, blow flies, flesh flies, and bot flies), Hemiptera (kissing bugs), Siphonaptera (fleas), Phthiraptera (lice), and noninsect orders: Arachnida (ticks and mites) and Crustacea (copepods). Each section details the taxonomy, morphology, life cycles, ecological roles, and disease transmission mechanisms of the vectors while emphasizing their public health and economic impacts. Notable diseases include malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, Lyme disease, and plague. The chapter also discusses and emphasizes the importance of integrated vector management interventions to limit population bionomics and linked pathogen transmissions. In summary, it underscores the need for ongoing research and coordinated efforts to reduce the global burden of arthropod-borne diseases.