Abstract
Even defining ‘an insect’ can be difficult! But any understanding of their massive variety must start from a clear picture of the basic structural template that forms the foundation for any such definition and later diversification. That progressive differentiation has taken place through adaptive modification of almost any structure present, and defining that body plan is vital in distinguishing true insects from other animals.
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Further Reading
The first three references below are to entomology texts of varying complexity, and provide more formal information on insect structure and biology. The next two are amongst several well-illustrated guides to insect recognition and biology in Australia. The last is a major, indispensable, source of information on published knowledge on Australian insects
CSIRO (1991) The insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne (The most comprehensive, two-volume, text on Australian insects)
Gullan PJ, Cranston PS (2010) The insects. An outline of entomology, 4th edn. Wiley/Blackwell, Oxford (Latest edition of a very successful general entomology text)
(Note that various chapters of either of the above are valuable ‘further reading’ to most chapters of the current book)
New TR (1996) Name that insect. A guide to the insects of southeastern Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne (An introduction to the regional fauna)
Brunet B (2010) Australian insects: a natural history. French’s Forest, New Holland
Zborowski P, Storey R (2010) A field guide to insects in Australia. French’s Forest, New Holland
Daniels G (2004) Bibliography of Australian entomology, 1687–2000 (2 volumes). Privately published, Mt Ommaney
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New, T.R. (2011). The Basic Insect Pattern: Theme and Variations. In: ‘In Considerable Variety’: Introducing the Diversity of Australia’s Insects. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1780-0_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1780-0_1
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