This two-volume book presents an up-to-date account of armored scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididas), a family of highly specialized insects, many of which are important agricultural pests. Being sedentary, colonial and rather cryptic, many species have invaded new countries with important host plants. This has made them prime targets for biological control by natural enemies.

No other book has attempted to present such a rounded picture of this important group. It covers all aspects: morphology, systematics, phylogeny, biology, ecology, natural enemies (pathogens, predators, parasites), pest status, control measures (quarantine, eradication, monitoring, chemical control, biological control, mechanical control, integrated control), as well as pest problems and control on specific crops, from a worldwide perspective.

The armored scale insects: their morphology, systematics and phylogeny; reproductive biology and genetics; development biology and physiology; ecology; and techiques for their study is handled in Volume A.

The natural enemies of armored scale insects, and with their damage and control: pathogens; predators; parasites; hyperparasites; ecology and efficacy of natural enemies; techniques; economic importance; quarantine; eradication; forecasting and monitoring infestations; chemical control; biological control; mechanical control; integrated pest management; pest problems and control in specific crops is dealt with in Volume B.

The book is intended for a broad audience: professional entomologists, extension specialists, pest control operators and advanced horticulturists and agriculturists, as well as biologists, naturalists and environmentalists (the latter should find the strong emphasis on natural enemies and biological control of interest).