University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

Caterpillars are excellent model organisms for understanding how multiple selective forces shape the ecology and evolution of insects, and organisms in general. Recent research using the tools of modern molecular biology, genetics. metabolomics, microbial ecology, experiments conducted at a global level, network analysis, and statistical analysis of global data sets, combined with basic natural history, are yielding exciting new insights into caterpillar adaptations and ecology. The best way to view these research advances is within a framework of tri-trophic interactions. This is a timely topic for research given the central role of caterpillars and plants in the ecology and trophic structure of terrestrial communities. This book is unique in that it contains chapters from a team of experts on a diversity of key topics within caterpillar-plant interactions. This volume brings together contributions by researchers from around the globe, working in both tropical and temperate habitats, and in human-managed and more natural habitats. It is significant contribution to our understanding of insect biology, and the role that insects, as represented by caterpillars, play in a world increasingly dominated by humans and one in which threats to insect biodiversity are mounting.

Introduction- Caterpillars as focal study organisms -- On Being a caterpillar: Structure, Function, Ecology and Behavior -- Impacts of the first trophic level on caterpillar ecology and evolution -- Surface warfare: Plant Structural Defenses Challenge Caterpillar Feeding -- Impacts of Plant Defenses on Host Choice by Lepidoptera in Neotropical Rainforests -- Ecology and Evolution of Secondary Compound Detoxification Systems in Caterpillars -- Sequestered Caterpillar Chemical Defenses: From "Disgusting Morsels" to Model Systems -- Impacts of the Third Trophic Level on Caterpillar Ecology and Evolution -- Acoustic Defence Strategies in Caterpillars -- Natural History and Ecology of Caterpillar Parasitoids -- Predators and Caterpillar Diet Breadth : Appraising the Enemy-Free Space Hypothesis -- Caterpillar Responses to Ant Protectors of Plants -- The Natural History of Caterpillar-Ant Association -- Multiple Interactive Effects Among All Three Trophic Levels -- Caterpillars, Plant Chemistry, and Parasitoids in Natural vs. Agroecosystems -- Host Plant effects on the Caterpillar Immune Response -- Trophic Interactions of Caterpillars in the Seasonal Environment of the Brazilian Cerradoand Their importance in the face of climate change -- The impact of construct building by caterpillars on Arthropod Colonists in a World of Climate Change -- Caterpillar Foodwebs in a World of Rapidly Changing Climate -- Caterpillar Patterns in space and time: Insights from and contrasts between two citizen science datasets -- Impact of climatic variability and hurricanes on caterpillar diet breadth and plant-herbivore interaction networks -- Plant-Caterpillar-Parasitoid Natural History Studies Over Decades and Across Large Geographic Gradients Provide Insight into Specialization, Interaction Diversity, and Global Change -- Synthesis -- Synopsis and the future of caterpillar research -- Subject index -- Taxonomic index.