Book excerpt: The aim of this book is to provide up-to-date comprehensive reviews of critical areas in entomological research. Twelve research topics are discussed that examine aspects of insect physiology, toxicology, and molecular biology that other recent books on entomological research have not completely addressed. The book is expected to be of interest for not only the researchers, graduate students, and scientists who are currently working or plan to work in this field, but also for those who are not as familiar with entomological research but are nonetheless fascinated by the complexity of the physiological processes that allow insects to interact with their hosts, pathogens, and environments. This book could never have been accomplished without the hard work put in by the chapter authors, whose energy and enthusiasm for entomology are clear in their writing. It takes an enormous amount of time to write such fascinating, thought-provoking and comprehensive reviews of current research, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our authors for their magnificent contributions. I am also grateful to the publisher, Research Signpost, for the chance to work with these excellent researchers and to tell the world about the research that we believe is so important. Finally, I wish to give my special thanks to Dr. Jeffery G. Scott for igniting my passionate interest in insecticide resistance research when I was a Ph.D. student in his laboratory at Cornell University. This passion has served me well, guiding my research, and stimulating my intellect over the years.