Insects exhibit incredible physiological diversity, making them ideal model organisms for the purpose of this book. The authors draw together the central issues in physiology (nutrition, water balance, temperature, etc.), treating each in sufficient detail to give researchers a broad update in summary form, as well as senior students a feel for current work in the field. In addition, they examine patterns in physiological variation, and go on to explore the mechanisms underlying this variation as well as the ecological and evolutionary consequences.