Heritage Eaters: Insects and Fungi in Heritage Collections

***NEW TO MANEY IN 2007*** Insect pests and fungi can threaten heritage collections no matter where they are stored, whether it be in a large public museum or in a private home. In order to identify a specific problem, eliminate it and prevent it occurring again, it is necessary to understand the interrelationship of three components: the materials of the heritage objects, the environment of the objects and aspects of the biology of the insect pests and fungi. This book presents this essential information. Insects under discussion include the cosmopolitan common museum or household pests and some species specific to special geographical locations. The fungi discussed are cosmopolitan airborne fungi which cause surface damage and those which cause specific internal deterioration of materials such as wood, paper and textiles. The materials include mainly biodegradable materials, i.e. proteins and carbohydrates, of heritage objects of human history and natural history collections. Environments considered range from complex air-conditioned buildings to simple temperature-controlled homes. Museum, archival and heritage-site staff and owners of private collections will find this book of great value in enabling them to make informed decisions in the prevention and eradication of fungal and insect problems. 'La doyenne of the conservators of biological materials has produced an eminently readable, clear and apposite volume ... Get this book! Mary-Lou Florian has done it again' Quill 'An excellent working tool for museum conservators' ICCROM Newsletter 'Should be read by all conservators and on the shelf of every museum and library ... I most strongly recommend it to all involved in conservation' The Archaeologist Contents • Environmental parameters: their relevance in fungal and insect activity • Classification, naming and diagnostic features of common insect heritage eaters • Exoskeleton and moulting • The tracheal system • The insect egg • The larva: the eating machine • The pupa • Nymphs and their adults: environmental indicator species • The adult: trapping and monitoring • The insect infestation: finding, bagging, eradicating and clean-up • Insect eradication methods • Integrated insect pest control (IIPC) programme • Life cycle of conidial fungi • The sources of fungal conidia contamination on artifact materials • The conidium • Environmental factors in museums and homes which influence germination and vegetative growth of fungi • The fungal infestation • Eradication and control of fungal activity • Summary of fungal activity, prevention, collection recovery, preparedness and some disasters