Book Description

Whether you are a novice or experienced collector, student, farmer, or weekend gardener, you will find Simon & Schuster's Guide to Insects a highly authoritative, startlingly beautiful field guide to 350 insect species commonly found throughout North America.

The introduction to the text explains the anatomy and behaviors of these amazingly diverse creatures, as well as the easiest, most efficient manner in which to preserve and mount your insect collection. Each entry is stunningly complemented by one or more color photographs and contains information about the habitat, distribution, length, recognition marks, and other pertinent details concerning the particular species. A three-part visual key provides instantaneous identification of the insect's primary activity, its habitat, and its ecological significance. This is an indispensable reference tool for anyone fascinated by the insect world. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent insect field guide
This guide is awesome, pictures and illustrations are from very high quality, I found this guide comparable to those guides from Audubon.

Two illustration of insects come on left page, and on the right page you have the theorical info, so It easy to read and look at the picture at the same time. Insects are very easy to find, theyre grouped in orders, and by similitudes of course.

This is a must have for any insect enthusiast, no mether if a begginer or if an expert on this field.

It is very complete.

Great for the Casual Nature Fan
Great general reference guide with photos by renowned insect photographer Dr. Edward Ross. A well done eighty-three page introduction covers such topics as classification, anatomy, behavior and collecting. Not for real die hards as the number of species is limited. Great though for students, naturalists, nature photographers and others interested in a good general introduction that uses top quality photography.

An invaluable quick reference guide for organic gardeners!
It would be impossible for any single book to be a total guide (and I have many!), but this book has EXCELLENT photographs - which is especially helpful with hemiptera (true bugs), since there is a shortage of identifying guides for them. I not only found photos of insects that I (and my county ag agent) had been unable to identify, this book is wonderfully keyed to indicate whether insects are beneficials, pests, neutral, etc. This "at a glance" keying (by color, symbols and single alpha's) is very helpful for gardeners since most books do not give good information on what insects eat (a predator can develop into a pest as an adult, and vice versa), etc., but rather only provide physical identification information. Organic gardeners can frequently find information only on the worst (most common) pests, and may live in areas where they have worst pests that are not indigenous elsewhere, or identification of the most common predators, that may not be universally common. The author give life histories and other valuable information frequently lacking in "identification" books. Scientific names are provided for the more serious reader - and to help in identifying similiar insects in more complete but poorly illustrated books. Because of the beautiful photos, it would be a good "beginner book" for a budding entomologist too! This book is a real bargain! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A sense of wonder
I picked up this book in a store and bought it out of idle curiousity, as I am neither an entomologist, biologist or beekeeper. Its content amazed me and spurred me to return to reading general interest science books, an area I had largely shunned after leaving university.

Apart from the fascinating content, the book wins because of the author's superb style. While sacrificing nothing in the way of content (at least to this nonspecialist's eye) he never indulged in technical jargon, making the book accessible to any interested person. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is mainly directed towards postgraduate students andprofessionals in the field of research and implementation ofintegrated pest and disease management programmes in greenhouse crops.After presenting the major pests and diseases that affect greenhousevegetable and ornamental crops, several chapters deal with the toolsfor designing and implementing IP&DM in protected cultivation withparticular emphasis on biological control. Current implementation andthe future of IP&DM in the most important protected crops world-wideare presented in the concluding chapters. Protected cultivation is practised in many hundreds of thousands ofhectares throughout the world under quite different social, economicand technical conditions. Contributions to the book reflect such adiversity of situations: from the high-technology glasshouses ofnorthern Europe and America to the simple plastic tunnels of theMediterranean area and temperate eastern Asia. Furthermore, theeditors have entrusted each chapter to authors whose activity andperspectives could be complementary: pathologists and entomologists,from private and public sectors, and from differentiated geographicalregions. Probably no book published to date has offered such a diverseyet integrated approach to pest and disease control in greenhousecrops. The book originated from an international course taught at theInternational Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies inZaragoza, Spain. The authors are specialists from universities,research institutions and companies in Europe, America, Asia, Africaand Oceania. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Almost every murder has literally millions of witnesses, but their only testimony is a maddening buzz. Speaking for the insects is forensic entomologist M. Lee Goff, who relates some of the secrets of his young profession in A Fly for the Prosecution. Equal parts scientific and true-crime journalism, the book reports unflinchingly on the development of this field as an important adjunct to traditional means of investigation. Based on our constantly improving knowledge of the reproduction and growth of carrion flies and beetles, an informed examiner can determine the time and location of death with great precision, often lending the final evidence needed to close a case. Goff has been at the forefront of forensic entomology and has worked closely with Hawaiian law enforcement for many years, yielding a rich assortment of crime stories to illustrate his research. Readers need a strong stomach to take the macabre details of some of the murders; fortunately for those at the borderline, all the excellent illustrations depict insects rather than their meals. Goff also explores how we came to the knowledge we have today, including the meticulous field research of the 19th century and the modern decomposition studies with pigs in a wide variety of environments and conditions. You might never need the knowledge, but reading A Fly for the Prosecution will at least satisfy your curiosity by telling you what the blowfly saw. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Autobiographical explanation of forensic entomology
Goff is a forensic entomologist, basically someone who figures out how long someone has been dead by the insects on, in, or under the body. The book is a tale both historical and technical about the subject: historical in that it provides many examples of his work over the years, and technical in that he provides a good overview of just what he's looking for-which insects he expects to appear at what time.

His style is clear and frequently understated, as when he relates that some of his colleagues were somewhat put out when it was found that one of his labs did not vent to the outside as it was supposed to.

Anyhow, this is a fascinating if somewhat grisly read about an unusual but surprisingly significant subject. Just don't read it when you're eating!

Sherlock Holmes Would Love This Book!
This book is required reading for mystery writers, because it contains unlimited new material for creating better mysteries. Mystery readers will enjoy it too, as they sense new elements of potential complexity for future novels in the genre. Sherlock Holmes loved to read monographs, just like this one.

I do suggest that those who are easily upset by the details of death avoid this book. Although the pictures are not graphic (except as drawings about various insects), the descriptions of the murder victims and what the insects do to them are quite graphic. There was a good reason, after all, why many of the original English murder mysteries had the murder and the investigation of the body occur outside the main line of the story.

If you like forensic detection (such as occurs in the Cornwell and Elkins mysteries), this will be right up your alley.

Forensic entomologists observe what insects are present (and their state of development) to determine time of death and the time when the body was put into its current location. They can also sometimes tell something about where the body has been before.

There are a lot of variables, such as temperature, humidity, where the body is, whether it is covered or not, and so forth. Dr. Goff describes his many experiments with animal carcasses to find out how these factors affect the results.

The book is half science, and half cases that Dr. Goff and others have worked on where these principles have been applied.

In the future, the insects may even be sources of DNA data to help identify the guilty party.

You will also get a sense of how this evolving science came into being, what it is like to serve as a consulting expert in the field, and the strains of being an expert witness in trials.

With the help of these insects, though, justice will be done more often. That is something we should all be glad about, as well as the fact that there are scientists willing to take on these grisly, smelly chores for our society. Well done, Dr. Goff!

This book is an excellent example of the benefits of overcoming the Ugly Duckling stall: Avoiding the unattractive by assuming that it is worthless. After you finish reading this excellent book, I suggest you also consider where unattractive activities can yield valuable clues for improving your organization. For example, what does the waste look like that you throw away? Have you looked at it lately? If not, you may be surprised. You will get ideas for how to avoid the waste by knowing what to work on, and you will also know what the potential savings are. Where else can you look that everyone sees, but no one concentrates on?

A True Forensic Lover's Dee-Light
A wonderful triumph for M. Lee Goff! Yet another forensic masterpiece that I did not want to end. His comforting, empathetic, thorough coverage of the material was engrossing and tantalizing. I hope he will grace us with another treasure such as this. His success is well worth the "gross-out" factor (others - not moi). Very readable and yet mesmorizing.

a "must read" in the category
This book succeeds at all levels. He has hard science a layperson can follow. He has history as he was in on the process of forensic entymology becoming a recognized field. He has case histories. He has thoughts on being a forensic entymologist. ("I know a life can be radically changed, even ended by my testimony.") And he has funny parts (really) that you can buttonhole your family to read to them aloud. Goff seems an honorable and compassionate man. I want to read his thoughts. I've read any number of books on forensic science for the lay reader so it isn't often anymore that I learn so much new. I had not read one on bugs before and recommend this one with enthusiasm.

Don't Read It While Eating!
I initially picked up the book after an interview Dr. Goff gave on NPR's Fresh Air piqued my interest. The book is at once a macabre and fascinating read. Dr. Goff succeeds in being detached while relating some very sordid, horrifying accounts in a very easy to read fashion. My only mistake was reading this book while eating at a Japanese restaurant. Rest assured, like me, after reading this book, you will never look at flies, or food, the same way again (even now, I often wonder where flies I see about have previously been before).

Part true crime, part science fact, this book sheds light on an interesting, growing, and increasingly important area of criminology. Similar in fashion to the techniques depicted in the book, The Silence of the Lambs, this book gives an in-depth treatment of the way insects have been used not only to determine the time of death, but also solve crimes.

I found the history of the field of forensic entomology, which easily goes back some one hundred years, to be quite fascinating. Dr. Goff also relates to the reader some of the ways fly larvae can potentially be used for the benefit of the living, such as the medicinal uses of wound cleaning and anti-coagulant properties of larvae.

Moreover, I was also touched by the compassion Dr. Goff has for the victims, both living and dead, of violent crime. To do the kind of work he does requires a certain amount of cold detachment (otherwise many could not do it), yet Dr. Goff never forgets that the victims were once human beings. As such, though he has understandably been the subject of more than a few TV dramas, he himself does not try to sensationalize his work. In addition to relating the horrific and sordid, he also gives the reader a hefty dose of the mundane, tedious, and frustrating, as he relates the red tape involved in doing his experiments and the often annoying complications of being involved in all facets of a murder investigation.

This is a fascinating read. Dr. Goff has so captivated me that I am thinking of enrolling in the forensic entomology class offered at UC Davis in the spring, if my stomach can stand it! ... Read more

Book Description

Bioinvasion is fast becoming one of the world's most costly ecological problems, as it disrupts agriculture, drastically alters ecosystems, spreads disease, and interferes with shipping. The economic and environmental damages from alien plant, animals, and microbes in the United States, British Isles, Australia, South Africa, India, and Brazil account for more than $300 billion per year in damages and control costs. Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbe Species assembles detailed information on components of the invasive-species problem from six continents. This volume reconfirms the diverse and unpredictable roles that non-native species assume as they invade new ecosystems: destruction of vital crops and forests, major damages to ecosystems leading to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and water loss. In addition, it covers the impact of disease organisms on human health and livestock. Information is provided on how the non-native species invade new ecosystems and the subsequent environmental effects of these invading species. Wherever possible, estimates on the economic impacts of the invading species are included.Alien species invasions will continue to be an on-going problem in the future given human population growth, its increased needs, and its movement throughout the world. Biological Invasions will inform scientists, policymakers, and the public on the seriousness of non-native species invasions that cause extinction as well as significant costs to the environment, economy, and public health.About the Editor:David Pimentel is well respected worldwide for a life of work in the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. His research and consulting accomplishments cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Dr. Pimentel has served on numerous Presidential Commissions and National Academy of Sciences' Committees and Boards. He has authored nearly 600 scientific publications, written two books, and edited 20 books. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first time that a single book has attempted tocover the whole of the fossil history of insects so comprehensively.The volume embraces the history of insect palaeontology, methods forstudying fossils, the taphonomic processes leading to their formation,the diagnostic features of all insect orders, both extant and extinct,the major fossils of each order, and the implications that can bedrawn from the palaeoentomological record about past ecology andclimates. Many new insights are presented. It is the product principally of the largest palaeoentomological groupin the world, in Moscow, and makes full use of the remarkablecollection that these workers have developed. It includes a very largenumber of illustrations showing both real fossils and reconstructionsof extinct taxa. The systematic part is treated in a phylogeneticframework, with information on fossil groups being used to helpinterpret relationships. An appendix provides information on virtuallyall sites where fossil insects have been found. This book is essentialto all students of palaeoentomology and contains a wealth ofinformation that will be of interest to students of insectevolutionary relationships and of palaeontology in general. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pretty to Look At
As a biologist, I get my fill of technical language and new terminology. This book is a welcome blend of art, history, and bugs. The reproductions are very well done and I was suprised at the number and variety of sketch-like prints that were included.

Would make a nice gift for a friend who is curious about the natural world.

Nice overview
Great drawings throughout the book. Its technical (as expected from the title being anatomy) but not so technical that you feel like its a lecture. One thing I especially like is that in the descriptions of the insects there is interesting "trivia" that makes this a fun read. Here's a quick excerpt: "the bombardier beetle emits a puff of a volatile chemical, followed by a popping sound, thereby giving it its name. Early naturalists likened this form of defense to humans' use of gunfire."

authoritative without being overly scientific
The Anatomy of Insects admitedly only scratches the surface of entomology, but what it covers is done in exquisite detail. The book begins with a primer on insect anatomy before broadly covering the taxonomy of the major insect orders of beatles, wasps (including bees and ants) termites (including dragonflies and mayflies), butterflies, moths, fleas (and flies), grasshoppers (and crickets), stick insects (including mantises and cockroaches), and spiders.

There is little specific information about each species, but plenty of general information about the order, and enough detail to give the lay reader (such as myself) a good "feel" for the critters. However, the diagrams and plates of the insects are what drew me to the book.

Many of the pictures are from Victorian era prints, some are more recent etchings, but all are remarkable and beautiful in their own right. (I know, who would have thought of "bugs" as beautiful?) It really is an interesting read, with an excellent biliography for further reading if a specific order or genus strikes your fancy; but the depiction of theses small animals is what makes this book such a treasure. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A brief survey of some otherworldy creatures living on earth
An entire book about beetles, houseflies, worms, moths, and leeches? With an entire chapter on slime eels--aka hagfish--which burrow into dead fish and consume them from the inside out? You bet. As the author points out, the above-named creatures are but a few of the species that belong to the group of animals known as invertebrates, which not only lack a backbone, but also, pound for pound, far outweigh any other form of life on earth. "There are only 4,500 or so mammal species on the planet. There are, however, between ten million and thirty million invertebrate species. They represent more than 99.5 percent of all animal species. A spaceship visiting the blue planet would take them, not us, as the typical earthlings."

And invertebrates are often far more interesting than us boring old mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Take a fire ant queen, for example, who reproduces so wholeheartedly that her human equivalent would be a 120-pound woman giving birth to 500,000 babies each year. Or how about the mysterious giant squid--at sixty feet long and with eyes the size of headlights, the largest invertebrate alive--who lives five hundred fathoms beneath the ocean waves. (Nobody has ever seen one in its natural habitat.)

So who's the audience? Any adult with a taste for the more slithery residents of earth--or any parents who want to wow their own offspring with bizarre true-life tales of the scaly and slimy. (Twelve-year-olds on up, or ten-year-olds with a deep curiosity for all things gross, should have no trouble with it, either.

an ode to invertebrates
There is more to the world of nature than cuddly koalas, magnificent whales, and beautifully singing birds. Most of the animal kingdom, and much of the biomass on the planet, are invertebrates! Insects, spiders, centipedes, molluscs, crustaceans, echnioderms, worms, all greatly outnumber vertebrates and are absolutely vital to continued life on earth, and all are greatly unappreciated by the average person.

Richard Conniff takes us on a representative tour of several members of the invertebrate world. Though he only scratches the surface, he shows us some of the most fascinating of the "creepy crawlies," creatures that often have few admirers in the media or popular culture. From the fascinating world of flies to the invaluable leech to the hated fire ant to beetles, fleas, and giant squid and beyond, Conniff shows us the astounding world of invertebrates.

Strictly speaking, Conniff includes one vertebrate in the mix, the lowly but extremely unusual hagfish, so it is not only invertebrates. Having said that though this was an excellent book, one well worth reading. Popular science writing at its best.

Beach Reading for Geeks
Contained in this book are tales of things like leeches, moths, and an assortment of other spineless creatures. Each chapter is devoted to one such creature. Coniff is good writer, easy to read, and engaging. That being said he makes the perfect author to turn rather grim subjects into light reads. So while you're camping out this summer and swatting mosquitos you can read this book and marvel at the sheer amount of mosquito species out there and wonder which one is sucking your blood.

Book everyone needs to read.
Richard Conniff's writing style is fun and easy to read. And although some of the facts he pours into the book may be gross, it's so interesting you are riveted. I think everyone-science lover or no-needs to read this book. I couldn't put the book down until I was done. Just to give you some extra info on what's in the book-he discusses many invertebrates such as flies, hagfish, moths and tarantulas, devoting a chapter to each invertebrate. He includes his adventures with these creatures along with it. Even the hardened scientist will find something new in this book!

fascinating subject, and the writing is OK
Conniff's book _Spineless Wonders_ had me fascinated, for the most part. His subject: invertebrates, with about ten different chapters on different creatures, such as leeches, dragonflies, tarantulas, etc. NOT ALL POPULAR INVERTEBRATES ARE COVERED IN THIS BOOK. In fact, if there is not a chapter devoted to your favorite invertebrate, there will be little or no information on that beast. There are many examples. Jellyfish, starfish, bees, crabs, clams, octopuses and lobsters are but a few that Conniff chose not to cover.

If you need detailed information about an invertebrate not covered in this book, or if you need more detail, I advise you to seek out a book on that specific beast. Also, you can look into Robert Barnes' book _Invertebrate Zoology_, but that book...is best used at a public or college library.

On the plus side: there aren't many good books on invertebrates for a general audience, and _Spineless Wonders_ is one of them. Most folks, while they might be able to stomach ten or twenty pages on leeches, don't want an entire book on leeches. In fact, most full length books on leeches, dragonflies, etc. are indeed academic tracts targeted at serious collectors or graduate students and professors.

Conniff's writing is usually lucid and entertaining. He held my attention until the end of each chapter... almost. Still, there isn't much popular writing on invertebrates in general, so _Spineless Wonders_ is well worth a look.

ken32 ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My 3 year old loves this book!
We received this book as a hand-me-down with a bunch of other books and my three year old son has singled it out. Not only does he always want us to read this book to him, but its one of the books he reads to himself several times each day. As a result he knows more about beetles than most adults! We are planning to buy him more of these books. We believe that the pictures and overlays are what drew him in, and since the text is simple and straight forward he learns and retains the information. We highly recommend these books.

My two year old loves it!
I have to admit, the four star rating reflects my daughter's love for this book, rather than mine. It's informative and colorful, but frankly, the subject matter is still a little dry. The text is pretty involved for a two year old, yet my two and half year old toddler's attention span for this book is incredible and it has been a favorite for some time now. I'd really like to know specifically what she finds so compelling, simply because I'd like to get more books that have the same appeal but are challenging as well. (I intend to order some of the other discovery books.) It's definitely one of her favorite books, and of course, she knows all about aphids and can tell the difference between a scarab beetle and a colorado potato beetle. And now, so can I!

An excellent introduction of insects to young people
We inherited this book from family, and our 2 year old loves it. She know all about ladybugs, pupa, larva, and aphids. She has spent lots of time looking at the pictures, and she "reads" it to herself some nights (she's memorized most of the words).

GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE YOUR PRESCHOOLERS TO SCIENCE!!!
My 4-year-old daughter loves this book! The pictures and transparencies are very inviting, and the text is easy to follow and informative. Did you know that all insects have 6 legs?? Did you know that ladybugs are yellow at first and then turn red with black dots? My 4 year old can tell you these things as well as what ladybugs eat (answer: aphids). ... Read more

Book Description

Lacewings are predatory insects that attack and kill large numbers of insect pests. Lacewings in the Crop Environment addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of lacewing biology and their use in crop protection. After beginning with a section on lacewing systematics and ecology, the book reviews lacewings as predators in a wide variety of commercially important crops and examines the principles of using lacewings in pest control. The possible impact of genetically modified crops on lacewing populations is also discussed. Finally, a fascinating array of case studies of lacewing use in many crops from around the world is presented, and future uses of lacewings speculated upon. This essential and practical handbook will appeal to students, researchers of biological control, integrated pest management and agricultural science, and field workers using lacewings in pest management programs worldwide. ... Read more

Book Description

Medical and Veterinary Entomology is a comprehensive text and is primarily intended for graduate students and upper level undergraduates studying the medical and veterinary significance of insects and related arthropods. The book will also appeal to a larger audience, specialists and non-specialists alike, including entomologists, parasitologists, biologists, epidemiologists, physicians, public health personnel, veterinarians, wildlife specialists and others looking for a readable, authoritative book on this topic. The first two chapters provide overviews of medical-veterinary entomology and epidemiology, respectively. These are followed by individual chapters devoted to each group of insects or arachnids of medical-veterinary importance and the health problems they can cause including their role as vectors of pathogens. Each of these chapters provides an overview of the taxonomy, biology and ecology of the group, and is followed by separate sections on their medical and veterinary importance, then by a section on prevention and control and, finally, by a list of references and further reading.

Key Features
* Nationally and internationally renowned contributing authors
* Up to date and new information that is easy to locate, with extensive subheadings and highlighted key words throughout text
* Includes extensive coverage of arachnids, including scorpions, solpugids, spiders, mites and ticks
* Designed for teaching several courses including Medical Entomology, Veterinary Entomology or combined Medical-Veterinary Entomology courses ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Look to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise," says the proverb. Bert Hölldobler and E.O. Wilson have joined together to tell how they took this advice and to share the fruits of their wisdom. As Nature said, they "have done for ants what Levi's did for denim." Not just a good-parts version of their magisterial, Pulitzer-winning The Ants, Journey is also a double autobiography--the history of how early enthusiasm developed into an enormously fruitful scientific collaboration. "We, having entered our bug period as children, were blessed by never being required to abandon it," the authors write. Their devotion to their chosen field shines through.

Journey to the Ants gives an outstanding overview of the enormous variety and fascination of myrmecology, from the primitive bulldog ants of Australia to the complexities of weaver ant societies, slave-making ants and agriculture, army ants, and the social parasites concealed within anthills. There is an appendix with practical instructions for collecting individual ants or whole colonies, dead or alive. Hölldobler and Wilson clearly want other children to follow in their footsteps, growing from simple bug love to insights into evolution and society. --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Evolution Throughout
This book is quite a work. Fascinating. The description refers to the Biblical Proverb ""Look to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise"but the book is 100% evolution theory. Everything you could possibly want to know about ants except the spiritual is here. Too bad they missed the spiritual significance. It is on high school level not for children. If you're a Christian homeschooler you can use it for the facts and explain the holes in evolution theory. Easy to water down for younger children.

The best and only book on ants I've ever read
It's like a 200-page nature show. Completely fascinating. The authors are big-time, famous ant guys, and they've written some of the textbooks on ants. This is kind of an Ants for Dummies, or a book for people who just want to know all the cool stuff about ants. It's scary sometimes, the level of sophistication in ant colonies. As a being, one ant is pretty powerless, but ants' social behavior has evolved to rival, in some instances, the ingenuity and organization of early man. This book's probably not for everyone, but if you can watch an hour-long documentary on Animal Planet, you might like this book.

Interesting and fun, but not for kids...
I read someone say that this book could be for kids. While I suppose that kids could read it, some of it would certainly be over their heads like the jokes: "When Marx came up with his theories, he just had the wrong species" (referring to the Marxist behavior of ants.)
Anyway, this book is fun and interesting and EO Wilson has a talent for telling good stories. Ants are simply fascinating creatures and this will leave you wanting to read more about them.

fascinating journey
What a fantastic journey this book was!The myriad adaptations that these creatures have made to various different challenges is truly fascinating.The photos of different ant species and the many detailed behaviours are very exciting.I would recommend this book to anyone with the slightest bit of curiosity.My only complaint (and certainly not a criticism) is that the writing in this book is clearly aimed at a 12-14 age level.Others may find the descriptions of behaviours and experiments a tad facile...

A magnificent pilgrimage through time and space
There are only a few writers who truly capture the natural world's complex structure,presenting it in a readable manner.Edward Wilson is one of these.Here, he's joined by BertHolldobler in picturing one of our world's more enigmatic creatures - the ants.This book is ajoy to read, whether you seriously study evolution or simply want a grander picture of life'smysteries.This book is a collector's item in reviewing what is known about ants and callingon students to consider how much remains to be studied.

The ants are one of the dominant forms of life on this planet.They've spread to nearly everyenvironmental niche, adapting their habits and colony structure successfully.Wilson andHolldobler willingly convey their awe at this variety to anyone wishing to share it.Amongthe amazing accounts they relate, perhaps two stand out.The finding of the earliest knownfossil specimens by a New Jersey family, and the night-foraging ants of Australia.Holldoblerand Wilson's journeys have taken them to remote sites around the planet.They have a finesense of how to bring the reader into their camps and excursions, sharing their discoveriesand their tribulations.

Along the way, we learn how ants form their colonies, breed, forage, make war and enslaveor absorb their fellows or other creatures."Ants all look the same to the naked eye" they state,then show what a fallacy it is to continue believing that outlook.Beginning as solitaryground wasps, the ants have become one of the most complex social creatures in life.Theircolonies range from simple bivouacs to huge structures.They can remove tonnes of soil tobuild a nest or range over extensive territories, terrifying even people with waves ofmigrating insects.

Anyone seeking to understand even a little of the diversity of life should own this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Great French entomologist’s charming essays on insect life combine scientific rigor with the style of a literary classic. Beautifully written passages reveal the intricate, fascinating worlds of the beetle, cicada, praying mantis, glow-worm, wasp, grub, cricket, locust, and other creatures as they hunt, build nests, feed families, and more. Rare volume will delight any naturalist.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

NO ILLUSTRATIONS!!!
Warning, there is not one picture in this book save a crappy watercolored cricket on the cover. There was an earlier edition with exquisite illustrations, so I thought I'd take a chance with this one. *sound of gameshow buzzer* I'm sorry, no pictures. Anyway it is a good book, I enjoyed it. It's not a scientific description of insects and their habits, it's a regular guy's observations of and adventures with the insect world throughout his life and it's pretty interesting. It was Surrealist director Luis Bunuel's favorite book, although his copy had illustrations!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Mosquitoes and their Control presents a multitude ofinformation on bionomics, systematics, ecology and control of bothpestiferous (nuisance) and disease vectors in an easily readable styleproviding practical guidance and important information to bothprofessional and layman alike. Ninety-two species and subspecies belonging to 8 genera and 18subgenera are described in the fully illustrated identification keysto adult females and males and fourth-instar larvae. The illustratedkeys are followed by a detailed description of the morphology, biologyand distribution of each species including over 700 detailed drawings.Mosquitoes and their Control includes: systematics and biology; medical significance;research techniques; fully illustrated identification keysfor larval and adult mosquito genera; morphology, ecology anddistribution of the 92 species identified in the keys;biological, chemical and physical control. Mosquitoes and their Control is a valuable tool for vectorecologists, entomologists, and all those involved with mosquitocontrol, biology, ecology and systematics worldwide. It willespecially benefit the students, scientists and professionals dealingon a day-to-day basis with mosquitoes and their control. Society as awhole, stands to gain from improved, environmentally responsiblemosquito management programmes designed on the basis of the broaderunderstanding of mosquitoes and their control provided in thisenlightening book. ... Read more

Book Description

This color illustrated field and natural history guide treats all 107 known tiger beetle species found in North America above the Mexican border. Tiger beetles are among the most widely found and popular families of insects worldwide. Enabling amateur naturalists and professionals to use two identification methods--comparison of colored pictures to live or mounted specimens, and use of illustrated dichotomous keys--full biological accounts emphasize points for identification, behaviors, and habitats. Distribution maps show where various species and subspecies can be found. The authors promote a new and exciting activity of insect watching as an alternative or supplement to collecting (the general feeling among "butterfliers" and dragonfly and damselfly enthusiasts). Communicating primarily through the un-refereed journal Cincindela, (Tiger Beetler) specialists themselves prefer the term, "cicindelophiles." They represent an ardent sublet of the growing number of serious amateur naturalists who invest in outdoor activities seeking and identifying birds, butterflies, dragonflies, flowering plants, and various other forms of life. ... Read more

Book Description

An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles is an authoritativereference in a breathtakingly beautiful volume, one that will leave every readerwith a deeper understanding, appreciation, and--yes--fondness for these amazingcreatures and their place in nature. In terms of numbers, beetles are the mostsuccessful creatures on earth: about 350,000 species of beetles have beendescribed since 1758. They range from tiny to gigantic, occupy sundry habitats,and eat everything--plants, animals, and their own remains. An InordinateFondness for Beetles provides an engaging look at these magnificent yetpoorly understood creatures and highlights the absolutely essential role theyplay in the dynamics of nearly every terrestrial ecosystem on Earth.And, asthis book beautifully demonstrates, the aesthetics of beetle design are amazing.The fantastic colors and shapes of these creatures warrant the gorgeous colorphotography lavished on them in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Gorgeous and well-written--recommended
The photographs by Lisa Watson are the first thing to catch your eye about this beautifully produced book. The majority are of museum specimens, which oddly is what makes the pictures so attractive: we're used to seeing high quality pictures of wildlife, but the displays here juxtapose many different beetles and have more impact than wildlife shots would.

The pictures are beautiful but the text is high-quality too. The authors start by reciting some statistics on the number of beetle species. Linnaeus, two hundred and fifty years ago, described 654 species; and Fabricius added another 4,112 species between 1775 and 1801. By 1876 Gemminger and von Harold's catalog contained nearly 77,000 species; and when Junk and Schenkling's catalogue was completed, in 1940, it listed nearly 221,500 species. It's now estimated that there are 350,000 described beetle species. However, recent work by Terry Erwin, extrapolating from detailed studies of a small area, suggests that there are more than eight *million* species of beetle just in the tropics!

The rest of the book is a fairly detailed survey of beetles in all their aspects. The authors are enthusiasts as well as experts, and it shows in their writing, which is crisp, clear and engaging. They cover beetle anatomy, fossilized beetles, habitats and niches, the beetle life cycle, and mimicry. There is also substantial coverage of beetles and humans: naming, appearance in mythology, use as jewels (really!), a discussion of pest control, and use in education. The book has more scientific depth than is usual for a coffee table book, without sacrificing interest value.

There is a website that appears to be maintained by one of the authors (Evans) that contains some material from the book; I recommend you take a look if you are hesitating about buying this. I found it by searching for the book title using a standard search engine; when I looked it was on the Lorquin Entomological Society's website, but it may have moved.

Recommended.

Jaw-dropping beauty
This is one of the most gorgeous books I own. I look at these pictures, and I think that human beings could not dream up jewelry that touches the beauty of these creatures. It is utterly unbelievable! Every time I page through this book my jaw is open in disbelief. They are so breathtaking they almost bring tears to my eyes. Okay. Confession time. They HAVE brought tears to my eyes.

This book is stunning!
Not only does this book have absolutely gorgeous photographs of many species of beatles, the factual content of the book is also very good. Not dumbed down, yet not inaccesible by the general public. Overall Excellent!

By far one of the best books I have read about insects
I have read large numbers of insect books, and this is my absolute favorite. Cover to cover, it is an interesting and informative book. The photography is simply stunning and amazing, and the text is easy to read and well planned to cater to the well informed entomologist and amateur alike. It describes all aspects of beetle lives, with special emphasis on how many beetles there are in the world and how they effect human cultures in ways we rarely notice. Anyone who has any interest in beetles, insects in general, or excellent photography should get ahold of a copy of this book. I assure you that you won't regret it!

Fascinating natural history and wonderful photographs.
If a single example of every living species, plant and animal, were lined up, every fifth organism would be a beetle! This amazingly beautiful book combines fascinating natural history about the most common form of life on earth with spectacular photographs. Brings the appreciation of beetles closer to the way many of us already feel about birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Look closely--beauty lies beneath our feet. This is a coffee table art book simply in a class by itself. It is rich in content as well as beauty ... Read more

Book Description

In classical Chinese medicine, the ear is considered an extraordinarily powerful nexus of energy through which the entire body can be treated. Unlike numerous texts that apply Western approaches to Eastern medicine, Chinese Auricular Acupuncture explains ear acupuncture within the framework of traditional Oriental energetics consistent with the use of the medicine.Written by an esteemed practitioner and teacher of auricular acupuncture, this modern, user-friendly guide provides students and practitioners with a concise manual on ear acupuncture. High-quality photos illustrate common ear pathology and include instruction on diagnosis. The text features Chinese clinical energetics of ear acupoints interfaced with the most common diagnostic paradigms. It also contains a detailed discussion of how to construct prescriptions tailored to the patient rather than the disease process.This unique book simplifies the art of auricular acupuncture by relying solely on the traditional Chinese ear map rather than a set of complex charts and systems. This approach explains the practical utilization of auricular therapy in a manner that is memorable, clinically useful, and based on the underpinnings of an education in traditional Chinese medicine. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bees can talk by Xavier Lesage
This book unveils a marvelous language between animals. After reading it you can not any more smash a bee!

The content of the discovery is impressive : one bee can tell her colleague that there is food at 1 300 meters in the North-West direction... Animals can talk using a symbolic language and we know their words.

The thorough methodology used by Karl van Frisch and his students is very impressive as well. No place is left for doubt. 20 years of experiments are described with a German luxury of details. This is a scientific lesson in those time where we do not accept response time exceeding 2 seconds when browsing the web desperatly looking for information. ... Read more