Wildlife: butterflies, other insects and spiders: general interest Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTop-Bar Beekeeping is an offering designed to encourage beekeepers around the world to keep bees naturally by providing beekeeping basics, hive management and the utilization of top-bar hives. In recent years, beekeepers have had to face tremendous challenges, from pests, such as varroa and tracheal mites, to the mysterious but even more devastating phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Yet in backyards and on rooftops all over the world, bees are being raised successfully, even without antibiotics, miticides, or other chemical inputs. More and more organically-minded beekeepers are now using top-bar hives, in which the shape of the interior resembles a hollow log. Long lasting and completely biodegradable, a top-bar hive made of untreated wood allows bees to build comb naturally rather than simply filling prefabricated foundation frames in a typical box hive with added supers. Top-bar hives yield slightly less honey but produce more beeswax than a typical Langstroth box hive. Regular hive inspection and the removal of old combs helps to keep bees healthier and naturally disease-free. Top-Bar Beekeeping provides complete information on hive management and other aspects of using these innovative hives. All home and hobbyist beekeepers who have the time and interest in keeping bees intensively should consider the natural, low-stress methods outlined in this book. It will also appeal to home orchardists, gardeners, and permaculture practitioners who look to bees for pollination as well as honey or beeswax.Trade Review ForeWord Reviews- "Farmers who seek a guide to hive maintenance told through a thoughtful personal narrative will benefit from the discussion of this topbar style of beekeeping. The first-person style of the book allows a window into the practices of the topbar beekeeper while conveying a wealth of knowledge and a well-researched comparison of hive practices. The book is appropriate for beginning beekeepers as well as those experienced but looking for information on natural and organic beekeeping practices. The book’s ten sections discuss optimal practices of an organic beekeeper juxtaposed with discussion of industry standard practices and their drawbacks. Each section contains stories of the authors’ successes and failures as well as diagrams and pictures to explain everything from hive design to plant species for optimal pollination. Whether the reader is looking to start their own hive or simply increase their knowledge of honeybees, the book provides interesting and detailed discussions of all aspects of raising them. Crowder and Harrell offer not only advice on how to get started, but an in-depth discussion of all aspects of keeping a hive, from bee capture, breeding, and selection to honey processing. They have crafted a book that is both informative and engaging, filled with introspective advice and practical knowledge." Publisher's Weekly- "Cave drawings show beekeepers “smoking” their hives, preparing for insect interaction. Today’s mass-produced honey relies mostly on the venerable Langstroth method of beekeeping, which has produced plenty of honey—but also has introduced plenty of chemicals into the process—through the years. Top-bar hives, named for the bars that run across their tops, are popular with bee beginners even though they produce less honey than Langstroth hives. But this account, the culmination of Crowder and Harrell’s 40 years of top-bar beekeeping adventures, shows the reader their method’s advantages: it avoids antibiotics, miticides, and other chemicals inherent to the conventional process. Crowder and his wife, Harrell, leave no comb unharvested as they take the top-bar aspirant from bee basics (stings, smoke, and hive transfers) through hive management (comb removal and feeding) to beneficial, and profitable, byproducts like beeswax. For those a bit lukewarm to the swarm, the book gives a fascinating insight into bees’ elaborate organizational and geometry skills, and it may even make one reconsider buying mass-marketed, chemical-laced honey.""Reading Top-Bar Beekeeping reminds me of the classes I took with Les Crowder several years ago. He's a man who truly knows whereof he speaks, who has the gift of communicating with his small friends, the bees, and sharing his understanding with us. . . . This is the one book on beekeeping that I will recommend to my permaculture students."--Scott Pittman, Director, Permaculture Institute USA "This is an excellent guide for hobby beekeepers who wish to keep bees using top-bar hives. Drawing on his more than 30 years of beekeeping experience in New Mexico, author Les Crowder describes in detail the special comb management techniques that this low-cost, but relatively intensive, form of beekeeping requires. Top-Bar Beekeeping also provides an eloquent appeal for beekeepers to make care, respect, and reverence the foundation of their relationships with the bees."--Thomas D. Seeley, Cornell University; author of Honeybee Democracy and The Wisdom of the Hive"This book presents practical advice, gained from first-hand experience, on the organic management of top bar hives. This book will serve as an excellent guide to the ever-growing number of beekeepers that utilizes less intrusive management schemes such as top bar hives. Thanks to Les and Heather for their efforts to provide sound advice on natural ways to keep bees."--Dr. Jeff Pettis, USDA-ARS Table of Contents1. Top-bar hives 2. The supercreature 3. Beekeeping basics 4. Hive management 5. The seasons 6. Honey, beeswax, and other products 7. Evaluating your queen 8. Problem-solving 9. Raising queens 10. Planting for bees

Read more less

Book SynopsisInsects have a greater impact on human lives and livelihoods than any other group of organisms. This guide will help you to identify insects that are frequently encountered, very striking or ecologically important in the region. Compact and easy-to-use, it features more than 400 of the interesting and diverse insect groups found in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Full-colour photographs of all featured species are accompanied by concise text giving key identification features for each group.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA great, rhapsodic, urgent book full of joy, grief, rage and love . . . A must-read'' Helen Macdonald, author of H is for HawkNature has many gifts for us, but perhaps the greatest of them all is joy; the intense delight we can take in the natural world, in its beauty, in the wonder it can offer us, in the peace it can provide - feelings stemming ultimately from our own unbreakable links to nature, which mean that we cannot be fully human if we are separate from it. In The Moth Snowstorm Michael McCarthy, one of Britain''s leading writers on the environment, proposes this joy as a defence of a natural world which is ever more threatened, and which, he argues, is inadequately served by the two defences put forward hitherto: sustainable development and the recognition of ecosystem services.Drawing on a wealth of memorable experiences from a lifetime of watching and thinking about wildlife and natural landscapes, The Moth Snowstorm noTrade ReviewA great, rhapsodic, urgent book full of joy, grief, rage and love. The Moth Snowstorm is at once a deeply affecting memoir and a heartbreaking account of ecological impoverishment. It fights against indifference, shines with the deep magic and beauty of the non-human lives around us, and shows how their loss lessens us all. A must-read * Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk *An important book about an important subject - the loss of biodiversity locally, nationally and internationally, what this means for humanity and how it could possibly be avoided . . . The main argument is that we all have in us the capacity to experience joy and wonder from nature . . . Michael McCarthy is a professional journalist and an accomplished and experienced writer who handles his themes skilfully * Irish Examiner *Impassioned, polemical and personal . . . In the autobiographical passages nature is a marvel and a solace. [McCarthy's] descriptions of the night-time clouds of moths - the moth snowstorms of the title - that we saw in the days before farming ruined so much natural habitat are unforgettable, and his recollections of boyhood bird-watching on the River Dee Bay a delight . . . At its heart, this is a book aiming to persuade those who are broadly sympathetic to think in a different way, and in that it is surely a success - and a joy * Independent *A fascinating and very readable book . . . full of joy and wonder and luminous moments . . . McCarthy is a man who remembers not only the Observer's Book of Birds but the set of Brooke Bond tea cards featuring Charles Tunnicliffe's beautiful bird pictures. But you don't have to be of a similar vintage to enjoy this expansive celebration of a subject too often overlooked in the ongoing discourse about man and nature - sheer joy * Dabbler *McCarthy has for years been the doyen of environmental correspondents . . . he is conversant with the hard facts, the political realities and the moral complexities of the conservation world. But he writes also as a man inspired by the beauty, diversity and abundance of the natural world that we are destroying. This combination of worldly wisdom and deeply felt personal experience makes this a highly original and refreshing account of our current predicament * TLS *Deserves to be widely read * Scotsman *Environmental correspondent Michael McCarthy makes an impassioned plea on behalf of the natural world in this inspiring book * Sunday Express *The natural world, whether birdsong, butterflies or wild flowers, can give us joy. It can bring us peace. The ability of nature to do this, through a sense of awe, is articulated beautifully in a book by Michael McCarthy, The Moth Snowstorm: Nature and Joy. His quest to track down every British butterfly as a tribute to his dead mother brought me to tears * Sunday Times *A deeply troubling book by one of Britain's foremost journalists on the politics of nature. The case he lays bare in the opening chapters is compelling stuff. Essentially he argues that the world of wild creatures, plants, trees and whole habitats - you name it - is going to Hell in a handcart . . . powerful, heartfelt and compelling * The Spectator *As much as joy, it's a beautiful book about love, damage, and the possibility of redemption * Press Association *You could do worse to catch up than to read a single chapter in Michael McCarthy's new book, The Moth Snowstorm . . . the one entitled 'The Great Thinning' . . . powerfully and succinctly summarises the unfolding national story * New Statesman *More than a simple paean to the glories of the wild world. It is also an impassioned protest against its destruction * Daily Mail *In his beautiful book . . . Michael McCarthy suggests that a capacity to love the natural world, rather than merely to exist within it, might be a uniquely human trait * Guardian *A mixture of memoir, elegy to nature, and a call to arms . . . this is a profound urgent book, among its strength an appreciation of the small things - the common precious treasures of birdsong, butterflies and moths that we all, whatever our stance, stand to lose * Country Life *I found joy following McCarthy's stories, particularly those of the futile attempts to return salmon to the Thames and the tragic loss of sparrows from London . . . His personal revelations are moving, and The Moth Snowstorm left me as grief-stricken as any environmental journalist must be after a career digesting facts such as that, by 2020, the volume of urban rubbish generated in China is expected to reach 400m tonnes - equivalent to the entire world's trash in 1997 * Guardian *A bold new defence of a natural world under great threat * BBC Countryfile Magazine *[A] moving memoir * New Statesman *Unquestionably my nature book of the year - an intensely moving and intelligent plea for 'joy' to be counted the most powerful reason for valuing the natural world. McCarthy's starting point is the vivid recollection of a veritable snowstorm of moths in car headlights when he was young. With glorious originality, he makes an unanswerable case for us to start proclaiming 'a new kind of love' from the rooftops. Can you attach a cost-benefit analysis to what a walk in fields listening to birdsong can do for the human spirit? No. That's why everybody should read this angry, beautiful and passionate book * Daily Mail *This is a book about the joy the natural world can engender - even in the face of its decline. McCarthy synthesises the two main literary reposnses to the current crisis, provoking shock at the scale of Britain's recent loss of abundance and a sense of awe and (most importantly) love that may prove nature's best defence. If you read one book from this selection make it The Moth Snowstorm * The Times, Books of the Year *Elegiac * Guardian *Offers a necessary corrective * Irish Times, Books of the Year *Compelling . . . The Moth Snowstorm is an inspiring book * New York Times Book Review *McCarthy's words ring out as a rallying cry which is not only a delight to hear but one we should all seek to follow * Conversation *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSee the animal kingdom in all its glory, from jellyfish to polar bears, with up-close details of their unique features from head to toe. Filled with magnificent photographs that were specially commissioned for this book and cannot be seen anywhere else. Written in association with the Natural History Museum.This visual reference book starts with the question what is an animal? and takes you through the animal kingdom - mammals, reptiles, birds, and sea creatures. It uses a unique head to toe approach that showcases in spectacular detail special features such as the flight feathers of a parrot, the antenna of a moth, or the tentacles of coral.This visual encyclopedia is filled with clear and fascinating information on everything about the social lives of animals. Read exciting stories, like how animals communicate, defend their territories, and attract mates.Learn how evolution has helped wildlife to adapt to their unique environments, whether

Read more less

Book SynopsisBees are a fascinating and indispensable group of insects, but many species are in decline, and efforts to help determine distributions and changes in abundance have to date been compromised by a serious lack of identification resources. This book is from author Steven Falk, who is a professional naturalist and conservationist with over forty years' experience of working with bees. It is a comprehensive introduction to bee classification, ecology, field techniques and recording, a full glossary, and information on how to separate the sexes and distinguish bees from other insects. Also included are introductions to families and genera, describing key characters and life histories, as well as detailed species descriptions covering field and microscopic characters, similar species, variants, flight season, habitat, flowers visited, nesting habits, status & distribution, and parasites & associates. A series of innovative illustrated keys to genera and species are designed to guide the Trade ReviewRichard Lewington’s delicate pictures are without equal, but with copious thumbnail diagrams, and close-up photos of body parts, this is also a detailed key work for the specialist wanting to learn more. -- Richard Jones * BBC Wildlife *Bee identification just got a whole lot easier...with Richard Lewington's stunning artwork and Steven Falk's accessible text and identification keys * Bird Table magazine *Comprehensive, well organised, easy to use, beautifully illustrated and packed with detail this is, quite simply, one of the best field guides I’ve had the pleasure of using. -- Calvin Jones * Ireland's Wildlife *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction What is a bee? Classification of bees At-a-glance guide to bee genera Species, races, forms and variations The life cycle of bees Enemies and associates of bees Habitats of bees Field techniques for finding and recording bees Conserving bees Societies and recording groups Bees beyond Britain and Ireland Further Reading How to Use this Guide Dichotomous keys Format of the species accounts The colour plates Male or female? Is it a bee? Bee anatomy Glossary Author’s web feature Key to Bee Genera Family colletidae - Colletes – Plasterer bees - Hylaeus – Yellow-face bees Family andrenidae - Andrena – Mining bees - Panurgus – Shaggy bees Family halictidae - Halictus – End-banded furrow bees - Lasioglossum – Base-banded furrow bees - Sphecodes – Blood bees - Rophites – Bristle-headed bees - Dufourea – Short-faced bees Family melittidae - Melitta – Blunthorn bees - Macropis – Oil-collecting bees - Dasypoda – Pantaloon bees Family megachilidae - Anthidium – Wool carders - Stelis – Dark bees - Heriades – Resin bees - Chelostoma – Scissor bees - Osmia – Mason bees - Hoplitis – Lesser masons - Megachile – Leafcutter and mud bees - Coelioxys – Sharp-tail bees Family apidae - Nomada – Nomad bees - Epeolus – Variegated cuckoo bees - Eucera – Long-horned bees - Anthophora – Flower bees - Melecta – Mourning bees - Ceratina – Small carpenter bees - Xylocopa – Large carpenter bees - Bombus – Bumblebees - Apis – Honey bees Colour Plates Checklist of the bees of Britain and Ireland Index Photographic credits

Read more less

Book SynopsisMoths is a definitive introduction to the biology, lifecycle and natural history of this crucial insect group, which encompasses over 160,000 species.Trade Review'This is designed to be a lavish introduction to the wonderful world of moths and in this it succeeds admirably. It is a fascinating and enthralling account... The authors are experienced lepidopterists, who are both curators of moths and butterflies at the Natural History Museum in London, and so it is no surprise that they provide an authoritative and wide-ranging account. Every page includes details and examples of the extraordinarily diverse and unlikely life of moths.' Atropos; 'This is by far the best book on Lepidotera that I have had the pleasure to read during a lifetime's study on entomology. Superbly researched, superbly written. Each sentence is beautifully crafted, jam-packed with fascinating detail.' British Journal of Entomology

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis photographic identification guide to the 280 butterfly species most commonly seen in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High-quality photographs from the area's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, habitats, behaviour, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is a classification of butterflies found in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, from their superfamilies down to the level of genera to give an understanding of the relationships of butterflies

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** The Garden Jungle is a wonderful introduction to the hundreds of small creatures with whom welive cheek-by-jowl and of the myriad ways that we can encourage them to thrive.The Garden Jungle is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet. Wherever you are right now, the chances are that there are worms, woodlice, centipedes, flies, silverfish, wasps, beetles, mice, shrews and much, much more, quietly living within just a few paces of you.Dave Goulson gives us an insight into the fascinating and sometimes weird lives of these creatures, taking us burrowing into the compost heap, digging under the lawn and diving into the garden pond. He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world.The Garden Jungle is at times an immensely serious book, exploring the environmental harm inadvertently done by gardeners who buy intensively reared plants in disposable plastic pots, sprayed with pesticides and grown in peat cut from the ground. Goulson argues that gardens could become places where we can reconnect with nature and rediscover where food comes from. For anyone who has a garden, and cares about our planet, this book is essential reading.Trade Review[Goulson] is master of intriguing details of a world beyond our ken… The Garden Jungle is an eye-opening book… [and Goulson’s] enthusiasm is infectious. This is a man you’d just love to visit your garden and show you its invisible wonders, teach you how to nurture them. * The Times *This book will teach you a great deal about the creatures who live right outside your door and are waiting for you to get to know them. It is a constant revelation. * Sunday Times *Like a top-notch wildlife documentary, The Garden Jungle draws us in with fascinating details of the natural world and, at the same time, delivers a wake-up call… I doubt that many will finish reading this important book without making a few changes to their gardening or way of life. * Church Times *An upbeat book about the wonders of the ecosystem in every garden. * The Times, *Summer reads of 2019* *Woodlice, earthworms, earwigs: a seething Serengeti lurks in many a back garden. Apiologist Dave Goulson’s wonderful book encourages such richness by delivering solid science on garden wilding... Goulson demonstrates that the domestic nature reserve is the first step towards saving the planet. * Nature *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNature’s most successful insects captured in remarkable macrophotography In Ants, photographer Eduard Florin Niga brings us incredibly close to the most numerous animals on Earth, whose ability to organize colonies, communicate among themselves, and solve complex problems has made them an object of endless fascination. Among the more than 30 species photographed by Niga are leafcutters that grow fungus for food, trap-jaw ants with fearsome mandibles, bullet ants with potent stingers, warriors, drivers, gliders, harvesters, and the pavement ants that are always underfoot. Among his most memorable images are portraits—including queens, workers, soldiers, and rarely seen males—that bring the reader face-to-face with these creatures whose societies are eerily like our own. Science writer Eleanor Spicer Rice frames the book with a lively text that describes the life cycle of ants and explains how each species is adapted to its way of life. Ants

Read more less

Book SynopsisA guide to the beetles of the United States and Canada east of the Mississippi River. It covers 1,400 species in all 115 families east of the Mississippi River. It presents information on identification, natural history, collecting, and geographic range for each species and family.Trade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2015 National Outdoor Book Awards, Nature Guidebooks, NOBA Foundation "If you are interested in beetles, then this is a must have."--Roberta Gibson, Wild about Ants "Few entomologists are also skilled at writing for a general audience, but Evans makes it seem effortless. He has a real gift for simplifying concepts so that they are not intimidating to an amateur naturalist yet not condescending to veteran entomologists. The introductory section is as well-illustrated as the remainder of the book, and explains many puzzling physical features of beetles... In short, this is the most compact, affordable, comprehensive, and useful beetle book to come along since I can't remember when."--Bug Eric "'Beetle-maniacs' will adore this beautifully illustrated, comprehensive volume written by the renowned entomologist Arthur Evans. Those who don't realize beetles are such a fascinating topic will be happily surprised."--Catriona Tudor Erler, New York Journal of Books "Anyone east of the Mississippi with more than a passing interest in insects will want a copy. Now."--Bill Cannon, Scientist's Bookshelf "Stunning."--Dan Tallman's Bird Blog "Beetles of Eastern North America is an excellent book that will be much loved by field naturalists and entomologists alike, especially given its very modest price."--Robert F. Foster, Canadian Field-Naturalist "This guide is detailed, easy to use and nicely illustrated. It will open your eyes to these interesting little creatures, many of which are stunningly colorful and beautiful."--R. E. H., Wildlife ActivistTable of ContentsPreface 7 Acknowledgments 8 How to Use This Book 9 Classification 9 Key to Families 9 Family Diagnoses 9 Species Accounts 9 Species Identification 10 Introduction to Beetles 11 Beetle Anatomy 11 Behavior and Natural History 19 When and Where to Find Beetles 33 Observing and Photographing Beetles 36 Beetle Conservation and the Ethics of Collecting 38 Collecting and Preserving Beetles 39 Making a Beetle Collection 45 Keeping and Rearing Beetles in Captivity 49 Taking an Active Role in Beetle Research 52 Illustrated Key to the Common Beetle Families of Eastern North America 53 Beetles of Eastern North America 59 Reticulated beetles (Cupedidae) 60 Telephone-pole beetles (Micromalthidae) 61 Minute bog beetles (Sphaeriusidae) 62 Ground, tiger, and wrinkled bark beetles (Carabidae) 63 Whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae) 94 Crawling water beetles (Haliplidae) 96 Burrowing water beetles (Noteridae) 97 Predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae) 99 Water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae) 105 Clown beetles (Histeridae) 110 Minute moss beetles (Hydraenidae) 114 Featherwing beetles (Ptiliidae) 115 Primitive carrion beetles (Agyrtidae) 117 Round fungus beetles (Leiodidae) 118 Burying and carrion beetles (Silphidae) 120 Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) 124 Stag beetles (Lucanidae) 142 Bess beetles (Passalidae) 145 Enigmatic scarab beetles (Glaresidae) 146 Hide beetles (Trogidae) 147 Earth-boring scarab beetles (Geotrupidae) 149 Sand-loving scarab beetles (Ochodaeidae) 152 Scavenger and pill scarab beetles (Hybosoridae) 153 Bumble bee scarabs (Glaphyridae) 155 Scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) 156 Plate-thigh beetles (Eucinetidae) 178 Minute beetles (Clambidae) 179 Marsh beetles (Scirtidae) 180 Cicada parasite beetles (Rhipiceridae) 183 Metallic wood-boring or jewel beetles (Buprestidae) 184 Pill or moss beetles (Byrrhidae) 195 Riffle beetles (Elmidae) 196 Long-toed water beetles (Dryopidae) 198 Travertine beetles (Lutrochidae) 200 Minute marsh-loving beetles (Limnichidae) 201 Variegated mud-loving beetles (Heteroceridae) 202 Water penny beetles (Psephenidae) 203 Ptilodactylid beetles (Ptilodactylidae) 204 Chelonariid beetles (Chelonariidae) 206 Callirhipid beetles (Callirhipidae) 207 Artematopodid beetles (Artematopodidae) 208 Rare click beetles (Cerophytidae) 209 False click beetles (Eucnemidae) 210 Throscid beetles (Throscidae) 211 Click beetles (Elateridae) 213 Net-winged beetles (Lycidae) 229 Glowworms (Phengodidae) 233 Fireflies, lightningbugs, and glowworms (Lampyridae) 234 False soldier and false firefly beetles (Omethidae) 237 Soldier beetles (Cantharidae) 238 Tooth-neck fungus beetles (Derodontidae) 243 Wounded-tree beetles (Nosodendridae) 244 Jacobsoniid beetles (Jacobsoniidae) 245 Skin beetles (Dermestidae) 246 Endecatomid beetles (Endecatomidae) 249 Bostrichid beetles (Bostrichidae) 250 Death-watch and spider beetles (Ptinidae) 252 Ship-timber beetles (Lymexylidae) 258 Bark-gnawing beetles and cadelles (Trogossitidae) 259 Checkered beetles (Cleridae) 263 Soft-winged flower beetles (Melyridae) 271 Fruitworm beetles (Byturidae) 274 Cryptic slime mold beetles (Sphindidae) 275 False skin beetles (Biphyllidae) 276 Pleasing fungus and lizard beetles (Erotylidae) 277 Root-eating beetles (Monotomidae) 281 Silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagidae) 283 Silvanid flat bark beetles (Silvanidae) 285 Flat bark beetles (Cucujidae) 288 Parasitic flat bark beetles (Passandridae) 289 Shining flower and shining mold beetles (Phalacridae) 290 Lined flat bark beetles (Laemophloeidae) 291 Short-winged flower beetles (Kateretidae) 293 Sap beetles (Nitidulidae) 295 Cybocephalid beetles (Cybocephalidae) 304 Palmetto beetles (Smicripidae) 305 Bothriderid beetles (Bothrideridae) 305 Minute bark beetles (Cerylonidae) 307 Handsome fungus beetles (Endomychidae) 308 Lady beetles (Coccinellidae) 311 Minute hooded and fungus beetles (Corylophidae) 320 Minute brown scavenger beetles (Latridiidae) 322 Hairy fungus beetles (Mycetophagidae) 323 Archeocrypticid beetles (Archeocrypticidae) 325 Minute tree-fungus beetles (Ciidae) 326 Polypore fungus beetles (Tetratomidae) 327 False darkling beetles (Melandryidae) 329 Tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae) 333 Ripiphorid beetles (Ripiphoridae) 338 Zopherid beetles (Zopheridae) 340 Darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) 344 Synchroa bark beetles (Synchroidae) 359 False longhorn beetles (Stenotrachelidae) 360 False blister beetles (Oedemeridae) 362 Blister beetles (Meloidae) 365 Palm and flower beetles (Mycteridae) 369 Conifer bark beetles (Boridae) 371 Dead log beetles (Pythidae) 372 Fire-colored beetles (Pyrochroidae) 373 Narrow-waisted bark beetles (Salpingidae) 376 Antlike flower beetles (Anthicidae) 377 Ischaliid beetles (Ischaliidae) 382 Antlike leaf beetles (Aderidae) 382 False flower beetles (Scraptiidae) 384 Disteniid longhorn beetles (Disteniidae) 387 Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) 388 Megalopodid leaf beetles (Megalopodidae) 428 Orsodacnid leaf beetles (Orsodacnidae) 429 Leaf and seed beetles (Chrysomelidae) 429 Pine flower snout beetles (Nemonychidae) 457 Fungus weevils (Anthribidae) 458 Cycad weevils (Belidae) 462 Leaf-rolling and thief weevils, and toothnose snout beetles (Attelabidae) 462 Straight-snouted and pear-shaped weevils (Brentidae) 466 Weevils, and snout, bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae) 469 Appendix: Classification of the Beetles Covered in This Book 501 Glossary 523 Selected References and Resources 527 Photo and Illustration Credits 530 Index 537

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan you imagine a world without bees? Did you know that dung beetles are awesome recyclers? Insects pollinate, recycle and are an important food source for many animals – they’re tiny but mighty superheroes of the animal kingdom. This is an anthology of children’s poems which will educate and excite youngsters about the fascinating world of insects. With factual notes alongside the poems, and black line illustrations.Table of ContentsQuestions for an entomologist by Myles McLeod; Insect Hotel by Kate O’Neil; Cabbage white by Becky Kleanthous; I by Becky Kleanthous; Moth by Elli Woollard; Not cricket by Elli Woollard; Termite by Elli Woollard; Ask a katydid by Celia Berrell; Rockin’ Bug Band by Diana Murray; True bugs are suckers by Celia Berrell; Life cycle by Susan Byrne; Fritillary by Stephen Bone; When a ladybird gets scared by Joanne Lloyd; Beetle Soup by Christy Mihaly; Dragonfly by Anita John; Picture a Beetle by Karen Horsley; Hercules the Beetle by Joanne Lloyd; Beetle Incantation by Lydia Syson; Song of the Dung Beetle by Elli Woollard; Our Planet by Susan Byrne; Name-calling by Elizabeth F. Hill; Unlikely Flight by Lydia Syson; The Coleoptera Ceilidh by Jane MacKenzie; Archie by Anneliese Emmans Dean; Pyrophorus noctilucus by Kate O’Neil; How to Be a Master Survivor (aka Cockroach) by Sharon Dalgleish; I am considering ants by M. V. Williams; Café Six by Kate O’Neil; Aerial Gymnast in the Clothes of a Clown by Robert Ensor; Yoga for Insects by Myles McLeod; Pond Dipping by Ros Woolner; Dazzling Dragonflies by Nina Hoole; Episyrphus balteatus by John Kitchen; Waggle Dance Navigation by Maureen Anderson; Shield Bug by Imogen Forster; Luna Moth by Christy Mihaly; The Change by Anneliese Emmans Dean; High Brown Fritillary by Rebecca Gethin; Flesh-fly by Anneliese Emmans Dean; How to recognise insects by Maureen Anderson; A pest’s request by Gabrielle Turner; Ruins by Richard Westcott; The Pond Skater Swagger by Helen Clare; Mayfly May by Chrissie Gittins; The Mayfly by Jane Mackenzie Can a Beetle Fly? by Karen Horsley; Interview with an entomologist; Write your own poem; Insect project ideas.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Read this book, then look and wonder' Sunday Times *A TLS Book of the Year*We have to learn to live as part of nature, not apart from it. And the first step is to start looking after the insects, the little creatures that make our shared world go round.Insects are essential for life as we know it - without them, our world would look vastly different. Drawing on the latest ground-breaking research and a lifetime's study, Dave Goulson reveals the long decline of insect populations that has taken place in recent decades and its potential consequences.Eye-opening and inspiring, Silent Earth asks for profound change at every level and a passionate argument or us to love, respect and care for our six-legged friends.'Compelling - Silent Earth is a wake-up call' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding'Enlightening, urgent and funny, Goulson's book is a timely call for action' New StatesmanTrade ReviewA powerful book * Mark Cocker, Financial Times *Thoughtful, frightening and yet hugely enjoyable... This book will make you think differently about our right of dominion over the planet * Daily Telegraph *It's remarkable that insect decline has gone largely unnoticed by non-specialists... Keep dreaming, Dave Goulson. We'll need more dreamers like you * The Times *If Silent Earth contains a single incontestable message it is that nature - insects, flowers, plants, trees, birds and mammals, including our species - is a single system... This powerful book tells us that we need to act as if we understand this essential truth * Financial Times *Compelling, penetrating, devastating - Silent Earth is a wake-up call for the world. Dave Goulson matches science with eloquence and passion to spotlight the cataclysmic loss of insect life on our planet. Rachel Carson would be proud. -- Isabella Tree

Read more less

Book SynopsisYuval Zommer is an author, illustrator and environmentalist based in London. He studied at the Royal College of Art and worked for many years as a creative director at leading advertising agencies before becoming an author and illustrator. His award-winning Big Book series (Thames & Hudson) has now been published in thirty languages and has over 1.8 million copies in print.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLogs, stones and the like provide an interesting interface between the damp depths of the soil and the drier open ground surface, offering refuges for a fascinating array of animals. The communities of organisms that live beneath them are little noticed and even less studied, yet the potential for ecological work here is great. Some of the animals are relatively large and frequently not difficult to find. They exhibit a wide range of lifestyles – from slow slugs or snails to very fast centipedes, from generalist to specialist feeders and from herbivores to carnivores. With chapters covering the cryptosphere environment, species groups, identification, guidelines and ideas for further research, this much-expanded and updated new edition also includes extensive, easy-to-use, comprehensively illustrated keys. Ground-surface debris can be found almost anywhere, often presenting highly accessible microhabitats for study and bringing immediate rewards to the curious: here is the ideal tool to unlock these worlds.Trade ReviewThis second edition, at 352 pages (ca fourfold longer), is comprehensive and has been thoroughly updated using the most recent taxonomic divisions and information available... This book will interest those who are curious about hidden animals. Teachers would also appreciate this book, as it could be adapted for students from elementary to high school. -- Phyllis G. Weintraub, Community EcologyAn excellent and very useful book for naturalists, ecologists, ecological surveyors, or indeed anyone interested in knowing what lives in the hidden places of their garden. It caters well for the growing interest in and use of bug hotels and will help anyone establishing them to understand more about the animal communities they support. -- Alvin Helden, Anglia Ruskin University * In Practice *A great addition to the library of any wildlife enthusiast who may want to observe the world of the invertebrates around them. -- Danniella Sherwood * Newsletter of the British Arachnological Society *If you are keen or just interested in turning over logs and stones (which most naturalists seem to enjoy or should do) then this is the book for you and its definitely worth upgrading to the new edition. Easily recommended. -- Roy Stewart * British Naturalist *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Environmental conditions under logs and stones 3. The cryptozoa 4. Identifying the animals 5. Studying animals under logs and stones 6. Useful addresses and links 7. References and further reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSouthern Africa boasts wonderful invertebrate diversity and abundance. In this book, approximately 1,500 species of the region's moths – and most of their caterpillars – are illustrated with images of live specimens. A diagnosis based on visible characters is provided, also enabling the user to readily identify many closely related species not illustrated. Known host associations, habitat preferences, phenology and accurate distribution maps are provided for each species. As the only substantive and up-to-date guide to the rich moth fauna of the wider southern African region, this volume fills a gap in the natural history books of Africa. Furthermore, it includes data from citizen science project The Caterpillar Rearing Group to depict caterpillar stage and respective host plant/s for a sizeable proportion of the southern African moth fauna. Based on more than 270,000 location records, preferred habitats and point-based distribution maps are provided for the first time. A crucial addition to our understanding of the wildlife of the African continent.Trade ReviewAn essential resource for naturalists, gardeners, farmers, students, and anyone interested in delving into the rich and ecologically significant world of moths. ... The incorporation of caterpillar information in this book is a commendable feature, enabling naturalists to engage with and identify moths in their larval state. … It is my hope that this book will ignite a surge of conservation studies that incorporate moths into the ecological tapestry of southern Africa. -- James S. Pryke * Journal of Insect Conservation *Excellent... I highly recommend the book and certainly will be packing it in my luggage for my next African trip. -- Paul Waring * British Journal of Entomology and Natural History *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon't forget to pack this handy butterfly guide when visiting Cyprus. It lists all 49 butterfly species, with colour images of the wing uppersides of both sexes and undersides of each of the resident species. Figures illustrate the key ID features of superficially similar species. Larval hostplants, distribution and flight periods are included.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn indispensable guide to Great Britain and Ireland's resident and migrant dragonfly and damselfly species.Whizzing over water with metallic bodies and often iridescent wings, dragonflies and damselflies are arguably one of our most overlooked and beautiful insects. This practical guide will help you to distinguish between skimmers and darters, with fascinating species accounts and insect-watching tips. To aid quick and accurate identification, the book also contains more than 280 stunning paintings by renowned artist, Richard Lewington.The 2002 edition was shortlisted for the BP Natural World Book Prize. This updated edition has been fully revised and redesigned to feature full descriptions, ecological notes and distribution maps, as well as a general introduction and regional guide to the best places to watch dragonflies.Trade Review...it's excellent to see a comprehensively updated, accurate and beautifully presented new edition released. There can be no question that this is the essential field guide for any British and Irish odonatologist. -- Josh Jones * Birdwatch *...so much more than a field guide and if you only have one book on UK dragonflies, then this is the one. -- Mark Tyrell * Dragonfly News *...this field guide fulfils its purpose excellently and can be recommended without reservation. -- Mark Young * BES Bulletin *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Regional guides Identification Further reading Addresses Checklist of Odonata of Great Britain and Ireland Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeginning with an introduction to soil ecosystems, this work reveals the unseen labors of underground organisms maintaining the rich fertility of the earth as they recycle nutrients between the living and mineral worlds. It introduces readers to an array of creatures: wolf spiders with glowing red eyes, snails with 120 rows of teeth, and more.Trade Review"Soil, for the layman, is typically out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Those who enjoy the beauty of nature rarely look down. James B. Nardi offers an engaging and informative view of the living creatures whose activities in the soil affect its creation, composition, and fertility. Like Alice in Wonderland, the reader of Life in the Soil is dropped into a fantastical world." - Cathy J. Maloney, editor, Chicagoland Gardening"

Read more less

Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Ladybirds is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Brightly coloured and pleasingly pattered, ladybirds are among some of our most beloved and familiar invertebrates. Their role in helping to protect our crops by devouring huge numbers of pests has firmly established these tiny, flying beetles as the gardeners'' friend.Spotlight Ladybird focuses on the 26 species that are resident in the UK, from the widespread but unusual Orange Ladybird to the rare - and aptly named - Scarce 7-spot Ladybird. Ladybird expert, Richard Comont considers the conservation challenges facing these iconic species, whose populations are now at risk thanks to the threat posed by one of their own, the invasive alien Harlequin Ladybird. And he covers all aspects of ladybirds'' biology, from tiny larvae emerging from their oval eggs to large aggregations that converge at specific sites around theTable of ContentsMeet the Ladybirds Ladybirds Across Time and Space The Ladybird Year Feeding and Foraging Ladybirds in the Landscape Natural Ladybird Enemies Cultural Connections Watching Ladybirds Looking After Ladybirds Glossary Further Reading and Resources Ladybird Species in Britain Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisHoneybees make decisions collectively - and democratically. This book reveals that these incredible insects have much to teach us when it comes to collective wisdom and effective decision making. It presents an account of scientific discovery. It investigates how evolution has honed the decision-making methods of honeybees over millions of years.Trade ReviewOne of Financial Times (FT.com)'s Books of the Year in Nonfiction Round-Up in the Science & Environment list for 2010 "Dr. Seeley is an engaging guide. His enthusiasm and admiration for honeybees is infectious. His accumulated research seems truly masterly, doing for bees what E.O. Wilson did for ants."--Katherine Bouton, New York Times "Although the details are complicated, Seeley's explanations are remarkably clear. The text is abundantly illustrated with figures that are cleverly simplified in comparison to how they might appear in scientific journals. For readers who may be less passionate about the particulars of honeybee life, Seeley also reveals parallels between the way swarms make decisions and how the human brain sorts through conflicting neuron signals to reach decisions. He also provides a few pointers on how rules of honeybee democracy may be applied to decision-making in human groups, with minimal dependence on a leader, vigorous competition among a diversity of viewpoints, and a method for determining a majority-based resolution."--May Berenbaum, Times Literary Supplement "Seeley's work--extended over years and summarized clearly and engagingly here--is a model of biological research that builds bridges to the social sciences, and to the practical arts of institutional design for humans."--Adrian Vermeule, New Republic's The Book "[S]plendid."--John Whitfield, Nature "[E]ngaging and fascinating... Seeley writes with infectious enthusiasm... Honeybee Democracy offers wonderful testament to his career of careful investigation of a remarkable natural phenomenon. The breadth and depth of the studies reported in it should inspire all students of animal behavior."--Science "To illustrate bee decision making, Seeley details how swarms choose a new home. Seeley presents his material with charm, and the bees' system of house-hunting becomes surprising and awe-inspiring."--Science News "In Honeybee Democracy, Seeley carefully narrates his many seasons of experiments using plywood next boxes that could be moved and modified at will. He discovered what bees like in a home, how scouts measure the dark interiors of these boxes and most of all, how the swarm 'votes' to decide which nest to occupy... Honeybee Democracy is a brilliant display of science at work, with each experiment explained and illustrated."--New Scientist "[I]t is a book well worth studying. Within its pages we find out about an important aspect of the life of the honeybee (with some practical implications for beekeepers), how researchers work both in the field and in the laboratory, the objective way in which the experiments are carried out but, most of all, how in the seeking of a new home bees provide us with a model of true democratic behaviour which any group could use to its advantage. Indeed, the last chapter alone, 'Swarm Starts' would make an excellent minibook for anyone who is involved in decision making no matter what position they hold."--Beekeepers Quarterly "Rather than presenting a dry review of his findings, Seeley intertwines them with his thought processes, anecdotes and generous appraisals of students and fellow scientists. His skill in writing a book with so much science in such simple language is admirable. Even a non-beekeeper can understand what he is trying to convey. The photographs are beautiful and the illustrations elegant."--Zachary Huang, Times Higher Education "The year's most enchanting science book."--Financial Times (FT Critics Pick 2010) "Honeybee Democracy, by Thomas D. Seeley, will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about one of the world's most beneficial insects... Seeley, a biologist and beekeeper, presents his excellent understanding of what makes the bees' society work for the survival of the species."--Washington Post "His argument is seductive... [R]eading Honeybee Democracy is a delightful way to spend an evening."--National Post "[O]ne cannot help but be inspired by the beauty of Seeley's hypothesis-driven experimental work. The book is beautifully presented with illustrations, photographs, charts and anecdotes, and succeeds in making the whole field of investigation accessible to the non-specialist... [O]ne is swept away by Thomas Seeley's enthusiasm for a subject that is clearly his passion."--Philippine Rudolf, British Politics and Policy "Seeley shares his 35-plus years of experience working with bees. He presents a very interesting treatise about his research (as well as that of other scientists) on these eusocial insects and their fast and accurate group decision making when choosing the colony's new dwelling place. This very well-written book is also beautifully illustrated, highly informative, and educational."--Choice "[T]his work makes an important contribution to a growing body of literature in disciplines removed from political science or sociology (such as biology in this case). It is felt that this may help us to understand what this enigmatic term or concept 'democracy' might actually be. To finish, this book comes highly recommended to any interested in learning about a new non-human democratic typology."--Jean-Paul Gagnon, Journal of Democratic Theory "Princeton University Press is to be congratulated in producing a book that is great value for the money and beautifully produced. The author is to be congratulated in writing a book that in its content and voice will reach and satisfy both scientists and nonscientists, both bee people and those not yet bitten (or stung). Honeybee Democracy is both easy and enjoyable to read."--Francis L. W. Ratnieks, Animal Behaviour "Seeley writes in an engaging and entertaining style. He also manages to explain complicated facts in easily understandable prose without compromising on the scientific information, and his comparisons with human behaviour and democratic practices are telling... The author aimed to bolster, 'an appreciation of these little creatures'. Mission accomplished. It's hard to not be fascinated by the, 'little six-legged beauties.'"--Uli Ernst, Lab Times "[Honeybee Democracy is] an exceptional combination of memoir, entomology, and political philosophy."--Carl Zimmer, DiscoverMagazine.com's The Loom blog "Reading Tom Seeley's book will give you an understanding of bees which will help your beekeeping... Like all the author's books and papers, this one is worth a place in your bee library."--Adrian Waring, Bee CraftTable of ContentsPrologue 1 Chapter 1: Introdu ction 3 Chapter 2: Life in a Honeybee Colony 20 Chapter 3: Dream Home for Honeybees 43 Chapter 4: Scout Bees' Debate 73 Chapter 5: A greement on Best Site 99 Chapter 6: Buildi ng a Consensus 118 Chapter 7: Initiating the Move to New Home 146 Chapter 8: Steering the Flying Swarm 175 Chapter 9: Swarm as Cognitive Entity 198 Chapter 10: Swarm Smarts 218 EPILOGUE 233 Notes 237 Acknowledgments 261 Illustration Credits 265 Index 271

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"This enticing book will keep readers occupied for days, if not longer." — School Library Journal (Starred Review)"This is a charming, information-rich book that should lead readers to appreciate bees and welcome them into their gardens and wild places and even encourage some to keep honeybees." — Booklist"Lots of great photos of go-to plants for bees." — The Toledo Blade"This succinct yet surprisingly comprehensive introduction will be attractive to researchers, and hopefully may inspire readers to consider beekeeping as a hobby." — School Library Connection"Budding entomologists, young environmentalists, and gardening enthusiasts alike are bound to discover fascinating facts and how-to project inspiration." — School Library Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisA much-needed guide you can't truly understand a moth or a butterfly without first getting to know the caterpillar.' Nick BakerThis beautifully illustrated field guide covers caterpillars of the moth and butterfly species that are most likely to be encountered in the British Isles. The comprehensive introduction covers how to study caterpillars and provides a window into their diverse natural histories, while the species accounts cover status, field characters, similar species, habitat, foodplant and field notes, and are accompanied with up-to-date distribution maps.Trade ReviewThe drawings are perfect ... the text is excellent. As a field guide it is hard to fault. -- Peter Marren * British Wildlife *A much-needed guide – you can’t truly understand a moth or a butterfly without first getting to know the caterpillar. -- Nick BakerTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Useful resources At-a-glance guide Plate section Checklist of the macro-moths and butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Scientific names of plants and their associated butterfly and moth species Photographic credits Appendices Index of English names Index of scientific names

Read more less

Book SynopsisIlluminates the ways in which our human intellectual and cultural models have been influenced by the natural history of insects. This book explores the cultural and textual meanings of bugs and argues that insects are humanity's "other."

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis fun book will have kids bugging out! Explore the fascinating miniature world of spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies, and more as stunning photography combines with expert information to create an up-close-and-personal look at the hidden lives of these tiny backyard residents. Watch each creature progress through different life stages as they eat, grow, and learn in a natural setting. Surprising and captivating, this one-of-a-kind introduction to the crawlers and flyers just outside the door is a delight for nature lovers of all ages.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.Trade Review‘ … is a gem.’Carmarthen Journal

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the first fully illustrated field guide to all 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in western North America. Dragonflies and damselflies are large, stunningly beautiful insects, as readily observable as birds and butterflies. This unique guide makes identifying them easy--its compact size and user-friendly design make it the only guide you need in the field. Every species is generously illustrated with full-color photographs and a distribution map, and structural features are illustrated where they aid in-hand identification. Detailed species accounts include information on size, distribution, flight season, similar species, habitat, and natural history. Dennis Paulson''s introduction provides an essential primer on the biology, natural history, and conservation of these important and fascinating insects, along with helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West is the field guide naturalists, conservationists, and dragonfly enthusiasts have been waiting for. Covers all 348 western species in detail Features a wealth of color photographs Provides a color distribution map for every species Includes helpful identification tips Serves as an essential introduction to dragonflies and their natural history Trade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award in Nature Guidebooks "Who knew that there were 348 species of dragonflies and damselflies in the Western United States? That fact alone should make nature lovers who enjoy traveling to wild places want to check out Dennis Paulson's new book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West, published by Princeton University Press... This guide includes information on flight seasons, habitat and natural history in the description of each insect as well as helpful tips on how to observe and photograph them."--Salt Lake Tribune "Bird watching has been a common hobby for centuries, and butterfly watching has become popular in the last few decades. Odonate watching is the newest pastime. Here, Paulson offers a comprehensive guide to Odonata of western North America... This well-written, informative guide is a 'must have' for any person, amateur or scholar, interested in these insects."--Choice "[T]hese volumes are obviously authoritative, comprehensive and clearly designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. The photographs are excellent and ... the text makes up for the unavoidable shortcomings of a photo-guide by including full descriptions of each species. Altogether, these two volumes constitute a complete, highly informative and beautifully illustrated guide to the Odonata of North America."--Guy Padfield, UKbutterfliesTable of ContentsPreface 7 Introduction 9 Natural History of Odonates 11 Odonate Anatomy 22 Odonate Colors 26 Odonate Names 27 Finding Odonates 28 Identifying Odonates 29 Odonate Photography 31 Odonate Collecting and Collections 32 Odonate Threats and Conservation 35 Odonate Research 36 Odonates in the West 37 Explanation of Species Accounts 37 Damselflies (Zygoptera) 41 Broad- winged Damsel Family (Calopterygidae) 41 Spreadwing Family (Lestidae) 50 Pond Damsel Family (Coenagrionidae) 73 Shadowdamsel Family (Platystictidae) 184 Threadtail Family (Protoneuridae) 186 Dragonflies (Anisoptera) 191 Petaltail Family (Petaluridae) 191 Darner Family (Aeshnidae) 194 Clubtail Family (Gomphidae) 237 Spiketail Family (Cordulegastridae) 308 Cruiser Family (Macromiidae) 314 Emerald Family (Corduliidae) 323 Skimmer Family (Libellulidae) 372 Species Added to the Western Fauna 519 Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources 521 Glossary 523 Index 527

Read more less

Book SynopsisA groundbreaking photographic field guide to almost all of Mexico's butterfly species and many of Central America's This is a revised second edition of a groundbreaking photographic field guide to the butterflies of Mexico and Central America. It covers almost all of the more than 1,700 butterfly species found in Mexico, plus many found only in CeTrade ReviewPraise for Jeffrey Glassberg's previous butterfly books: "Glassberg treats his subject as an open door. Walk through it and begin what can be a lifetime adventure."--E. O. Wilson Praise for Jeffrey Glassberg's previous butterfly books: "May do for butterflies what Peterson did for birds."--Village Voice

Read more less

Book SynopsisButterflies animate our summers but the fifty-nine species found in the British Isles can be surprisingly elusive. Some bask unseen at the top of trees in London parks; others lurk at the bottom of damp bogs in Scotland. A few survive for months, while other ephemeral creatures only fly for three days. Several are virtually extinct. This bewitching book charts Patrick Barkham's quest to find each of them - from the Adonis Blue to the Dingy Skipper - in one unforgettable summer. Wry, attentive, full of infectious delight and curiosity, written with a beautifully light touch, The Butterfly Isles is a classic of British nature writing.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn authoritative photographic guide to the butterflies of Europe.Packed with beautiful photography and thoroughly updated throughout, this is the definitive guide to all 472 species of European butterflies with additional information on another 64 species found in North Africa and south and west Turkey.Detailed text and clear photographs including views of both the upperwing and underwing where possible allow identification of adult butterflies in the field. There is also useful information on their relative size, similar species, habitat, lifestyle and larval host plants, accompanied by accurate range maps which have been updated for this new edition.The result of collaboration between many European butterfly experts and photographers, and compiled by a Finnish team, this thoroughly updated second edition of this comprehensive guide represents the last word in butterfly identification.Table of ContentsForeword by Ikka Hanski Preface Acknowledgements European butterflies Butterfly species - Hesperiidae - Papilionidae - Pieridae - Lycaenidae I - Lycaenidae II - Nymphalidae I - Nymphalidae II - Nymphalidae III Butterflies of European Islands, Eastern Europe and Adjacent Regions Butterflies on the Internet Literature Index of Common Names Index of Scientific Names

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSchmidt's tales will prove infectiously engaging even to entomophobes.—Publishers WeeklyOn Schmidt's pain scale, this book rates a zero—painless. On the pleasure scale, it rates a ten, a highly enjoyable read.—Natural HistoryReaders who share my fascination with the natural world, and particularly those who revel in unusual animal facts, will love The Sting of the Wild.—Between the CoversAn excellent book.—NewsweekA good read, with valuable evolutionary context for bees and their insect relatives interwoven with entertaining travel tales of an engaged entomologist.—American Bee JournalEven though the pain-laced topic might leave you wincing, Schmidt’s engaging and entertaining writing makes for a tale worth reading.—Scientific American[Schmidt's] low-down on sting biochemistry and physiology is relentlessly zestful, even as he recounts the swelling, burning consequences of his curiosity.—NatureThe Sting of the Wild is full of the stories of science of stings. Schmidt is an engaging writer, and his youthful enthusiasm for scary critters makes for a book that will sometimes scare you and sometimes make you double over with laughter . . . It’s a masterpiece of nature writing.—Nature's Cool Green ScienceIf you’re interested in bugs of any kind, and especially the notorious ones, this book will entertain, educate, and excite.—Discover MagazineNot only does he explain his Schmidt Sting Pain Index, wherein he rates the pain of numerous stings on a scale of one to four, but he also relates the fascinating natural histories of these animals.—National GeographicTotally fascinating.—FiveThirtyEightThe arms race that created the stinger hypodermic, and its biochemical warfare toxins, was a direct result of communal nesting, because the greater risk of predation demanded a formidable defensive strategy. This is the evolutionary theme through which the author lovingly interjects his own personal anecdotes.—BBC Wildlife MagazineIt's hard to imagine a nature book being more fascinating and fun.—Virgin Radio UKIn addition to providing colorful, connoisseur-grade descriptions of the pain caused by stings, The Sting of the Wild provides all sorts of information about stinging insects.—NewserBeautifully written . . . like nothing else you have ever read.—NPR's Science FridayFull of adventure, humor and Schmidt's impressive scholarship.—Redlands Daily FactsSchmidt, an entomologist at the Southwestern Biological Institute, is an excellent writer. He can write clear, engaging explanations of sting evolution and venom chemistry, as well as spin a good yarn about his adventures collecting stinging insects. I enjoyed his dry, judiciously applied, wit.—Pica HudsoniaThe Sting of the Wild weaves [Schmidt's] theories about stinging insects through a narrative of his personal experiences digging in the dirt. For many readers, the highlight of the book will be the appendix, his celebrated Pain Scale for Stinging Insects, which rates the pain level of dozens of insect stings, an index he created mostly by firsthand experience, either by suffering stings incidentally during field research or, in some cases, by inducing them. Because stings of the same magnitude don’t necessarily feel the same, Schmidt has written haiku-like descriptions for each of the 83 sting entries.—New York Times MagazineThe Sting of the Wild is a delicate and highly refreshing glimpse into the private mind of a professional scientist. —Times Literary SupplementSchmidt’s story is really new, refreshing, and thoroughly entertaining.—Journal of Natural HistoryThis is an informative and engaging story about the fascinating lives behind the insects that you may just think of as very annoying visitors at picnics.—The Biologist[A] surprisingly joyful book. . . Schmidt does a good job of passing on his boundless enthusiasm for insects. The sting of the wild is an easy read, packed with chemistry and anecdotes.—Chemistry WorldThe Sting of the Wild sheds light on the mysteries of stinging insects in a delightful and humorous narration. I recommend the book to every entomologist, ecologist, and naturalist interested in exploring the impressive world of Hymenoptera.—American EntomologistAnecdotes of field encounters with research subjects (and some incidentally encountered forest and desert coinhabitants) are woven throughout and bring readers close to what it feels like to be a field biologist. I will not spoil these dispatches fromthe front lines of venom, other than tomention that amongmy favorites were the author’s adventures with a large Bushmaster snake (a tropical viper) at night in the rain forest, a venomspraying species of wasp nesting above a tropical cliff, and the giant Asian honey bee (again at night) with a team of lucky (?) coworkers. If this cast of animal characters piques your curiosity, I am confident you will thoroughly enjoy The Sting of the Wild.This volume represents the best kind of natural history writing—a treasure trove of solid and fascinating biology cleverly disguised as a good read.—The Quarterly Review of BiologyThe Sting of the Wild is a great book for lay readers. Think of it as insect gossip, though verified gossip, of course. It has that convivial tone of sharing what's going on with the Jones, but the Jones are killer bees... You don't have to be a bug lover to enjoy The Sting of the Wild. I sure am not one, but nature is endlessly inventive and Schmidt knows how to make her inventions interesting and enjoyable.—Tonstant WeaderTable of ContentsPreface1. Stung2. The Stinger3. The First Stinging Insects4. The Pain Truth5. Sting Science6. Sweat Bees and Fire Ants7. Yellowjackets and Wasps8. Harvester Ants9. Tarantula Hawks and Solitary Wasps10. Bullet Ants11. Honey Bees and HumansAppendixReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and filled with mind-boggling wonders' - Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale'Thrilling, compellingly readable and paradigm-shattering' - Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast'Both expert and entertaining' - David Barrie, author of Incredible JourneysAnts have been walking the Earth since the age of the dinosaurs. Today there are one million ants for every one of us. The closer you get to ants, the more human they look: they build megacities, grow crops, raise livestock, tend their young and infirm, and even make vaccines. They also have a darker side: they wage war, enslave rivals and rebel against their oppressors. From fearsome army ants, who stage twelve-hour hunting raids where they devour thousands, to gentle leaf-cutters gardening in their peaceful underground kingdoms, every ant is engineered by nature to fulfil their particular role.Acclaimed biologist Susanne Foitzik has travelled the globe to study these master architects of Earth. Joined by journalist Olaf Fritsche, Foitzik invites readers deep into her world - in the field and in the lab - and will inspire new respect for ants as a global superpower.Fascinating and action-packed, Empire of Ants will open your eyes to the secret societies thriving right beneath your feet.Trade ReviewBeautifully written and filled with mind-boggling wonders, Empire of Ants is a delightful tribute to the minuscule but extraordinary world of creatures that live right beneath our feet. -- Dave Goulson, author of A STING IN THE TALEThrilling, compellingly readable, and paradigm-shattering. A gateway to a strange but strangely familiar society - a complex international community, ruled by stern, exotic, resonant and repercussive stories. -- Charles Foster, author of BEING A BEASTBoth expert and entertaining, Empire of Ants will leave you in no doubt that these wonderfully strange little animals are among the most impressive of all our fellow creatures. -- David Barrie, author of INCREDIBLE JOURNEYSAre we the sole rulers of this world? This wonderful book brings our tiny co-rulers alive via an engaging description of ants' cities, hard work, warfare, royalty, diversity, and ecological impact. These insects may be quite different from us, but their societies are eerily similar. -- Frans de Waal, author of MAMA'S LAST HUGIf you ever wanted to travel to an exotic planet filled with strange life forms - you've arrived. Every page of Empire of Ants brims with astonishing stories and facts that could never have been invented by a human mind. -- Carl Safina, author of BECOMING WILDThis is a charming tribute to the 'little creatures that run the world.' A very personal selection of the many wonders discovered in the world of ants that introduces readers to their fascinating lives. -- Bert Hölldobler, co-author of THE SUPERORGANISM and Pulitzer Prize–winning THE ANTSSusanne Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche have you enter a whole new universe worthy of a science fiction novel, yet it exists right at your feet. -- Mark W. Moffett, author of THE HUMAN SWARM and ADVENTURES AMONG ANTSThis highly entertaining book makes it clear that Mother Nature has been having a wildly fun time moulding these social insects into an abundance of behavioural and physical expression. -- Jonathan Balcombe, author of WHAT A FISH KNOWS and SUPER FLY

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes—creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world’s most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the “bookworms” that devour libraries, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary powers of six- and eight-legged creatures. With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. It’s an A to Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections that explore bugs with kinky sex lives (“She’s Just Not That Into You”), creatures lurking in the cupboard (“Fear No Weevil”), insects eating your tomatoes (“Gardener’s Dirty Dozen”), and phobias that feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs (“Have No Fear”). Intricate and strangely beautiful etchings and drawings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs capture diabolical bugs of all shapes and sizes in this mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins—but doesn’t end—in your own backyard.Trade Review“A fascinatingly dark look at the world of wonders that buzzes, burrows and reproduces all around us... Stewart's research is prodigious and her writing precise, whether she's telling the tale of a caterpillar that looks like a tiny Persian cat or more about fleas than you ever wanted to know. Read this book and you'll always keep your gardening gloves on...Stewart concentrates on scarily diabolical bugs, to great effect.”—Seattle Times—Entertainment Weekly“If you’ve got an insect phobia, this probably isn’t the book for you. But if not, dig in, as Stewart gleefully archives more than 100 of earth’s creepiest crawlies.”—Entertainment Weekly—Smithsonian.com“There is a ton of well-researched, fascinating information with terrific and terrifying stories from history ... As Stewart writes, ‘we are seriously outnumbered.’ It’s best we know our enemies.”—Smithsonian.com—NPR's "Weekend Edition"“There are a number of interesting tidbits in this book, you know, things that you might want to work into a conversation.”—Linda Wertheimer, NPR’s “Weekend Edition”—NPR's "Fresh Air"“From bat bugs — yes, bat bugs — to banana slugs to the pork tapeworm, [Stewart] details the most infectious, most terrifying insects on the planet.”—NPR’s “Fresh Air”“I read your book, and I'm all itchy.”—Dave Davies,NPR’s “Fresh Air”“A word of warning: Some of the descriptions ahead might trigger your gag reflex.”—Terry Gross, NPR’s “Fresh Air”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel“Stewart offers witty capsule biographies of dozens of chitin horrors, from the African bat bug to the tsetse fly, with plenty of shout-out for the spiders who haunt our nightmares, including such familiars as black widows and brown recluses.” - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel—The New York Times"Wicked Bugsdefines bug in the amateur sense — that is, anything creepy-crawly, including worms, snails, slugs and other insects that are not, technically speaking, bugs. A true bug, Ms. Stewart acknowledges, has six legs and wings, like all insects, as well as piercing and sucking mouthparts. And wicked, she makes clear, lies in the eye of the beholder, whether you’re a Roman with scorpions falling into your eyes or a Marylander with stink bugs falling into your hair... Wicked Bugs has some good tips for gardeners, like putting out rolled-up newspaper or cardboard tubes at night to trap earwigs and dumping them into soapy water in the morning... In fact, no bug is truly wicked. It is just eating.”—New York Times —Kirkus Reviews“[Wicked Bugs] is not a comprehensive field guide but a smorgasbord of facts—ranging from horrible, painful or otherwise discomfiting—about bugs... Stewart’s prose is simple and to the point. She lets the little horrors she describes work in the reader’s imagination without any hyperbolic help from her. Guaranteed to cause sympathy itching and other discomfort.”—Kirkus Reviews—Washington Post“A cavalcade of terrors ... [Wicked Bugs] makes for an entertaining tour of creepy-crawly territory.”—Washington Post —Scientific American bog“This book covers many of the gross, frightening, disgusting, and awful things that bugs can do to you. And it’s COOL ... Bugs become less gross, and a lot more interesting, when put into the context of how they have changed human history.”—Scientific American blog —Knoxville News-Sentinel“I should have known it would gross me out, in a deliciously creepy kind of way. It's everything you didn't know you didn't want to know about insects…” – Knoxville News-Sentinel —The Oregonian“[Stewart] wrote this book to scare the bugs out of you…Stewart is not an entomologist, but she is a consummate storyteller with a curious mind.” – The Oregonian

Read more less

Book SynopsisButterflies are brilliant pollinators and add vibrancy and colour to the garden.A summer's day wouldn't be the same without the gentle fluttering of delicate wings. They connect us with living and breathing nature and are an essential part of a dynamic ecosystem. However, in the past forty years, these insects, which were once a common sight in our gardens, are now in decline thanks to habit loss, climate change and the use of pesticides.But do not despair – there is a lot you can do to help improve their numbers! Planting for Butterflies will show you how you can attract these beautiful insects and help them to flourish by creating a butterfly-friendly garden. No matter how small or large your space – from a window ledge in the city to a country garden – Jane Moore offers advice on the nectar-rich blooms to grow, and when and where to plant them.This charmingly illustrated, practical guide will set your garden a flutter.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor many of us, the buzzing of a bee elicits panic. But the next time you hear that low droning sound, look closer: the bee has navigated to this particular spot for a reason using a fascinating set of tools. She may be using her sensitive olfactory organs, which provide a 3D scent map of her surroundings. She may be following visual landmarks or instructions relayed by a hive-mate. She may even be tracking an electrostatic path left by other bees. What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees invites us to follow bees’ mysterious paths and experience their alien world. Although their brains are incredibly small - just one million neurons compared to humans’ 100 billion - bees have remarkable abilities to navigate, learn, communicate, and remember. In What a Bee Knows, entomologist Stephen Buchmann explores a bee’s way of seeing the world and introduces the scientists who make the journey possible. We travel into the field and to the laboratories of noted bee biologists who have spent their careers digging into the questions most of us never thought to ask (for example: Do bees dream? And if so, why?). With each discovery, Buchmann’s insatiable curiosity and sense of wonder is infectious. What a Bee Knows will challenge your idea of a bee’s place in the world - and perhaps our own. This lively journey into a bee’s mind reminds us that the world is more complex than our senses can tell us.Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1. A Bees’ Life Chapter 2. The Remarkable Bee Brain Chapter 3. Bees Living Together Chapter 4. What Bees Sense and Perceive Chapter 5. Bees and Flowers: A Love Story or Arms Races? Chapter 6. Finding Many Lovers Chapter 7. Bee Smart Chapter 8. Master Builders and Memory Chapter 9. Sleep and Dreaming in Bees Chapter 10. What do Bees Feel? Chapter 11. Self-Awareness, Consciousness, and Cognition Epilogue Appendix. Things We Can All Do to Help Pollinators Art Credits About the Author

Read more less