Synopsis
The Encyclopedia of Insects is a comprehensive work devoted to all aspects of insects, including their anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and disease, as well as issues of exploitation, conservation, and management. Articles provide definitive facts about all insects from aphids, beetles and butterflies to weevils and yellowjackets.
Insects are beautiful and dreadful, ravenous pests and devastating disease vectors, resilient and resistant to eradication, and the source of great benefit and great loss for civilization. Important for ecosystem health, they have influenced the evolution of other life forms on our planet including humans. Anyone interested in insects, from university professors and researchers to high school students preparing a report, will find The Encyclopedia of Insects an indispensable volume for insect information.
* An unprecedented collection in 1,276 pages covering every important aspect of insects
* Presents 270 original articles, thoroughly peer reviewed and edited for consistency
* Features 1,000 figures and tables, including 500 full-color photographs
* Includes the latest information contributed by 250 experts in 17 countries
* Designed to save research time with a full glossary, 1,700 cross-references, and 3,000 bibliographic entries
From the Back Cover
This volume provides for the first time a complete summary of the present state of knowledge about insects. It includes not only a comprehensive treatment of insect biology, but also detailed descriptions of the ways in which insects interact with their environment and with other organisms, in areas such as ecology, agriculture, public health, human folklore and culture, and even the cinematic view of insect behavior.
PRAISE FOR THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INSECTS
"This comprehensive work is a definitive account of the most diverse, arguably the most dominant in the terrestrial environment, and still among the least appreciated and understood group of animals, and one upon which our lives depend."
-Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
"A fascinating and most unusual book. Over two hundred experts discuss essentially all aspects of insect life. And it's readable!"
-Charles H. Townes, University of California, Berkeley; Nobel Laureate in Physics and insect collector
"The Encyclopedia does a remarkable job of combining basic information about taxonomy and systematics, evolution, population biology, and ecology with an engaging sense of the sheer wonder of insect diversity."
-Lord Robert May, University of Oxford; President, The Royal Society
"This book should be on the shelf of every biologist and naturalist. It is a gold mine of fascinating information, and an invaluable reference for the professional."
-Paul R. Ehrlich, President, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University
"More than 250 individual articles are clearly and concisely written, up-to-date, and with enough information to fulfill expectations but not swamp a reader with unnecessary detail. This book is a must for all biological libraries and individual biologists as well."
-Peter H. Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden
"The editors have recruited an impressive team of international experts. The resulting authoritative treatments of a wide diversity of topics make this an invaluable work of reference."
-Sir Richard Southwood, Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Oxford
"An unparalleled assembly of expert science about the world's most diverse and successful creatures. The book strikes the right balance between information, credible research, and highly engaging illustrated essays."
-Michael J. Novacek, Vice President and Provost of Science, American Museum of Natural History
"There can be no better way to review the field than by way of this Encyclopedia."
-Charles D. Michener, Division of Entomology, University of Kansas
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