Miniature Giants : Insect Stories Beyond the Ordinary

Insects are at the cutting edge of scientific innovation. Researchers today are studying them to design heart valves, prosthetics, drones, noise-canceling headphones, and countless other technologies. In many ways, insects have already mastered what humans are only beginning to understand.

Yet despite inhabiting every corner of the planet and sustaining entire ecosystems, insects remain widely misunderstood and underappreciated. And while entomological research is flourishing around the world, the field is still in its early stages in India.

In Miniature Giants, biologist and naturalist Geetha Iyer sets the record straight. She highlights remarkable insects and their extraordinary behaviors, revealing just how essential―and astonishing―these creatures truly are. Along the way, she debunks common myths and misconceptions, showing that fear and misinformation often stem from simple ignorance. This captivating book is both a celebration of insects and a compelling call for their conservation.

Geetha Iyer is a naturalist, wildlife observer, author, teacher, and consultant specializing in education and environmental studies. A zoology graduate with a PhD in Education from the University of Madras, she taught biology for more than 25 years and also served as Head of Sahyadri School (KFI) in Pune.

Geetha conducts workshops and lectures across India for students, teachers, scientists, nurses, and forest guards, focusing on natural history, ecology, and innovative approaches to teaching. An established writer of nonfiction on Indian natural history, her previous books have been published by HarperCollins, Rishi Valley Education Centre, and Orient Blackswan. She also serves as series editor for Collins India’s middle-school science books.

Her research centers on insects―especially moths―and she has published scientific papers in this field. Geetha lives in the scenic village of Suchindram with her husband and their dog, Simba.