Bugs in the System: Insects and Their Impact on Human Affairs

An entomologist's lively account of how insects impact our lives. Here is a whole world of fascinating and odd insect life, from the Roman Emperor Justinian sending spies to China to kidnap silkworms, to the discovery that maggots actually help to heal serious wounds, to the incredible loss of life caused by mosquitos. Black-and-white photos.

YA-A layman's introduction to the insect world. The book is full of well-written and fascinating descriptions of these creatures and their effects on humans. The section on coprophagy, for example, illustrates the economic importance of the right type of dung beetle to Australian cattle ranchers. A book written with imagination, humor, and skill, and one that will be excellent for assignments.
Clodagh Lee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Berenbaum, a professor of entomology at the University of Illinois, here presents extraordinary information on how insects affect our lives and society. In wars, these creatures caused more deaths than bombs or bullets, according to the author; for example, the louse, carrier of typhus, defeated Napoleon's troops. Fleas (plague) and mosquitos (malaria) have taken a heavy toll on human populations. A gall nearly wiped out the French wine industry in 1860; scale insects have been the source of varnish and dye. And Berenbaum also reminds us that about a third of our food is the direct result of insect pollination. A captivating book of popular science.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.