Reviews (1)

defense mechanisms in insects
Elzinga, Richard: Fundamentals of Entomology. Fifth edition. Upper saddle river, NewJersy. Prentice Hall 2000.
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Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Biology, Life Sciences    6. Pest control    7. Science / Biology   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding guide to natural history and identification!
I can only echo Piotr Naskrecki's review. When this book arrived my first thought was "Wow! This is the insect book I've been waiting for!" The illustrated flowchart keys to insect orders and families are outstanding and will be more easily used than the conventional keys in standard texts. I've been interested in insects most of my life (over 50 years) and this is the most incredible introduction to the subject I've seen. The only quibble I have is that the butterflies and moths don't have an illustrated flow chart key to their families. But don't let that keep you from getting this wonderful book.

At last!
At last we receive a well-written, comprehensive, and gorgeously illustrated guide to insects of eastern North America, a book that has been badly needed for many, many years. Stephen Marshall did a splendid job of combining in a single volume information on biology and identification of most families of insects found in this region, and did it in a way that is both pleasing to the eye, and truly educational. Lavishly illustrated with literally thousands of color photos, this book is an encyclopedia of North American insects, and a fantastic invitation to the exploration of our insect fauna. It includes overviews of all orders of insects found in N. America, and provides user-friendly flowchart keys to their identification (down to the family level) that are short on technical jargon but rich in illustrations. The book also has chapters on collecting and photographing insects and other small critters. I am sure that this volume will influence many budding naturalists, and quickly become the resource of choice for entomology teachers and students. An absolute must in the library of anybody with an interest in natural history as well as a useful reference for gardeners. I simply cannot recommend it enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthropoda    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Reference    7. Insects - North America    8. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (11)

AMajor Contribution to the Scientific World
Caterpillars of Eastern North America is WONDERFUL. I use it all the time. It is my major resource for caterpillar statistics and photos. I rear, photograph and research moth and butterfly adults, larvae and food plants, so this book is a great tool. It is long overdue. I know, because, as a kid, there were no books on the subject and most people thought the only good caterpillar was a dead one. Oh, how I would have appreciated this book back in the 40s. THANK YOU to David Wagner and Princeton University Press for taking on this major contribution to the scientific community.

This is THE caterpillar book to own!
I echo all of the favorable comments in the other reviews. This book has the best photos I've seen in any field guide of any kind.Shows not only the caterpillar but the resulting butterfly or moth - and, so, can also be helpful with moth identification due to the dearth of other publications on moths. This book covers a wide spectrum of caterpillars and should make it easy for anyone to identify them.

At last a Guide that Includes Moth Caterpillars!
Moth caterpillars are more numerous (moth species outnumber butterfly species 10 to one), but books to help you identify these are rare to say the least, and most of those that do cover moths as well as butterflies are both very technical and expensive."Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History" fills the need (for the eastern part of the continent at least) for a reasonably comprehensive guide to both moth and butterfly larvae, with the moths not shortchanged. It can be helpful to a degree in the west as well, but I hope a western guide will soon grace the book stores. We still have no Peterson guide to western moths to match the eastern one!
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Subjects:  1. Caterpillars    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. North America    7. Science    8. Biological Sciences    9. Birds and Natural History    10. Insects (entomology)    11. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (2)

ALL NEEDS of a PLANT PROTECTION&ENTOMOLOGIY is AVAILABLE
I would be most appreciate to informe that "ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST MANAGEMENT" has been used as acomrehensive text for three courses in dep. of plant protection,fac. of agriculture,Zabol university,Iran by me,Ph.D OF entomology and faculty member of Zabol University&Gorgan University of Agriculture.Third edition of this book has translated to Persian(in press) and Unfortunatly this new edition of book not available in Iran and many difficulties are in Iran forbook buying.I am waiting and expecting to recieve preforma or other information to having this book impatiencly&eagerly. with best regard Javad Karimi(Dep. of Plant Protection;Fac. of Agriculture,Tehran University,Karaj,Iran)

Good Introduction to Entomology
Dr. Pedigo's book is one of the better general entomology/ pest management textbooks that I have read. It is written in an understandable format and provides a good introduction to the structure, function, taxonomy, and applied ecology of insects. This volume is most appropriate for the undergraduate student interested in entomology although it would also be a handy addition to a graduate student's library as well. As with many introductory entomology textbooks, the taxonomic keys are very limited. I would recommend Borror, Triplehorn, and Johnson's: An introduction to the study of insects to anyone who desires a book with a good set of taxonomic keys. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural Entomology    2. Agriculture - Agronomy    3. Agriculture - Crop Science    4. Agriculture - General    5. Control    6. Entomology    7. Insect pests    8. Insects    9. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    10. Pest Control In Field Crops    11. Science    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Technology    14. Insects (entomology)    15. Pest control    16. Science / General   

Reviews (2)

Missing a "key" point...
While this book does address a variety of necessary topics and its overall praise is well-deserved there is a gap, which means there is still a need for a textbook in forensic entomology. An Excellent Overview of Forensic Entomology
This work is extraordinarily useful to any death investigation professional.It provides an extensive overview of all aspects of forensic entomology with chapter contributions from the leading forensic entomologists in the United States and Canada.It is expertly written so that the investigator with no formal entomological training can easily understand the context of the book, while still on a level that other formally trained entomologists will find very useful.It is richly illustrated with over 150 color photos of insects of forensic importance.This allows investigators to immediately recognize forensic insects at the scene so that collection can be assured.This book is certain to become an invaluable reference for anyone in the field of forensic entomology, or those involved in the collection of entomological evidence from a death scene.It is a perfect complement to the other works published on the subject by K.G.V. Smith and E.P. Catts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthropoda    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Death    4. Forensic Medicine    5. Forensic Science    6. Forensic entomology    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    10. Medical    11. Miscellanea    12. Postmortem changes    13. Criminal investigation & detection    14. Insects (entomology)    15. Law / Forensic Science    16. Entomology   

Reviews (11)

Fantastic insect key
I purchased this book mostly as an insect key. It is organized well, and has a very extensive key, easy to understand, and covers a broad spectrum. If you are interested in insect ID or collection, or just want some information about them, this is a great book to get. Depending on your interests, I would also recommend the "Forest Entomology, Ecology and Management" book written by Coulson & Witter.

Important for both biologists and non-biologists
Everything about insects is fascinating, and this book gives a comprehensive overview of their behavior, anatomy, and classification. For non-experts in entomology, such as this reviewer, the book provides the necessary background for further study. Topics such as the molecular genetics of insects and the genetic engineering of insects are not covered, but there are plenty of other books that treat these topics in detail. Only the first four chapters were read by this reviewer, but only chapter four will be discussed here.
Still an essential insect text despite a half-hearted update
Borror and Delong's weighty "Introduction to the Study of Insects" enters its 7th edition as the standard text for students of North American insect taxonomy. This latest edition is brought up to date by Charles Triplehorn and Norman Johnson after a 15 year gap.
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Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Insects    3. Insects & Spiders    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science    8. United States    9. Science / Entomology   

Reviews (21)

I never knew...
I have this romantic notion that one day I will retire from the Army, settle down somewhere nice, and tend my bee hives filled with gentle bees, reaping in gallons of sweet, liquid gold.Like I said, it's a romantic notion.What this book clearly states is that there is more to successfully operating an apiary than harvesting the honey a few times a year.It's science and agriculture.It's care and preservation.It's timing and careful planning.But this book didn't scare me away from my notions, rather it provided me with the critical information I'll need to successfully care for my own colony of bees.I get excited just thinking about the possibilities.The book is clearly laid out, informative, and comprehensive in scope.I recommend it for a beginner, like me, or someone who wants a good, well-rounded resource guide on beekeeping.

Pretty good resource, but not the bee all, end all...
I used this book as my only reference for starting my career as a backyard beekeeper. I find it very helpful and it is a good reference but it's also rather incomplete.I got my bees in Nucs not boxes and there wasn't much that a beginner needed to understand the differences. Also, when I checked my hives for the first time, I realized that this book is lacking a lot of what looks normal and what doesn't; there are only a few photos, mostly not very useful.Why doesn't the book tell you to smoke yourself and the bees to help prevent stings? Why isn't there info about using sugar water in addition to smoke to help you when in the hive? Now that I'm started I wish that there was a volume II with more detail to help me at the next level.
Great beginners book
This is a great "first" book. It is excellent for explaining the parts of a hive, terminology, etc., in a very readable manner, and I love the cartoons. But you must also read other books as well. The more you read, the more you'll be able to separate "opinion" from "hard fact." "The New Starting Right with Bees" etc. are excellent first-year companions to "Beekeeping for Dummies." If you start with this book, you'll be on your way; if you stop with it, you will be in a sorry state. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Apiculture    3. Bee culture    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Insects & Spiders    6. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    7. Nature    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Apiculture (beekeeping)    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    11. Pets / General   

Reviews (2)

A Superb Collection ...
This is a superb collection of over sixty original scientific papers, book extracts and other articles by Ed Wilson, one of the all-time great scientists. Each article is placed into historical context with a new introduction by Wilson. Organized by major theme area rather than chronologically, the book illustrates how Wilson's grander biological theories have been underpinned by a deep, relentless inquisitiveness. Wilson's fascination with the diversity of nature in general and ants in particular really shines through. The production quality of the book is excellent. Even at the full retail price the book is a bargain; the currently discounted Amazon price is astounding. This book is well worth buying even if you have most of the original papers.

The Ultimate Naturalist
E.O. Wilson is America's foremost writer on biology, biodiversity, and conservation. (He has two Pulitzer Prizes to prove it.)In "Nature Revealed," we get a look at his most significant writings, just as they appeared in the original journals. This selection gives us a look into the mind of one of today's most brilliant and influential scientists, but it also presents a moving clarification of some of the most important conservation issues facing us today.Everyone who cares about the fate of the earth should read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ants    2. Biological diversity    3. Biology (General)    4. Entomology    5. Insect societies    6. Life Sciences - Biology - General    7. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    11. Philosophy of science   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Botany    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Reference    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Plant reproduction & propagation    9. Reference works    10. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Invertebrates   

Reviews (4)

Good Coverage
This book is very good at extracting basic and intermediate information from a large selection of beekeeping manuals. Once I entered this world of beekeeping, I soon found an overwealming amount of information available on this subject. I enjoyed this book's ability to bridge the gap between the usual vague coverage of a begining beekeeping book and the thick manuals I am now pouring through. The illustrations and quick reference characteristics make this book a great addition to any home library.

bee utiful
I found this book very informative and the pictures really tell the story. We just recently found a hive in a tree and when it split we took the new colony. This book gives a lot of information for the beginner. I would highly recommend it.

Just starting to think about beekeeping
This book seems like an excellent beginners book- it's not intimidating and seems to cover the basics well. It seems like a good prep book to read before going to the beekeeping classes to become a real beekeeper. It has a lot of info about what to do with the wax- other products beyond honey.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Animal husbandry   

Reviews (1)

most comprehensive treatment of this order
Excellent treatment of the ecology, behavior, life history, morphology,phylogeny and neurobiology of the Solifugae. This book also provides keysfor families and genera worldwide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arachnida    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Solpugida    7. Arachnids    8. Insects (entomology)    9. Science / Zoology   

Reviews (5)

An essential natural history guide
Those who've grown up in suburbia don't usually think of it as mysterious. Yet even our backyards are filled with mystery.
The First Complete Guide to Butterfly Larvae
"Caterpillars in the Field and Garden: A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America" fulfills the very real need for the identification of the caterpillars of butterflies and skippers from North America.While not covering much in the way of moths (they have a token few at the end of the book) this book does pretty much what the author says it will do- help you identify the caterpillars of just about any butterflies found in North America, north of Mexico.The moths (which make up ten times species as butterflies) have numerous caterpillar forms and to identify these I would recommend the guide to eastern North American caterpillars by David L. Wagner.
a field guide i feel good about endorsing
As far back as I can remember (about 4 years now), I have had a gripping fascination with caterpillars. I can't claim any real expertise in identifying caterpillars - being merely an armchair larval lepidopterist - but I've spotted a strange caterpillar not mentioned in this volume. It can stretch itself between two branches so that when birds and squirrels try to pluck it from the branch it gives a curious tone, almost sharing an identical timbre with the mouth harp. I've read this manuel backwards and forwards and cannot identify this specimen.
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Subjects:  1. Caterpillars    2. Identification    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. North America    5. Pictorial works    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Life Sciences | Invertebrate zoology | Entomology    9. Science / Entomology   

Reviews (2)

manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniq
manual of techniques in insect pathology (biological techniques)

Excellent Resource Book
This book is a MUST for anyone working in the area of Insect Pathology.It provides information about and how to work with most all insect pathogens.The material is comprehensive and detailed, yet easy to follow.The methods given for culture, staining, identification, etc. of the various pathogens included actually work and yield the desired results.This is an excellent teaching reference as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural Entomology    2. Agriculture - General    3. Biocontrol Of Pests (Agronomy)    4. Entomology    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Animal pathology & diseases    9. Insects (entomology)    10. Science / Microbiology   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Insects (entomology)   

Editorial Review

Many books provoke a visceral reaction, but few really make you Read more

Reviews (46)

Lovely.
Carl Zimmer, Parasite Rex (The Free Press, 2000)
creepy, horrifying, fascinating
I picked up this book to read after seeing a science show on television about snails whose brains were controlled by parasites.These creatures were actually visible to the eye, inside the antenna of the snails!In "Parasite Rex", Carl Zimmer tells the grotesque and horrifying and astonishing ways that parasites affect our world.The adaptations these organisms have made to survive and reproduce are amazing, and some of them could not be rivaled by the imagination of H.P. Lovecraft.In addition to accounts of strange and creepy parasites, Carl Zimmer explains how hosts and parasites have evolved to depend on each other, parasites actually making the host's survival possible or performing a service for the host.Mitocondria are likely to have started out as a parasite in forms of early life.The book is very well written, very interesting, and I feel that I learned a lot about my body and my environment by reading it.

Amazing insight
This book provides an amazing insight into the world of parasites. A must read for those intrigued by the wonderful ways of nature and also for people wanting to explore other living worlds. The book seems to have solid research and in-depth study behind it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Parasites    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Parasitology    8. Popular science    9. Science / Biology    10. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (8)

Well-organized
Our local farmer recommended this book & I've really enjoyed it.Good for beginners.

Very Helpful
I am new to bee keeping, my first hive didn't make it through Ohio's winter, when I picked up a new package to repopulate the hive, the owner of the apiary, Queens Right Colonies, recommended this book.Each time I get into my hive I look through the book to learn what I have seen. Has been very helpful. Great book!

Good Introduction, But Lacking
This is a fine book, but there are many basic concepts missing, and it is a little pricey considering what it lacks. But adding it to your library will be a good move if it's complemented by other authors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apiculture    2. Bee culture    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Insects & Spiders    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Reference    9. Apiculture (beekeeping)    10. Insects as pets   

Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Reference    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Reference works    9. Science / Entomology   

Reviews (2)

Best beginners' guide
I have quite a few `bug' guides and the Peterson guides are always my favorite. The drawings are excellent, the writing is clear, and I like the behavioral and collecting notes added. There are more flashy guides with more pictures but they tend to be more limited - you can only put so many pictures in a book. They also usually cost much more. This is the book I would buy for someone wanting to learn more about the entire insect world and begin identifying the bugs they find. If their interest grows I would simply move up the full version of the same book.

Perhaps the best field guide to the insects of North America
This is a great book for both the beginner as well as those who are at the intermediate level of their study of insects.
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Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Identification    3. Insects    4. Insects & Spiders    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. United States    9. Nature / Insects & Spiders    10. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (1)

Excelent source for aquatic entomologists
Excelent drawings together with a very good description of the natural history of the genera. An essencial resource for all aquatic entomologists, specially for trichopterologists. A work of art! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caddisflies    2. Classification    3. Identification    4. Larvae    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    6. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    7. Nature/Ecology    8. North America    9. Science    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    11. Science / Marine Biology   

Reviews (3)

Excellently Beautiful Book!
Such a wonderfully beautiful book. The photos and stories of odonata are just fabulous! I will definitely read it over and over again.

a gorgeous book
This is a fantastic book - everything you wanted to know about dragonflies, with pictures! There are pages and pages of gorgeous photographs and lots of interesting information about dragonflies, from science to folklore. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in these beautiful insects.

Beautiful!
As soon as I heard this book was being released, I was dying to buy it.The authors have pioneered a method of scanning dragonflies on standard flatbed scanners and have produced some magnificent images of these insects, which they display online.As an entomologist and a woman fascinated by dragonflies, I have always admired their work and knew this book would be gorgeous if nothing else.I was not disappointed.The photos and scans of dragonflies in this book are spectacular.Even people who are squeamish of bugs could learn to appreciate the beauty of these magnificent insects after reading this book.Aside from the lovely images, the book also contains some very interesting information about dragonflies.I am particularly fond of the chapter called Dragonfly Tales, which covers dragonfly myths and folklore in more detail than I've seen in any other dragonfly book to date.Other chapters cover information rarely included in other books such as imaging, gardening for, and collecting dragonflies.It also discusses more commonly covered topics such as dragonfly life histories, structure, evolution, and development.
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Subjects:  1. Dragonflies    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Science