Insects through the Seasons

by Gilbert Waldbauer

They appeared on earth 400 million years ago, long before the first reptile, bird, or mammal. They make up about 75 percent of the 1.2 million currently known species of animals. As many as 30,000 of them coexist and interact in one square yard of the top inch of a forest's soil. The unparalleled success of insects is the story told in this highly entertaining book. How do these often tiny but indefatigable creatures do it? Gilbert Waldbauer pursues this question from hot springs and Himalayan slopes to roadsides and forests, scrutinizing insect life in its many manifestations. Insects through the Seasons will educate and charm the expert, the passionate amateur, and the merely curious about our most populous and tenacious neighbors.

Genres: Nature, Science

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I read on entomology and still my favorite. I was so enthralled that I've gone on to read a good many other books on the subject. Waldbauer's prose is clear and yet has a lyricism that surprised me. He packs an incredible amount of interesting information into the book, yet I was never overwhelmed. Best of all, his enthusiasm is infectious. If you've ever wondered why on earth anyone would devote their life to studying insects, here's an eloquent answer.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched, colloquial, and interesting book on insects, which I imagine was difficult to do in the '90s before entomology was more central to biological studies. It is more of an information dump than an organized report on "insects through the seasons," and facts ramble a bit off page, as many entomologists are prone to do. Overall, an enjoyable read that I recommend and will likely have to go through again.