Bugwatching: The Art, Joy, and Importance of Observing Insects

by Eric R. Eaton

Discover the pleasures of watching insects with this fun, informative, and marvelously illustrated how-to guide

Insects are the most abundant wildlife on the planet—but also the least observed. This incisive field companion highlights the basic tools for watching insects with all of our senses, covers some best habitats and circumstances for seeing the most diversity, and shares tips for attracting desirable insects to your yard and garden. With wonderful illustrations by Samantha Gallagher, Bugwatching explains why this rewarding activity is for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, level of affluence, ability, or disability. When you become a bugwatcher, you join a community of supportive and energetic people. The potential for personal and scientific discovery is virtually limitless.

Enables you to better appreciate and understand insects and improve your success rate in finding, watching, and identifying themIncludes a comprehensive treatment of insect behaviors that is invaluable for beginnersDiscusses social bugwatching and participation in community science projectsCovers advanced topics such as rearing insects and using keys to identify themExplains how watching insects can fill gaps in our knowledge about their economic impacts and the growing decline in insect diversity and abundancePromotes safety, accessibility, and inclusion as vital aspects of watching insectsAn essential guide for seasoned bugwatchers and newcomers to the community

Genres: Nature

192 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Heidi Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone that is the least bit interested in insects, or loves someone that is. There are so many helpful tips in this book that will make you a better observer and learn how to contribute to conservation and global knowledge.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author (Eric Eaton) coined and popularized the term "bugwatching" to describe the act, art, and joy of observing, identifying, and studying insects. He compares it to birdwatching. But while birdwatchers are called birders, Eaton doesn't say whether bugwatchers should be called buggers. But he does provide a full survey of the practice of bugwatching--including how to watch insects, find them, identify them, the tools you need, useful resources, insect behaviors, and everything else buggy. And it is a fascinating world. We humans are so bland, and our diversity can hardly even be called that, while insects are fantastically diverse in every respect. Most people typically grow up with the impression that insects are disgusting, icky, filthy things to be avoided. Eaton teaches us to embrace them.

There's another world, probably more amazing and bizarre than anything we might find in the far reaches of the universe, and it's right in our backyard. Yet the common person knows so little of this world. We would do well to follow Eaton's advice offered in the last two sentences of this book: "Go forth, now. Walk slowly, look closely, and be curious."

[Carol Doeringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I bought this book! I'm fascinated by insects, spiders, and other 'bugs.' I enjoy taking a close look at the critters I encounter, and this book has inspired me to become more purposeful in my insect watching. It's packed with quite practical ways to do that, including not just where to look but when and how. The book has great suggestions for bugwatching tools. I especially enjoyed reading the first-person accounts by notable bugwatchers whose blogs and websites I am now following. This book has a wonderful balance of text, photos, and terrific illustrations. It's a valuable tool for the inquisitive insect watcher. It's a fun read, too!

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough introduction to bug watching with info about where and how to get started, as well as launching to look for in bug behavior and identification. As one of the other reviews mention, the bugs shown are largely North American, but the basic principles explained here would apply anywhere.

[Kate Bunting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very US-centric so perhaps not the worth the outlay for readers outside of North America

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book about insects and how to explore the world around us for them! Easy to read with helpful tips as well

[Jeremy Vetock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and kind