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The Butterfly Effect: Insects and the Making of the Modern World
An insightful, entertaining dive into the fruitful, centuries-long relationship between humans and insects, revealing the fascinating and surprising array of ways humans depend on these minute, six-legged pests.
Insects might make us recoil in repugnance, but they also manufacture--or make possible in other ways--many of the things we take for granted in our daily lives. When we bite into a shiny apple, listen to the resonant notes of a violin, try on the latest fashions, receive a dental implant, or get a manicure, we are mingling with the by-products of their everyday lives. Try as we might to replicate their raw material (silk, shellac, and cochineal, for instance), our artificial substitutes have proven subpar at best, and at worst toxic, ensuring our interdependence with the insect world for the foreseeable future. With illuminating demonstrations and thoughtful histories, and drawing on research in laboratory science, agriculture practices, fashion, and international cuisine, Melillo weaves a colorful world history that shows humans and insects as inextricably intertwined. He makes clear that, across time, humans have not only coexisted with these creatures, but have relied on them for, among other things, the key discoveries of modern medical science and the future of the world's food supply. Here is a fascinating appreciation of the ways in which these creatures have altered--and continue to shape--the very frameworks of our existence.
Insects might make us recoil in repugnance, but they also manufacture--or make possible in other ways--many of the things we take for granted in our daily lives. When we bite into a shiny apple, listen to the resonant notes of a violin, try on the latest fashions, receive a dental implant, or get a manicure, we are mingling with the by-products of their everyday lives. Try as we might to replicate their raw material (silk, shellac, and cochineal, for instance), our artificial substitutes have proven subpar at best, and at worst toxic, ensuring our interdependence with the insect world for the foreseeable future. With illuminating demonstrations and thoughtful histories, and drawing on research in laboratory science, agriculture practices, fashion, and international cuisine, Melillo weaves a colorful world history that shows humans and insects as inextricably intertwined. He makes clear that, across time, humans have not only coexisted with these creatures, but have relied on them for, among other things, the key discoveries of modern medical science and the future of the world's food supply. Here is a fascinating appreciation of the ways in which these creatures have altered--and continue to shape--the very frameworks of our existence.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
40 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
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April 17, 2020Insects are not everywhere any more. Flying insects are down 75% (causing an enormous reduction in birds that feed on them – for starters). Overall, insects are declining 2.5% per year which “suggests the total vanishing of most insects within a century,” says Edward Melillo in his book The Butterfly Effect.
It’s not (particularly) an environmental book; it’s more about commerce. Melillo describes the very practical uses Man put insects to, in global businesses employing hundreds of thousands. He focuses on three major cases that never cross our minds.
The lac bugs of the Asian subcontinent secrete a liquid that Man makes into shellac. It started out as a wood coating, because of its waterproofing abilities and the lovely lustre it added to wood products. It’s what gives Stradivarius instruments their honeyed tone. The world went through a period where chemical-compound imitators rose to replace shellac, but artisans and hobbyists find nothing works as well and as beautifully as the natural stuff. It has had an up and down history for hundreds of years, in and out of fashion, but it is on the upswing again now. Because new uses are being devised every year. Artificial is out, natural is in. Shellac is being used in drug coatings to slow down their absorption, in nail polish, candy coatings, makeup, and as a replacement for formaldehyde. The future is bright for the lac bug.
Cochineal bugs bleed a very bright red. For centuries, dyes in royal reds and purples came from this bug, harvested in Mexico. One-pound bricks of tens of thousands of crushed cochineal bodies made their way all over the world, commanding exorbitant prices. Today, it is used as a natural food coloring because the modern chemical-compounds Man imitated it with have proven to be carcinogens. The bugs live on the paddles of a cactus plant. Farmers build them little tubular homes out of corn husks they stick on the paddles. They pour them out when they’ve grown.
Silk comes from the cocoon of a moth. It spins the cocoon, often in a single go, and unraveling it can produce a single thread thousands of feet long. Here again, nylon and other poly-products have attempted to replace silk, but it is lighter and stronger than any of them. Silk can also be woven much more densely than cotton threads, making a better filter, for say, coronavirus masks. Melillo tells the story of silk clothing found in a shipwreck decades later, intact, while everything else had rotted in the saltwater. Silk production, unlike cochineal and lac bugs, can and has been replicated all over the world, with different kinds of moths as well. It is a giant industry. But it still needs moths to make it.
Those are the three major cases Melillo examines. But there’s lots more, on bees and cockroaches, one giant version of which Asians like to keep as housepets. There is also a lot on insects as food, and how insect processors are popping up all over. Despite the current fad for a so-called paleo diet, it seems early Man was an insectivore. The bulk of his protein came not from throwing stones and sticks at animals, but by picking insects. Insect parts are acceptable under FDA regulations, and can be found in peanut butter, chocolate and coffee, quite legally. He says insects will not likely become a staple, because unlike meat, they can’t be sold raw. They have to be processed and ground up, packaged and marketed, all of which adds expense. But they will eventually be a multi-billion dollar business, and be a garnish, a snack food and a treat. It’s already happening, he shows, right in the USA, from gourmet restaurants to ballparks.
It’s obvious Melillo loves his stories. He has done the historic research and puts details in context. He does stray from a tight focus, but usually for good reason, and is soon back on target. The first chapter is a rapid-fire collection of anecdotes, facts, cultural references and sayings of and around insects. It is almost overwhelming in its variety – just like the insect world. The entire book is simply jammed with the benefits of insects, from pollination to a food source.
Don’t fooled by the title. There’s very little about butterflies here. The title is a cultural reference to the saying where a butterfly batting its wings in Brazil has the potential to cause a tornado in Texas. It is misleading because the book is mostly all about the usefulness of insects in consumer products, a different approach than most nature books.
Melillo cites EO Wilson, who said, if Man disappears, the Earth will continue on as before. If insects disappear, nothing will go on as before.
David Wineberg
It’s not (particularly) an environmental book; it’s more about commerce. Melillo describes the very practical uses Man put insects to, in global businesses employing hundreds of thousands. He focuses on three major cases that never cross our minds.
The lac bugs of the Asian subcontinent secrete a liquid that Man makes into shellac. It started out as a wood coating, because of its waterproofing abilities and the lovely lustre it added to wood products. It’s what gives Stradivarius instruments their honeyed tone. The world went through a period where chemical-compound imitators rose to replace shellac, but artisans and hobbyists find nothing works as well and as beautifully as the natural stuff. It has had an up and down history for hundreds of years, in and out of fashion, but it is on the upswing again now. Because new uses are being devised every year. Artificial is out, natural is in. Shellac is being used in drug coatings to slow down their absorption, in nail polish, candy coatings, makeup, and as a replacement for formaldehyde. The future is bright for the lac bug.
Cochineal bugs bleed a very bright red. For centuries, dyes in royal reds and purples came from this bug, harvested in Mexico. One-pound bricks of tens of thousands of crushed cochineal bodies made their way all over the world, commanding exorbitant prices. Today, it is used as a natural food coloring because the modern chemical-compounds Man imitated it with have proven to be carcinogens. The bugs live on the paddles of a cactus plant. Farmers build them little tubular homes out of corn husks they stick on the paddles. They pour them out when they’ve grown.
Silk comes from the cocoon of a moth. It spins the cocoon, often in a single go, and unraveling it can produce a single thread thousands of feet long. Here again, nylon and other poly-products have attempted to replace silk, but it is lighter and stronger than any of them. Silk can also be woven much more densely than cotton threads, making a better filter, for say, coronavirus masks. Melillo tells the story of silk clothing found in a shipwreck decades later, intact, while everything else had rotted in the saltwater. Silk production, unlike cochineal and lac bugs, can and has been replicated all over the world, with different kinds of moths as well. It is a giant industry. But it still needs moths to make it.
Those are the three major cases Melillo examines. But there’s lots more, on bees and cockroaches, one giant version of which Asians like to keep as housepets. There is also a lot on insects as food, and how insect processors are popping up all over. Despite the current fad for a so-called paleo diet, it seems early Man was an insectivore. The bulk of his protein came not from throwing stones and sticks at animals, but by picking insects. Insect parts are acceptable under FDA regulations, and can be found in peanut butter, chocolate and coffee, quite legally. He says insects will not likely become a staple, because unlike meat, they can’t be sold raw. They have to be processed and ground up, packaged and marketed, all of which adds expense. But they will eventually be a multi-billion dollar business, and be a garnish, a snack food and a treat. It’s already happening, he shows, right in the USA, from gourmet restaurants to ballparks.
It’s obvious Melillo loves his stories. He has done the historic research and puts details in context. He does stray from a tight focus, but usually for good reason, and is soon back on target. The first chapter is a rapid-fire collection of anecdotes, facts, cultural references and sayings of and around insects. It is almost overwhelming in its variety – just like the insect world. The entire book is simply jammed with the benefits of insects, from pollination to a food source.
Don’t fooled by the title. There’s very little about butterflies here. The title is a cultural reference to the saying where a butterfly batting its wings in Brazil has the potential to cause a tornado in Texas. It is misleading because the book is mostly all about the usefulness of insects in consumer products, a different approach than most nature books.
Melillo cites EO Wilson, who said, if Man disappears, the Earth will continue on as before. If insects disappear, nothing will go on as before.
David Wineberg
February 7, 2021
When you finish this book you'll feel smarter. Through the author's selection of bug bios you'll learn a lot about the seemingly endless supply of insects that are actually rapidly disappearing due to pesticides and climate change. This is really bad news, if you like birds, fish, and your neighbors, because bugs are one of the pillars of life on earth. Are we really on the path of the "Sixth Great Extinction?" Uh, yes.
This is also the only book I've read about food (there's a chapter about insects as a food source) that mentions Amartya Sen's excellent research on famine (see "Poverty and Famine"). Sen studied famine in India and found that people do not die from lack of food. it is only lack of money. It's too bad the author does not spend more time describing the life of the people who grow bugs in the global South. While it provides a "livelihood" for the poor, one wonders what they'd be doing if colonialism had not driven them into poverty in the first place.
On the whole, this is a fun, easy to listen-to book that will interest young adults, too.
This is also the only book I've read about food (there's a chapter about insects as a food source) that mentions Amartya Sen's excellent research on famine (see "Poverty and Famine"). Sen studied famine in India and found that people do not die from lack of food. it is only lack of money. It's too bad the author does not spend more time describing the life of the people who grow bugs in the global South. While it provides a "livelihood" for the poor, one wonders what they'd be doing if colonialism had not driven them into poverty in the first place.
On the whole, this is a fun, easy to listen-to book that will interest young adults, too.
January 25, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable book on three special insects!
August 25, 2020
This book tells the story of insects, from the dawn of history to their discovery, use, veneration and mystification. Personally, this essay has shown me a world completely unknown to me and truly interesting.
Questo libro racconta gli insetti, dagli albori della storia alla loro scoperta, utilizzo, venerazione e mistificazione. Personalmente questo saggio mi ha mostrato un mondo a me completamente sconosciuto e veramente interessante.
THANKS EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Questo libro racconta gli insetti, dagli albori della storia alla loro scoperta, utilizzo, venerazione e mistificazione. Personalmente questo saggio mi ha mostrato un mondo a me completamente sconosciuto e veramente interessante.
THANKS EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!
November 2, 2020
Best part is about all the amazing ways people eat insects. Thought the parts about mass extinction were severely undercooked. Great detail about cochineal bugs, and silk worms. Not sure why some topics were deep, some shallow. Felt uneven.
September 7, 2023
内容简介 · · · · · ·
*人类的文明不止被人类塑造，小小的昆虫如何给人类带来商业财富、刺激帝国野心、创造伟大艺术？
*聚焦少有人研究的“昆虫与人类的生产关系”，反思现代性。
*采用2023年潘通流行色——胭脂虫红为主色调，附赠 “上海百代唱片·周璇” 复古仿78转虫胶唱片卡片。
一提到昆虫或虫子，总让人不免感到厌恶。但实际上，人类的生存离不开昆虫。在漫长的历史进程中，昆虫如魅影般无所不在，并以超乎想象的方式影响人类的文明与发展。
在美洲，使用胭脂虫红有着悠久的历史——阿兹特克人继承了前辈的传统，胭脂虫雌虫被碾碎、制成深红色染料，在几十年甚至几个世纪内都能保持鲜艳的色彩。殖民时期欧洲人对此兴致盎然：红色对他们来说象征着活力。“想象一下，满载着胭脂虫红的船只接连横渡大西洋，每磅胭脂虫红染料都要用7万只被碾碎的雌虫尸体制作而成。”
蚕丝在世界历史和当代社会中都迸发着强大的影响力。罗马人在公元前53年第一次见到了光彩夺目的丝绸，当安息帝国的旗手展开用金线绣成的猩红色丝绸旗帜时，罗马军队呆住了，以至在战争中分了心。丝绸的现代制造工艺与古代的非常相似，这一古老工艺与21世纪的营销手段相结合，确保了丝绸在时装业的中心地位。
虫胶来自紫胶虫的琥珀色树脂分泌物，用于制造包括虫漆、留声机唱盘、种植牙体在内的多种产品。从19世纪90年代虫胶唱片问世，到1962年百代唱片公司将其最后一批78 转虫胶唱片撤下，这些脆弱的凹槽唱片曾经占据了世界各地乐迷的书架。
作为经济昆虫的代表，虫胶、蚕丝、胭脂虫红曾给人类带来利润丰厚的财富，刺激帝国的野心，创造艺术的价值。近些年来，它们又重新成为全球广泛交易的产品。除此之外，人类生活中的许多物质都刻有“昆虫制造”的影子：织物、染料、化妆品、食品添加剂、家具清漆、高科技材料……尽管在迅速到来的合成时代，我们试图复制可替代它们的材料，但其人工合成物却被逐渐证明对人体有毒、对环境有害。一切似乎都在表明：我们对这些六条腿的生物仍将保持长久的依赖。没有昆虫，全球生产业将停滞不前，现代世界的基本特征也会不复存在。
爱德华·梅利洛基于对实验室科学、农业、时尚、美食和历史文献的研究，编织了一部充满活力的昆虫世界史。他不仅了追溯了昆虫对人类历史产生的重要影响，还将研究范围拓展到依托于节肢动物的现代世界的三个领域：遗传科学、作物授粉和全球食品供给。在可预见的未来，这些看似渺小的昆虫不仅将继续塑造我们聆听、品味和观察世界的方式，还将为人类提供源源不断的灵感和物质基础。
【编辑推荐】
1.小小的昆虫对人类世界的影响不容小觑。几千年来，人类的生活都没有离开过 “昆虫制造”：织物、染料、化妆品、食品添加剂、家具清漆、高科技材料……当我们咬一口苹果、听小提琴发出的洪亮音符、看时装模特走猫步、种植牙齿或者做美甲时，我们就已置身于昆虫的创造物之中。甚至连爆汁蚂蚁、高蛋白蟋蟀面粉、脆辣的油炸蚱蜢都将占据我们的食谱！
2.本书并未停留在介绍昆虫本身的种类、习性、破坏性上，而是关注少有人注意到的经济昆虫对人类历史和文明的影响。聚焦研究“昆虫与人类的生产关系”——以虫胶、蚕丝、胭脂虫红等代表性经济昆虫产物为切入点，看昆虫如何给人类带来商业财富、推动帝国发展、创造伟大艺术。
3.通过研究人类与昆虫的关系，反思现代性。昆虫在何种程度上塑造了现代世界？人类进入化学合成时代，我们真的已经摆脱了对天然材料的依赖了吗？如果没有了昆虫，人类生活将受到多大程度的影响？昆虫将如何继续影响世界经济、科技与文化？当“人工的已过时，自然的开始流行”，我们该如何看待人类与自然、人类与动物的关系？
4.美国历史学者爱德华·梅利洛专注于环境和历史研究，其在学术研究和专业写作上屡获殊荣。梅利洛一直在一个名为“商品，自然和社会”的高端历史研讨会上做讲授，涉及九种商品的环境和社会史，包括糖、银、丝、咖啡、烟草、微芯片等。这些为他的研究打开了新的大门，其学术造诣和旨趣让他的研究主题具有广度和深度，视角独特而开放，不仅拓展了我们对昆虫与人类社会、文化关系的深层认识，还为发掘人类与其他自然制品的广泛联系提供依据。
5.附赠“上海百代唱片·周璇” 复古仿78转虫胶唱片卡片。封面用2023年潘通流行色——胭脂虫红定调主色，加上蚕和虫胶元素，一览昆虫给人类世界带来的富丽。
【媒体评论】
这是一个到处充满嗡嗡声的星球。爱德华·梅利洛怀着极大的热情和敬意，提醒我们不要忘记，我们是与许多了不起的生物共享这颗星球的，其中许多是六条腿的生物。我们最好多加注意。
——比尔·麦克基本，《自然的终结》作者
在整个人类历史上，昆虫都无处不在。爱德华·梅利洛的《蝴蝶效应》生动而迷人，表明虫子的重要性丝毫不亚于一位将军和皇帝。
——伊丽莎白·科尔伯特，《大灭绝时代》作者
令人难以释卷，《蝴蝶效应》是对我们与昆虫世界相互交织的存在的巧妙揭示，其深度远远超过大多数人的想象。爱德华·梅利洛集人文主义者、历史学家和科学家于一身，其作品充满魅力和深度。任何对世界如何运作、对生命的存在如何交织保有好奇心和兴趣的人，都应该读一读这本书。
——托马斯·E.洛夫乔伊，《生物多样性与气候变化》的合著者
梅利洛介绍了许多关于昆虫的鲜为人知的事实和洞察时刻，对环境史感兴趣的人，这本书一定是上佳读物。
——《图书馆杂志》
有趣而全面。梅利洛这项深入的调查提出了一个有说服力的观点——即使是世界上最小的动物，也有着无穷无尽的可能性。
——《出版人周刊》
*人类的文明不止被人类塑造，小小的昆虫如何给人类带来商业财富、刺激帝国野心、创造伟大艺术？
*聚焦少有人研究的“昆虫与人类的生产关系”，反思现代性。
*采用2023年潘通流行色——胭脂虫红为主色调，附赠 “上海百代唱片·周璇” 复古仿78转虫胶唱片卡片。
一提到昆虫或虫子，总让人不免感到厌恶。但实际上，人类的生存离不开昆虫。在漫长的历史进程中，昆虫如魅影般无所不在，并以超乎想象的方式影响人类的文明与发展。
在美洲，使用胭脂虫红有着悠久的历史——阿兹特克人继承了前辈的传统，胭脂虫雌虫被碾碎、制成深红色染料，在几十年甚至几个世纪内都能保持鲜艳的色彩。殖民时期欧洲人对此兴致盎然：红色对他们来说象征着活力。“想象一下，满载着胭脂虫红的船只接连横渡大西洋，每磅胭脂虫红染料都要用7万只被碾碎的雌虫尸体制作而成。”
蚕丝在世界历史和当代社会中都迸发着强大的影响力。罗马人在公元前53年第一次见到了光彩夺目的丝绸，当安息帝国的旗手展开用金线绣成的猩红色丝绸旗帜时，罗马军队呆住了，以至在战争中分了心。丝绸的现代制造工艺与古代的非常相似，这一古老工艺与21世纪的营销手段相结合，确保了丝绸在时装业的中心地位。
虫胶来自紫胶虫的琥珀色树脂分泌物，用于制造包括虫漆、留声机唱盘、种植牙体在内的多种产品。从19世纪90年代虫胶唱片问世，到1962年百代唱片公司将其最后一批78 转虫胶唱片撤下，这些脆弱的凹槽唱片曾经占据了世界各地乐迷的书架。
作为经济昆虫的代表，虫胶、蚕丝、胭脂虫红曾给人类带来利润丰厚的财富，刺激帝国的野心，创造艺术的价值。近些年来，它们又重新成为全球广泛交易的产品。除此之外，人类生活中的许多物质都刻有“昆虫制造”的影子：织物、染料、化妆品、食品添加剂、家具清漆、高科技材料……尽管在迅速到来的合成时代，我们试图复制可替代它们的材料，但其人工合成物却被逐渐证明对人体有毒、对环境有害。一切似乎都在表明：我们对这些六条腿的生物仍将保持长久的依赖。没有昆虫，全球生产业将停滞不前，现代世界的基本特征也会不复存在。
爱德华·梅利洛基于对实验室科学、农业、时尚、美食和历史文献的研究，编织了一部充满活力的昆虫世界史。他不仅了追溯了昆虫对人类历史产生的重要影响，还将研究范围拓展到依托于节肢动物的现代世界的三个领域：遗传科学、作物授粉和全球食品供给。在可预见的未来，这些看似渺小的昆虫不仅将继续塑造我们聆听、品味和观察世界的方式，还将为人类提供源源不断的灵感和物质基础。
【编辑推荐】
1.小小的昆虫对人类世界的影响不容小觑。几千年来，人类的生活都没有离开过 “昆虫制造”：织物、染料、化妆品、食品添加剂、家具清漆、高科技材料……当我们咬一口苹果、听小提琴发出的洪亮音符、看时装模特走猫步、种植牙齿或者做美甲时，我们就已置身于昆虫的创造物之中。甚至连爆汁蚂蚁、高蛋白蟋蟀面粉、脆辣的油炸蚱蜢都将占据我们的食谱！
2.本书并未停留在介绍昆虫本身的种类、习性、破坏性上，而是关注少有人注意到的经济昆虫对人类历史和文明的影响。聚焦研究“昆虫与人类的生产关系”——以虫胶、蚕丝、胭脂虫红等代表性经济昆虫产物为切入点，看昆虫如何给人类带来商业财富、推动帝国发展、创造伟大艺术。
3.通过研究人类与昆虫的关系，反思现代性。昆虫在何种程度上塑造了现代世界？人类进入化学合成时代，我们真的已经摆脱了对天然材料的依赖了吗？如果没有了昆虫，人类生活将受到多大程度的影响？昆虫将如何继续影响世界经济、科技与文化？当“人工的已过时，自然的开始流行”，我们该如何看待人类与自然、人类与动物的关系？
4.美国历史学者爱德华·梅利洛专注于环境和历史研究，其在学术研究和专业写作上屡获殊荣。梅利洛一直在一个名为“商品，自然和社会”的高端历史研讨会上做讲授，涉及九种商品的环境和社会史，包括糖、银、丝、咖啡、烟草、微芯片等。这些为他的研究打开了新的大门，其学术造诣和旨趣让他的研究主题具有广度和深度，视角独特而开放，不仅拓展了我们对昆虫与人类社会、文化关系的深层认识，还为发掘人类与其他自然制品的广泛联系提供依据。
5.附赠“上海百代唱片·周璇” 复古仿78转虫胶唱片卡片。封面用2023年潘通流行色——胭脂虫红定调主色，加上蚕和虫胶元素，一览昆虫给人类世界带来的富丽。
【媒体评论】
这是一个到处充满嗡嗡声的星球。爱德华·梅利洛怀着极大的热情和敬意，提醒我们不要忘记，我们是与许多了不起的生物共享这颗星球的，其中许多是六条腿的生物。我们最好多加注意。
——比尔·麦克基本，《自然的终结》作者
在整个人类历史上，昆虫都无处不在。爱德华·梅利洛的《蝴蝶效应》生动而迷人，表明虫子的重要性丝毫不亚于一位将军和皇帝。
——伊丽莎白·科尔伯特，《大灭绝时代》作者
令人难以释卷，《蝴蝶效应》是对我们与昆虫世界相互交织的存在的巧妙揭示，其深度远远超过大多数人的想象。爱德华·梅利洛集人文主义者、历史学家和科学家于一身，其作品充满魅力和深度。任何对世界如何运作、对生命的存在如何交织保有好奇心和兴趣的人，都应该读一读这本书。
——托马斯·E.洛夫乔伊，《生物多样性与气候变化》的合著者
梅利洛介绍了许多关于昆虫的鲜为人知的事实和洞察时刻，对环境史感兴趣的人，这本书一定是上佳读物。
——《图书馆杂志》
有趣而全面。梅利洛这项深入的调查提出了一个有说服力的观点——即使是世界上最小的动物，也有着无穷无尽的可能性。
——《出版人周刊》
January 30, 2024
Melillo provides anecdotes of enough interest to propel me through his chapters, but his slack prose, weak organization, and superficial thesis hinder what could have been a better book.
Several times, I've had to go back and read the origins of the figurative usage of "taking a shellacking:" the word shows up in boxing and other sports prose in the 1920s, apparently because when a room or a piece of furniture is coated with this natural plastic secreted from tiny insects, it can cause stupor in anyone who hangs around, breathing the fumes. Funny that that's what sticks in the mind, after reading chapter two. Melillo's point was that shellac was an ancient insect-based commodity that suddenly became extremely valuable in the early days of sound recording, which was made on grooved records of shellac. Although shellac was replaced for audio recordings by synthetic vinyl, the substance is still of value as a natural plastic and coating, on many products, including candy and mascara.
There's a deeper point here about the clash of business models -- shellac is produced on much smaller scale than vinyl or other petroleum distillates, and its re-introduction to the global economy could be an early sign of systemic change. After all, replacing the plastics made from petroleum distillates is at least as important and difficult a problem as replacing fossil fuel energy sources. Melillo hovers over this proposition and its massive implications in all of his chapters, without ever confronting it head-on. At another point in the book, in chapter 6, he broaches the term "microfinance," but doesn't even offer us a definition of that term before swinging wildly toward an anecdote he'd rather tell, about the reputation cockroaches have for being very tough. Cockroaches are not actually that tough. Segue to the mass extinction insects are undergoing, subject of a tiny and under-developed mini-essay to end the chapter. One has to question the editor who allowed this young author to even use such a chapter outline, much less publish it without substantial revision.
Not surprisingly, Melillo is at his best when he talks about scientific experimentation. Chapter 8 begins and ends as haphazardly as chapter 6, but folded inside the chapter are wonderful sketches of Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923), an African American scientist who came up with hundreds of experiments to show that insects "remember, learn and feel" -- that bees can remember and adjust the times they come through looking for flowers, and are attracted to flowers by color, for example. Just four years later, in 1927, Karl von Frisch published Aus dem Leben der Bienen (The Dancing Bees), also a fascinating story. One only wonders, the way Melillo juxtaposes these profiles, whether von Frisch was influenced by his American colleague through the international circulation of science publications. Melillo doesn't say. The abrupt treatment of both scientists calls to mind Melillo's anecdotes of Maria Sibylla Merian and her daughter Dorothea, Dutch women who traveled to what was then Dutch Guiana -- now the Republic of Suriname, where they both fell in love with the insects there. Or did they already love insects back in Holland? What motivated the pair to collect, study and draw insects? Melillo mentions their book, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, which certainly deserves much more attention. I'm not sure if a mother-daughter insect drawing adventure has legs for NetFlix, but I'd for sure watch.
Several times, I've had to go back and read the origins of the figurative usage of "taking a shellacking:" the word shows up in boxing and other sports prose in the 1920s, apparently because when a room or a piece of furniture is coated with this natural plastic secreted from tiny insects, it can cause stupor in anyone who hangs around, breathing the fumes. Funny that that's what sticks in the mind, after reading chapter two. Melillo's point was that shellac was an ancient insect-based commodity that suddenly became extremely valuable in the early days of sound recording, which was made on grooved records of shellac. Although shellac was replaced for audio recordings by synthetic vinyl, the substance is still of value as a natural plastic and coating, on many products, including candy and mascara.
There's a deeper point here about the clash of business models -- shellac is produced on much smaller scale than vinyl or other petroleum distillates, and its re-introduction to the global economy could be an early sign of systemic change. After all, replacing the plastics made from petroleum distillates is at least as important and difficult a problem as replacing fossil fuel energy sources. Melillo hovers over this proposition and its massive implications in all of his chapters, without ever confronting it head-on. At another point in the book, in chapter 6, he broaches the term "microfinance," but doesn't even offer us a definition of that term before swinging wildly toward an anecdote he'd rather tell, about the reputation cockroaches have for being very tough. Cockroaches are not actually that tough. Segue to the mass extinction insects are undergoing, subject of a tiny and under-developed mini-essay to end the chapter. One has to question the editor who allowed this young author to even use such a chapter outline, much less publish it without substantial revision.
Not surprisingly, Melillo is at his best when he talks about scientific experimentation. Chapter 8 begins and ends as haphazardly as chapter 6, but folded inside the chapter are wonderful sketches of Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923), an African American scientist who came up with hundreds of experiments to show that insects "remember, learn and feel" -- that bees can remember and adjust the times they come through looking for flowers, and are attracted to flowers by color, for example. Just four years later, in 1927, Karl von Frisch published Aus dem Leben der Bienen (The Dancing Bees), also a fascinating story. One only wonders, the way Melillo juxtaposes these profiles, whether von Frisch was influenced by his American colleague through the international circulation of science publications. Melillo doesn't say. The abrupt treatment of both scientists calls to mind Melillo's anecdotes of Maria Sibylla Merian and her daughter Dorothea, Dutch women who traveled to what was then Dutch Guiana -- now the Republic of Suriname, where they both fell in love with the insects there. Or did they already love insects back in Holland? What motivated the pair to collect, study and draw insects? Melillo mentions their book, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, which certainly deserves much more attention. I'm not sure if a mother-daughter insect drawing adventure has legs for NetFlix, but I'd for sure watch.
September 23, 2020
This is a great book about a great topic. Melillo mainly focuses on how insects have and continue to impact humans in significant ways; economically (for good and ill), environmentally, and culturally. Perhaps most interesting to me is the section on shellac (from lac bugs) which is used on everything from fingernail polish to the records that predated vinyl. This material even seems to be part of the mysterious cocktail that went into making Stradivarius violins. Insects provide food, the possibility of food (through pollinating insects), dyes, fabrics, and medical diagnoses.
Melillo repeatedly emphasizes that the synthetic materials we have developed to replace insect products are either far inferior or even dangerous for humans or the environment. This book is a great reminder that we are dependent on insects in ways we barely understand and that to underestimate their importance is folly. I recommend this book along with Schmidt's The Sting of the Wild and Dunn's never home alone for a great trifecta on insects and their importance.
Melillo repeatedly emphasizes that the synthetic materials we have developed to replace insect products are either far inferior or even dangerous for humans or the environment. This book is a great reminder that we are dependent on insects in ways we barely understand and that to underestimate their importance is folly. I recommend this book along with Schmidt's The Sting of the Wild and Dunn's never home alone for a great trifecta on insects and their importance.
March 1, 2021
As an entomologist, I'm always on the lookout for entomology books that are accessible for a non-specialist audience and enjoyable to read. It's a bonus if they're interdisciplinary, tying science to history and art. This one fits the bill perfectly. Chapter 1 is a good general introduction with many examples of how insects have influence human culture. Chapters 2-4 do deep dives on particular products derived from insects (shellac, silk, and cochineal) and their roles in history. Chapter 5 brings the book up to the present, describing how reliance on insect products continues even well into the age of synthetics, and brings up the global insect decline. Chapter 6 describes the many scientific advancements made possible by fruit flies, 7 gives an overview of insect pollinators, and 8 provides an overview of entomophagy (the practice of eating insects). It's a quick read for a nonfiction book and full of interesting trivia throughout. This is a great read all around, but I particularly recommend it to any students competing in the Entomological Society of America's Entomology Games.
May 11, 2021
A book about the intertwine relationship between insects and humans throughout history has completely change my perspective on the insects all around us. I’ll admit that at first I felt like I was constantly getting info dumped on every page I turned, but over time I got used to the writing style and really understood most of what it was telling me. Edward’s writing style is very good at explaining things that even if you had no prior knowledge to whatever it’s talking about, you’ll get an idea of what it is by the end of the chapter. This book also gives us not only the opinions of one side, but also the other(which is something I always enjoy). There are times where the author does express their opinion, but it always comes supported with proven information. This book is sure to stick with you for a very long time.
July 9, 2022
Been putting off reading this since like 2020 because I had other interesting stuff and I thought this one wasn’t as cool but I was wrong. It was pretty short for a book on biology but it was still great to read. Started with three substances silk, shellac, and choccineal that were important for most of civilization and how they are still used in the modern day. The second half was discussing how other insects impact the world in ways such as genetic research, pollination, and as a good substance for the rest of the world.
September 19, 2025
What a wonderful book, filled with general information about anything regarding insects. The enthusiastic author tells us all sorts of facts and statistics about the insect world, shining the light on many matters to make our appreciation for these critters grow. His key focus is on products that are primarily produced by these little creatures and the importance of these products in the history of humankind.
Make no mistake, insects are essential to our planets health and the livelihood of our species.
Make no mistake, insects are essential to our planets health and the livelihood of our species.
February 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did a good job scripting an engaging narrative. The book wasn't extremely technical and related entomology to many different subjects. I enjoyed learning about how insects have played a role in history and different product I never realized had insects in them I had no idea really old records or old furniture finish had were made with insects.
November 6, 2023
I loved this book! If you enjoy nature and history, this is an excellent combo of the two subjects. It reminds me of Song of the Dodo, which I also loved.
It is also a unique telling of the plight and importance of insects. I’ve read a lot on this topic, and I still learned new things from this book.
It is also a unique telling of the plight and importance of insects. I’ve read a lot on this topic, and I still learned new things from this book.
September 16, 2025
I picked up this book because I love bugs and it had butterflies on the cover but unfortunately it doesn’t talk about butterflies :( I really enjoyed the first half but I wish the second half did more of a deep dive on more bugs instead of a overview of current cultural attitudes. I liked it and found it pretty easy to read but I wish it had a broader scope.
March 3, 2021
Everyday we encounter thousands of insects in some form. This is a fascinating book on the history and science of insects and their relationship to our world and industry. It is an academic read, full of facts.
March 21, 2022
LOVE!!
One of the best entemology books I've read so far. Always intruqueing and ever informative. I'm looking forward to re-reading it because there's so much information (without being overwhelming) that I'm sure I missed a few things.
One of the best entemology books I've read so far. Always intruqueing and ever informative. I'm looking forward to re-reading it because there's so much information (without being overwhelming) that I'm sure I missed a few things.
October 13, 2022
Excellent,gives lots of information on insects and how dependent humans are on insects…silk, genetic studies, pollination, even insect based diet, just some examples.
“Insects do not depend on humans for survival, but humans depend on insects for survival”, quote from the book.
“Insects do not depend on humans for survival, but humans depend on insects for survival”, quote from the book.
September 1, 2020
Audio Book. Never finished.
October 1, 2020
Interesting and easy to follow. the first part is about 3 bugs/bug products that have been used by humans and cannot be made with science (silk, shellac, and cochineal).
December 17, 2020
I have both a new appreciation for bugs and want to try eating a grasshopper.
March 24, 2021
Written very dry. It's not really a book that grabbed me. I usually love nonfiction of this calibre, as well. It's a shame.
April 7, 2021
We need to pay attention to the disappearance of insects in our lives.
April 22, 2021
Despite only focusing on a few examples, the book still fulfills its premise in a persuasive way.
April 28, 2021
Definitely about the ‘effect’ of insects on humans not so much about the insects themselves, but there are a lot of interesting facts woven throughout. Good book.
May 12, 2021
bug eating propaganda
June 21, 2021
Easy to read , scientific, will appeal to non-science readers.
Well-organized, what I already knew was put in perspective
We need our insect friends
Well-organized, what I already knew was put in perspective
We need our insect friends
Read
July 4, 2021DNF'd 20%
December 21, 2021
Kind of all over the place. Starts out as a sort of monograph on human uses of three insect materials but by the end he’s talking about Gregor Mendel and Greek cicada poetry
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