The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Insects: A Natural History and Identification Guide

by Martin Walters

This beautifully illustrated book provides an overview of the world of insects. Beginning with a look at the evolution of the insect family the introduction looks at every aspect of insect life including their basic anatomy, their fascinating life cycles, and their social organization within colonies and nests. How insects jump, leap and fly, the methods by which they defend themselves and their colonies from attack, and the methods by which they eat, including sucking, biting, chewing, grinding, and filter feeding are all included. Without insect life human activity would cease. An in-depth look at each of the orders that makes up the insect group, with examples of many common species, completes the front section of the book. The encyclopedia of insect species is organized according to geographical region adn then by insect order. Every insect order is included, from the tiniest opaque wingless creature to the largest and most spectacular beetle. The most common species from each are included, and many are illustrated with beautifully detailed watercolours. Each entry profiles the physical traits and characteristics of the different creatures. Identification details are provided for each such as body colour and segmentation, insect shape and size, a description of the habitat where each can be found and the time of year, if appropriate. - A wide-ranging, expert identification guide toevery order of the insect world including fleas, beetles, cockroaches and crickets, as well as manyless visible creatures - Identification details are provided for more than650 insect species, and many are illustrated withspecially commissioned watercolours - Includes an in-depth look at insect defencemechanisms such as camouflage, mimicry, hissing, bites and stings, and colouration that suggests danger - Each stage of the insect life cycle is described withillustrations depicting different development phases - 1000 spectacular photographs and anatomicallycorrect watercolours provide a fascinating visualrecord of the insect world

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Reference

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2009

Reviews

[kaya ♱ · Rating 2 out of 5]

saur cute not enough bugs tho !

[Cassie Holmes-Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has really nice illustrations, but some of the information is a bit bland or altogether incorrect and contradicts previous pages.
In the index, it is stated that the TseTse fly is mentioned on page 120, but this is incorrect. It is mentioned on page 122.
On page 140, the book describes springtails are true insects, when in reality they are not considered true insects anymore. This contradicts an earlier page where it explains how springtails are no longer considered true insects.
The book could have also explained the reasoning as to why Collembola, diplura and Protura are no long considered true insects, but bristletails and silverfish remain as true insects.
I had to do further research to find out why: Collembola, diplura and Protura all have internal mouthparts, whereas bristletails and silverfish have external mouthparts.

[Annie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cool school resource!

[Dill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does exactly what it needs to; it's a very wide yet shallow reach of information for beginners. Very simple and introductory, so it doesn't delve deeply into many subjects.

Great illustrations :)

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information -often repetitive. Good illustrations. Weirdly organized.

[Jessica]

Title:
The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Insects: A Natural History and Identification Guide to Beetles, Flies, Bees, Wasps, Mayflies, Dragonflies, Cockroaches, Mantids, Earwigs, Ants and Many More
Author: Martin Walters

Item Call Number:
ISBN 0754819094 (ISBN13: 9780754819097)

Location:
http://www.worldcat.org/title/illustr...

Description:
An identification guide to every order of the insect world including fleas, beetles, cockroaches and crickets, as well as many less visible creatures. It includes an in-depth look at insect defense mechanisms such as camouflage, mimicry, hissing, bites and stings, and coloration that suggests danger.

Relevance and Relationship:
Most elementary students are interested in the insect world. This encyclopedia would make a great resource to add to the current collection because kids would be interested in searching through it.

Purpose:
Many teachers at the elementary level assign science-based projects, papers, etc. about insects. This would be a great resource for students to turn to when researching insects for a project or assignment.

Validity:
Lots of valid information pertaining to insects. It offers an identification guide to every order of the insect world. It has received many positive reviews as well as 5 out of 5 stars.

Format:
Hardcover, 256 pages

Arrangement and Presentation:
This illustrated book provides an overview of the world of insects. The encyclopedia of insect species is organized according to geographical region and then by insect order.

Diversity:
This encyclopedia can be used by all students or teachers.

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an encyclopedia, full of all kinds of information about bugs. I picked up a number of factoids. The first part of it had sections about classification, anatomy, and other general bug information. Then it had a directory of a brief description of a selected number of bugs. There are just so many bugs! It had them divided into bugs that could be found in different parts of the world. Interesting to see that though there are exotic bugs, for the most part, bugs are rather similar wherever you go.

[Jaguar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. I really liked how they had the insects separated into different sections such as Insects of Asia & Australia, Insects of Americas, etc.