The Complete Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Insects: A Natural History and Identification Guide to Beetles, Flies, Bees, Wasps, Mayflies, ... Mantids, Earwigs, Ants, and Many More - Couverture souple

Walters Martin

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1846813565 ISBN 13 : 9781846813566

Editeur : Southwater, 2017

Synopsis

An authoritative visual identification guide to every order of the insect world including fleas, beetles, cockroaches and crickets, wasps, bees, spiders, moths, butterflies, as well as many more microscopic creatures Features a stunning worldwide directory detailing more than 650 insect species, with detailed descriptions to aid identification and superb watercolours Includes an in-depth look at insect defence mechanisms such as camouflage, mimicry, hissing, claws for nipping, mouthparts for biting and chewing, as well as stings, and bright colouration that suggests danger Each stage of the life cycle of each group of insects is described with illustrations depicting different development phases from egg, larva, pupa and adult 750 spectacular illustrations and photographs provide a fascinating visual record of the insect world Insects belong to a group known as arthropods, and collectively they are the most successful living animal group on the planet. More than 1 million insects have been named and described and scientists believe there are millions more awaiting identification. These creatures live in the air, on water and on land and are everywhere around us. They thrive in the most inhospitable regions of the world, from extreme arctic conditions to hot and arid lands. Collectively the group includes many easily recognisable families such as beetles, flies, wasps, stick insects, dragonflies and ants, as well as many lesser-known and microscopic creatures that are not visible to the naked eye. 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 organisation 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 and 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, description of the habitat where each can be found and the time of year, if appropriate. Differences between male and female species are included as well as changes in appearance at each life stage. In addition, up to four more species of note are described from each order. More than 750 finely detailed illustrations and photographs make this a spectacularly visual book to be enjoyed by all natural history enthusiasts.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Martin Walters is a writer, editor and naturalist. He studied Zoology at Oxford University, and worked for several years as Biological Sciences Editor at Cambridge University Press where he was responsible for developing the botany, ecology and natural history lists, before becoming a freelance editor and writer. He is a keen field naturalist, with a special interest in botany, birds, habitats and conservation. Martin has published regularly, including field guides to birds and flowers, and nature reference books, and he collaborates with the People and Plants Initiative of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), organizing their publications. He has also translated and adapted natural history books, including books on birds and botany, and is General Editor of the recent Travellers' Nature Guides to Britain, France, Greece and Spain (Oxford University Press), co-author of the Nature Guide to Britain in that series, and contributed much of the text on natural habitats to the popular reference books Earth and Plant(Dorling Kindersley). He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and an Associate of WWF.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Southwater
• Date d'édition: 2017
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1846813565
• ISBN 13: 9781846813566
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 256
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible