*Starred Review* Insects, comprising more than 80 percent of the approximately 1.5 million animal species that have been formally identified by scientists, play a significant role in our everyday lives. Honeybees pollinate crops; mosquitoes are both a nuisance and potential carrier of disease; cockroaches are unwelcome house guests; butterflies delight children. Written at a level accessible to college students in introductory biology courses as well as motivated laypeople by an entomologist with more than 20 years' experience as a teacher, this guide focuses on families of northeastern North American insects. The geographic scope is loosely defined as east of the Mississippi and north of the state of Georgia.
Arranged in chapters by scientific classification, this work furnishes general information on insect orders and families as well as more specific data on representative individual species. Chapters cover 13 big groups of insects, for example, "Cockroaches, Termites, Mantids and Other Orthopteroids"; "Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids"; "Butterflies and Moths"; "Flies, Scorpionflies and Fleas"; and "Sawflies, Wasps, Bees, and Ants." Each chapter begins with an essay highlighting the characteristics of the group, its natural history, and interesting sidelights on individual species. A separate chapter on observing, collecting, and photographing insects is included.
Some 4,000 detailed color photographs of individual species in their natural environments afford the user the opportunity to view the insects as they appear in life. More than 50 pages of illustrated keys to the identification of insect groups are designed to be as user-friendly as possible; technical taxonomic terms such aspronotum and scutellum are illustrated within the key. Icons alert the user to corresponding photographs and further identification keys. A 21-page "Index of Photographs" refers the reader to page numbers of insects by genus and species as well as some common names. There are no references from broad common insect names such as ladybugs or mosquitoes; therefore, searching by genus and species yields the best results. A separate 23-page general index supplies page references to orders, superfamilies, and families of insects.
Firefly is also the publisher of Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders (2003), which, with its broader geographic range and lower price, might be a first choice for smaller libraries. Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity is notable for its numerous color photographs, accessible language, and relatively simple-to-use identification keys. It is highly recommended for public, academic, and special libraries, particularly those in northeastern North America. Nancy Cannon
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity isn't for the general-interest holding so much as the college-level collection catering to entomologists. Insects of Eastern North America are the focus in a jam-packed colorful reference displaying insects within their order and including notes on their introduction, habitats, coloring and more. It's the professional's solid reference to identification and habits, making it a top basic reference pick for serious science libraries. (
Bookwatch 20070501)
[Selected as one of Booklist's Editors' Choice, 2006: Reference Sources] Detailed color photographs... designed to be as user-friendly as possible. (
Booklist 20070101)
Dazzling and tremendously helpful to anyone who wants to know about insects... I'm honored to hold it in my hands. (Ed Kanze
Hersam Acorn Newspapers (NY State) 20060914)
[Winner, General Competition, 2006 Science in Society Journalism Awards, National Association of Science Writers] (
National Association of Science Writers 20070616)
[Selection, 2007 RUSA Outstanding Reference Source, Reference and User Services Association [RUSA] Committee] "A wealth of information is provided for the work's less-than-$100 price." (Jeff Schwartz, 2007 Chair, RUSA Reference Sources
American Libraries 200705)
Winner of the 2006 Science In Society Journalism Award in the General Book competition (
Canadian Science Writers' Association)
Best Books 2007, Junior High & Young Adult, Zoological Sciences (
Science Books & Films 20080201)
An impressive book.... Informative and fascinating. (N. Glenn Perrett
Sideroads of Caledon and Erin 200704)
Magnificent... thousands of photographs that allow identification of almost any insect to family and many to genus or species... a delight to read due to Marshall's wry sense of humor and idiosyncratic enthusiasms. (Frederic F. Burchsted
American Reference Books Annual 2007)
[Selected as one of 2007's Outstanding Reference Sources] Some 4,000 detailed color photographs of individual species in their natural environments afford the user the opportunity to view the insects as they appear in life. (Reference Sources Committee, ALA Reference and Use
Booklist 20070515)
[A] jam-packed colorful reference ... for serious science libraries. (Diane C. Donovan
The Midwest Book Review 200705)
I cannot wait to try this text in my insect-biology class... This is an outstanding contribution to entomology. It will play an important role in the training of insect lovers for the foreseeable future. (William E. Conner
American Scientist 200609)
[revised ed.] This volume is big, beautiful, well written, and informative.... I recommend this truly valuable tome very highly; it should be in every high school, college, and municipal library in northeastern North America. (Paul P. Shubeck, emeritus, Montclair State Univers
Science Books and Film 200710)
Whether one is seeking mastery of an understanding of insects or is content with occasionally satisfying his or her curiosity about a particular encounter with an insect, this volume is an excellent resource. The book has coffee-table quality combined with practitioner-level relevance. (Marvin K. Harris
Science Books and Films 200607)
The perfect reference book even for those of us with a limited interest in bugs. The book is perfect for birders... To spend an afternoon comparing bugs and pictures, learning about what is in the backyard and having this intimate glimpse into a bird's life is heavenly to me. (Noreen O'Brien
Main Courier-Gazette 20060803)
For the backyard enthusiast... Marshall designed this books so that a reader can easily identify just about any given bug by order or family. (Nathan Whitlock
Quill and Quire 20060801)
Outstanding and should be on the bookshelf of every natural historian -- insect lover or not -- in eastern North America... ideally suited for anyone with an interest in insects, from the curious backyard observer to the experienced field naturalist or professional biologist... comprehensive, easy-to-use ... a beautiful and informative guide... loaded with 4000 stunning photographs made by the author, thus offering a level of uniformity between illustration and description often absent in many such books. Indeed, the photography is so spectacular that this volume could stand alone as a coffee table book of insects... contains a wealth of biological facts and natural history trivia... Put simply, not only is this book a wonderful field guide, it will serve as a fertile source of research ideas for students of entomology... It would not surprise me if, decades from now, professional biologists credit Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity with inspiring them to do what they do -- it's that good. (Clint D. Kelly, Postdoctoral Fellow, Natural Scien
BioScience (American Institute of Biological Scien 200612)
With over 4000 color photographs taken virtually all in the wild, this book is the most comprehensive photographic overview of insects ever published... The breadth of this book, covering all the insect diversity in eastern North America, including a tremendous amount of biological information that is explained and captured with wonderful photographs, will ensure that the book is a landmark reference in entomology for years to come. (Jeffrey Cumming
Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada 200606)
Magnificent ... an exceptionally large "field guide" that laboratory workers with some background will find indispensable, but that anyone at all interested in insects will warmly welcome. ... Countless photographs (many of rarely viewed insect families/species) make it an unmatched resource. ... fantastic variety of illustrated species ... This remarkable book is destined to become a fixture in all general entomological collections. Summing Up: Essential. All levels. (P.K. Lago, University of Mississippi
Choice 20061101)
[Selected as one of the "Outstanding Academic Titles" for 2006] (
Choice 200701)
[STARRED REVIEW] This amazing six-pound volume, which offers more than 4000 excellent color photographs and concise, accurate information about every major insect family worldwide... Bottom Line: This book is simply bigger, prettier, and more comprehensive than any previous publication on insects and will be useful to amateur and professional alike. It belongs in every public and school library. (Annette Aiello
Library Journal 20060915)
[starred review] Written at a level accessible to college students in introductory biology courses as well as motivated laypeople... Some 4,000 detailed color photographs of individual species in their natural environments afford the user the opportunity to view the insects as they appear in life. More than 50 pages of illustrated keys to the identification of insect groups are designed to be as user-friendly as possible.... Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity is notable for its numerous color photographs, accessible language, and relatively simple-to-use identification keys. It is highly recommended for public, academic, and special libraries, particularly those in northeastern North America. (Nancy Cannon
Booklist 20061015)
When this book first crossed my desk, to say that I was instantly enamored would be an understatement. It was beautiful, the cover adorned with a stunning jewel-toned dogbane beetle... I almost didn't want to crack the binding [but] once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. Visually stunning... Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity has the look and feel of a glossy coffee table book while still being full of accurate, well-researched information... Priced so as not to be cost prohibitive ... clearly written in plain language, it will be highly accessible to a broad audience, including naturalists, amateur entomologists as well as seasoned professionals. The author has also included a dollop of humour and wit throughout.... This book would make a great textbook for a natural history or general entomology course... With its depth of scope and true to life photographs Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity would be indispensable in the field. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it whole-heartedly to anyone who has an interest in entomology, natural history or a simple curiosity about the six-legged world that surrounds us (Gina Penny, Department of Biology, St. Francis Xav
Canadian Field Naturalist, vol. 120, no. 1, Jan-Ma 20060101)
[Selected as one of the "Best Reference Books of 2006"] (Brian E. Coutts and Cheryl LaGuardia
Library Journal 20070415)
This volume is an incredibly important, masterfully written, and profusely illustrated work that belongs in the library of every field biologist, educator, student and naturalist who professes more than just a passing interest in insects. It is also an essential reference work for city, school, and university libraries.... I heartily applaud Stephen Marshall's efforts and skill in crafting such a beautiful, useful, and engaging book that is destined to become a natural history classic. (Arthur V. Evans, Research Collaborator, Dept of En
The Coleopterists Bulletin 61(3), 2007 2007)
Groundbreaking. (J.B. MacKinnon
Explore 200710)
Clearly this represents the life work of a fine scientist.... I urge every library to make them available. (Gerry Rising, State University of New York Disting
The Buffalo News and Buffalo University www.acsu.b 20080302)
(starred review) If fascinating isn't a word you tend to use in conversations about canker worms...or any other arthropod with a head, thorax, and abdomen, Marshall is determined to change your way of thinking. He accomplished this with information about members of the 33 insect orders that is clear and in places absolutely riveting. This biological and ecological knowledge is enhanced by more than 4000 photographs that he has taken of insects in their natural habitats.... The volume's value to younger children should not be overlooked.... Marshall's Insects is an invaluable resource for those who want to know more about the biology and behaviour of a particular insect and for those interested in biodiversity, insect classification, and the impact of insects on commerce and human health. Highly Recommended. (Barbara McMillan
Canadian Materials 2006)
This volume is big, beautiful, well written, and informative.... Very few insect books describe or show as many insects as this author has... Each family is introduced in several pages of excellent text and is followed by hundreds of photographs with fact-filled captions.... The material is up to date, the text remarkably free of typographical errors, and the book is printed on fine-quality paper. In addition to describing the diversity, natural history, and behavior of insects, the author provides many examples of insects being used for biological control. The final chapter offers suggestions for collecting, preserving, and photographing insects. A very well illustrated key to insect families and to some common insect larvae is included. I recommend this truly valuable tome very highly; it should be in every high school, college, and municipal library in northeastern North America. (
Science Books and Film 201006)
Stunning... a powerful, "must-have" identification tool... The strength of the work is the collection of over 4,000 color photographs (and) well-written captions. Most of the images are of living insects in the field, including many uncommon species I'd wager most entomologists have never seen alive... It is hard to describe the mix of awe, amazement, and perhaps intimidation at Marshall's photographic and entomological accomplishment... There is simply no book approaching the comprehensiveness of Marshall's. It is in a league of its own. (Derek Sikes, University of Alaska Museum, Fairbank
American Entomology, Vol. 54, No. 1, Spring 2008, 20080301)
