Introduction to California Beetles (California Natural History Guides) [Paperback]

Arthur V. Evans (Author), James N. Hogue (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520240359 | ISBN-13: 978-0520240353 | Publication Date: March 29, 2004 | Edition: 1

The amazing armored bodies of beetles allow them to bore into plant tissue, navigate fast-moving streams, burrow through seemingly impenetrable soil, survive blistering heat, and fly. With around 8,000 species living in California, beetles represent the largest and most diverse group of organisms in the state and are an excellent subject for study since they can be found almost everywhere--in backyards, gardens, forests, and deserts. This, the only guide to California beetles available, is the perfect book for anyone--from outdoor enthusiasts to professional biologists--who wants to explore the fascinating world of beetles. In addition to providing information on where to find and how to study beetles, the book also gives an engaging and accessible overview of their natural history, biology, distribution, and relation to humans.
* 51 color illustrations and supporting black-and-white photographs and drawings identify the characteristics and habits of 23 of the most conspicuous and interesting beetle families in California
* Chapters describe beetles of special interest--fossil species, endangered species, pests, biological control agents, and more
* Includes an annotated list of terrestrial and aquatic beetle habitats by season, information on starting and caring for a beetle collection, details on keeping beetles alive in the classroom, and a checklist of California beetle families

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"This is a very important work that could have only been accomplished by experts who have had a lifelong love of beetles." --David L. Wood, author of Pests of the Native California Conifers

"Any outdoorsy person who pays more than passing attention to insects will want to make room for this book in their day packs."--Michael Caterino, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

From the Back Cover

"This is a very important work that could have only been accomplished by experts who have had a lifelong love of beetles." -David L. Wood, author of Pests of the Native California Conifers "Any outdoorsy person who pays more than passing attention to insects will want to make room for this book in their day packs."-Michael Caterino, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (March 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520240359
• ISBN-13: 978-0520240353
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Arthur V. Evans studied at the California State University at Long Beach where he received his bachelor's degree (1981) in entomology and master's degree (1984) in biology. He then attended the University of Pretoria, South Africa and earned his doctoral degree (1988) in entomology. Evans is a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Natural History Museum, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

He lectures widely on arthropod biology, especially beetles. Evans has published 25 scientific papers on the systematics, biology and identification of scarab beetles, as well as over 100 popular articles and books on insects and spiders. He was a contributing author and photographer to volume II of American Beetles, published by CRC Press (2002) and was co-author of An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles, published by University of California Press (2000). He was a contributing writer for A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, published by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the University of California (1999). He also coauthored two books on California beetles, Introduction to California Beetles (2004) and Field Guide to Beetles of California (2006), both published by University of California Press. Evans was also coeditor and contributing writer for the volume on insects for Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia (2004). He authored the three invertebrate volumes (insects, arachnids, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids) for the companion series, Grzimek's Student Animal Life Resource (2005). His National Wildlife Foundation Field Guide to Insects and Spider of North America, published by Sterling Publishing Co., appeared in 2007.

His latest book, What's Bugging You? A fond look at animals we love to hate (University of Virginia Press, 2008) is a collection of his first 51 columns in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He is currently working on two more books, Introduction to Insects of Virginia and the Carolinas (University of Virginia Press), and Field Guide to Beetles of Eastern North America (Princeton University Press).

Evans also teams up with WCVE Public Radio producer Steve Clark in Richmond, VA for a weekly feature that airs during NPR's Morning Edition. The program "What's Bugging You - A fond Look at the Animals We Love to Hate" airs each Tuesday morning at 8:35 AM (EST). The program is archived at http://ideastations.org/radio/bugs.

"Dr. Art Evans, entomologist" is on Facebook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to California Beetles is really an introduction to IPM, February 15, 2007

By 

Ruth Troetschler (Los Altos, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to California Beetles (California Natural History Guides) (Paperback)

An an entomologist I was really a little disappointed in this book because it has very few pictures of beetles and seemed unbalanced for the target audience. I you want an introduction to the life history and ecology of some of the most important beetles, this is the book for you -- but be prepared to struggle through some hard vocabulary. (For example, microfossils, radiocarbon dating (undefined), Pleistocene matrix, and faunal are found on page 100). If you want to identify beetles, purchase a field guide.