The Bees of the World [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Professor Charles D. Michener (Author) "Since ancient times, people have been drawn to the study of bees..." (more)
Key Phrases: inner hind tibial spur, propodeal triangle, basitibial plate, South America, North America, South Africa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Michener has produced what is properly labeled a magnum opus. Ambrosia." -- David W. Roubik, Science

"This definitive reference by an acclaimed expert accounts for 1200 genera/subgenera and 16,000 species of bees in the world... Useful guide for entomologists, biologists, botanists, ecologists, and students." -- Southeastern Naturalist

"Magnificent book... Should appeal not only to entomologists interested in bees, but also to ecologists looking for an overview of bee biology." -- Christopher O'Toole, Nature

Review

"It is a masterpiece, an instant classic of entomology." -- Edward O. Wilson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 952 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801861330
• ISBN-13: 978-0801861338
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,097,106 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bees of the Worlda must-have book, September 13, 2002

By	Matthew Shepherd (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

Anybody with a serious interest in bees -- and by that I don't mean just honey bees and beekeeping, but the thousands of other species that provide the fundamental service of pollination in both natural and agricultural ecosystems -- must seriously consider getting this book. It will be an invaluable resource for both those studying insects and those studying plants, for plant conservation is intimately wrapped up with the survival of their pollinators.

This is a magnum opus in both senses of the word. It is a big book, with over 900 pages, containing a wealth of information on bees. It is also a product of over half a century's research and learning by the world's foremost authority on bees, Charles Michener. His efforts, and those of the subsequent generations of researchers spawned from his lab at the University of Kansas, have been the foundation of our current state of bee knowledge.

At first glance, the book might appear intimidating: a heavy tome printed in a small font size, with black-and-white diagrams. The only respite seems to be a series of gorgeous color plates featuring the amazing photos of Edward S. Ross and Paul Westrich. A few minutes with it will quickly show you that it is a rich source of accurate information, and despite its technical content, well written and readable.

Broken into a series of sections, it provides complete coverage of bees and their biology. The first is a general discussion of bee biology (nesting, floral relationships, parasites, sociality, etc.); the second, explains the structure of bees and their origins; the third, bee taxonomy; and the fourth, (the bulk of the book) contains keys to identify bees and chapters on each family or subfamily with notes on each genera (distribution, floral preference, if any, etc.). This is accompanied by an extensive bibliography and reference list. This book will not only help you understand the ecological requirements of bees but also enable you to identify them to sub-genus level.

The price might deter you; it certainly gave me pause for thought. Having finally taken the plunge and purchased a copy I have no qualms at all about the expense. This is an astonishing work of scholarship. To have so much information gathered into one volume is invaluable. This is likely to remain the standard work of reference for many years.

Matthew Shepherd
Pollinator Program Director, The Xerces Society

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Classic, February 23, 2008

By	J. A. Haverstick (Lancaster, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Bees of the World (Hardcover)

Yes, seems to me it's gone up in price since I bought mine. That's the trend with some of these well-produced academic type references that also appeal to wider public. Unfortunately,if you're interested in the natural history of these animals, you'll have to get it.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book was too much for me, January 6, 2008

By	Ruth Troetschler (Los Altos, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Bees of the World (Hardcover)

I purchased this massive book to help identify the many wild bees which are present in my area. However, although I am an entomologist, but not a taxonomist, I found it too difficult to use easily. It is not for use unless you are studying a dead specimen. I like to photograph insects and determine their species or family. This book will not easily enable you to do this. Another drawback is the lack of colored illustrations.