Book Description

This book highlights the very successful and much diversified group of organisms, the insects, and deals with some interesting aspects of insect life, which are often ignored in entomology textbooks. There are chapters on ants making "slaves;" insect migrations; chemical defence strategies; parental care and love; AIDS and insects; killer bees; and intelligence. The book also includes first-hand experiences of the great traveller-naturalist Prof. P. Jolivet, who narrates the re-emergence of the 17-year-cycle cicada in the USA in May 2004; the occurrence of insects on the great tepuys of Venezuela; marching of army ants in the tropical Africa; and much more. Pierre Jolivet, D. Sc., has written many research papers and books on the beetle family Chrysomelidae. His areas of special interest include the biology of Timarcha, food plants of chrysomelids, and ants-plants relationship. He has co-edited four important books on Chrysomelidae: Biology of Chrysomelidae (1988), Novel Aspects of the Biology of Chrysomelidae (1994), Chrysomelidae Biology, in three volumes (1996), and New Developments in the Biology of Chrysomelidae (2004). In recognition of Dr Jolivet's valuable contribution in the subject, the Fifth International Symposium on Chrysomelidae, held in Aug. 2000 in Brazil, was named after him. K.K. Verma, M. Sc., Ph. D., taught zoology and entomology for over 35 years, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in M.P. Government Colleges, India. He has also specialized in the functional morphology and physiology of Chrysomelidae. He has to his credit a number of outstanding papers published in both Indian and international journals. In 2002, he co-authored a book, Biology of Leaf Beetles, summarizing the current knowledge about leaf beetles. This appropriately illustrated, eclectic volume of short essays, written with enthusiasm, grace and wit by two knowledgeable, broadly experienced insect scientists, will assist the entomologically uninitiated to appreciate the wonders and complexity of the small creatures whose environment humans inhabit, and will expand the horizons of the initiated with refreshing and useful insights into a wide variety of entomological topics. George E. Ball, entomologist, professor emeritus, University of Alberta, Canada This book is written with panache, highlighting the extraordinary adaptations shown by insects. People will eventually awaken to the amazing insect biodiversity that surrounds us. With this book, we are encouraged to follow a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of insects. Christian Mille, entomologist, Institut Agronomique neo-Caledonien, La Foa, Nouvelle-Caledonie This original and unusual book on truly fascinating creatures, not casually dedicated to Jean-Henry Fabre, is not a handbook for identification of insects, or an "official" text of entomology. It is a travel guide -- reflecting the journeys and experiences of the authors throughout the world -- into different aspects of the life of the most diverse extant group of organisms ... I would recommend this book both to students and nature lovers who would find in it much to learn about insects, as well as to professionals. Achille Casale, professor of zoology and entomology, University of Sassari, Italy Fascinating as Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, but here, they are real life-experiences under the tropics, incredible but true, related with talent. Yves Delange, professor of botany, National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France