A journey into the weird, wonderful and truly astonishing lives of the small but mighty creatures who keep the world turning.Out of sight, underfoot, unseen beyond fleeting scuttles or darting flights, insects occupy a hidden world, yet are essential to sustaining life on earth.Insects influence our ecosystem like a ripple effect on water. They arrived when life first moved to dry land, they preceded and survived the dinosaurs, they outnumber the grains of sand on all the worlds beaches, and they will be here long after us.Working quietly but tirelessly, they give us food, uphold our ecosystems, can heal our wounds and even digest plastic. They could also provide us with new solutions to the antibiotics crisis, assist in disaster zones and inspire airforce engineers with their flying techniques.But their private lives are also full of fun, intrigue and wonder musical mating rituals; house-hunting for armies of beetle babies; metamorphosing into new characters; throwing parties in fermenting sap; cultivating fungi for food; farming smaller species for honey dew and always ensuring that what is dead is decomposed, ready to become life once again.Here, we will discover life and death, drama and dreams, all on a millimetric scale. Like it or not, Earth is the planet of insects, and this is their extraordinary story.

Welcome to the hidden world of the most popular bugs on Earth. Opening the beautiful and accessible pages of this book is like turning over a series of stones under which you'll find a fascinating array of the world's coolest creepy-crawlies. This fully photographic book profiles bugs, beetles, wasps, bees, ants, caterpillars, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, flies, crickets and grasshoppers, and centipedes and millipedes. These profiles are accompanied by Did You Know? facts and fast facts including scientific name, size, diet, and habitat. Front matter includes a How to Use spread and thematic spreads covering topics from prehistoric insects to bugs around the world. In short, this book includes everything a young fact-hound needs to discover the weird, wacky, diverse, and fascinating world of bugs.

This enthusiastic, witty, and informative introduction to the world of insects and why we could not survive without them is “a joy” (The Times, London) and “charming...Highlighting them in all their buzzing, stinging, biting glory” (The New York Times Book Review).\\nInsects comprise roughly half of the animal kingdom. They live everywhere—deep inside caves, 18,000 feet high in the Himalayas, inside computers, in Yellowstone’s hot springs, and in the ears and nostrils of much larger creatures. There are insects that have ears on their knees, eyes on their penises, and tongues under their feet. Most of us think life would be better without bugs. In fact, life would be impossible without them.\\nMost of us know that we would not have honey without honeybees, but without the pinhead-sized chocolate midge, cocoa flowers would not pollinate. No cocoa, no chocolate. The ink that was used to write the Declaration of Independence was derived from galls on oak trees, which are induced by a small wasp. The fruit fly was essential to medical and biological research experiments that resulted in six Nobel prizes. Blowfly larva can clean difficult wounds; flour beetle larva can digest plastic; several species of insects have been essential to the development of antibiotics. Insects turn dead plants and animals into soil. They pollinate flowers, including crops that we depend on. They provide food for other animals, such as birds and bats. They control organisms that are harmful to humans. Life as we know it depends on these small creatures.\\n“Delivering a hail of facts with brio and precision” (Nature) Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson shows us that there is more variety among insects than we thought possible and the more you learn about insects, the more fascinating they become. Extraordinary Insects is “a very enthusiastic look at the flying, crawling, stinging bug universe world, and why we should cherish it” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).\\n**Note: This book was previously published under the title Buzz, Sting, Bite.

This fun, photo-filled, and fact-packed guide to insects will make kids stop and look for all kinds of these crawling and flying creatures right in their own backyards. From bees to beetles, walking sticks to inchworms, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot these animals all over the United States (and how to keep a safe distance when necessary). With tons of info and interactive prompts, it's the perfect companion for backyard biology, field trip forrays, or camping campaigns. Durable and portable, it's just right for your pocket or backpack!

The experts at National Geographic present a delightful reference that introduces young children to bugs of all kinds: big and small, jumping and crawling, colorful and creepy. This charming book explores backyard favorites, such as ladybugs and lightning bugs, and introduces kids to more exotic species that inhabit rain forests and deserts around the world. Colorful photos are paired with profiles of each insect, along with facts about the creatures' sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time!

Insects and spiders hold a powerful allure their design is so complex and their scale so entrancingly minute. This compact book, itself hardly bigger than the worlds biggest beetle (which is over five inches long, by the way), contains a generous selection of engravings, every one crammed with detail and enhanced by informative text.

They're creepy and crawly and all over Earth. They're in the sky and in the soil. Insects are everywhere! With stunning visuals and energetic, impactful design, readers won't stop until they've learned everything there is to know about insects.

The "King of Sting" describes his adventures with insects and the pain scale that’s made him a scientific celebrity.\nSilver, Science (Adult Non-Fiction) Foreword INDIES Award 2017\nEntomologist Justin O. Schmidt is on a mission. Some say it’s a brave exploration, others shake their heads in disbelief. His goal? To compare the impacts of stinging insects on humans, mainly using himself as the test case.\nIn The Sting of the Wild, the colorful Dr. Schmidt takes us on a journey inside the lives of stinging insects. He explains how and why they attack and reveals the powerful punch they can deliver with a small venom gland and a "sting," the name for the apparatus that delivers the venom. We learn which insects are the worst to encounter and why some are barely worth considering. \nThe Sting of the Wild includes the complete Schmidt Sting Pain Index, published here for the first time. In addition to a numerical ranking of the agony of each of the eighty-three stings he’s sampled so far, Schmidt describes them in prose worthy of a professional wine critic: "Looks deceive. Rich and full-bodied in appearance, but flavorless" and "Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch nail embedded in your heel."\nSchmidt explains that, for some insects, stinging is used for hunting: small wasps, for example, can paralyze huge caterpillars for long enough to lay eggs inside them, so that their larvae emerge within a living feast. Others are used to kill competing insects, even members of their own species. Humans usually experience stings as defensive maneuvers used by insects to protect their nest mates. With colorful descriptions of each venom’s sensation and a story that leaves you tingling with awe, The Sting of the Wild’s one-of-a-kind style will fire your imagination.

The "King of Sting" describes his adventures with insects and the pain scale that’s made him a scientific celebrity.\nSilver, Science (Adult Non-Fiction) Foreword INDIES Award 2017\nEntomologist Justin O. Schmidt is on a mission. Some say it’s a brave exploration, others shake their heads in disbelief. His goal? To compare the impacts of stinging insects on humans, mainly using himself as the test case.\nIn The Sting of the Wild, the colorful Dr. Schmidt takes us on a journey inside the lives of stinging insects. He explains how and why they attack and reveals the powerful punch they can deliver with a small venom gland and a "sting," the name for the apparatus that delivers the venom. We learn which insects are the worst to encounter and why some are barely worth considering. \nThe Sting of the Wild includes the complete Schmidt Sting Pain Index, published here for the first time. In addition to a numerical ranking of the agony of each of the eighty-three stings he’s sampled so far, Schmidt describes them in prose worthy of a professional wine critic: "Looks deceive. Rich and full-bodied in appearance, but flavorless" and "Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch nail embedded in your heel."\nSchmidt explains that, for some insects, stinging is used for hunting: small wasps, for example, can paralyze huge caterpillars for long enough to lay eggs inside them, so that their larvae emerge within a living feast. Others are used to kill competing insects, even members of their own species. Humans usually experience stings as defensive maneuvers used by insects to protect their nest mates. With colorful descriptions of each venom’s sensation and a story that leaves you tingling with awe, The Sting of the Wild’s one-of-a-kind style will fire your imagination.

Question-and-answer format brings (readers) right to the topics that interest the most. Accessible and photo-packed.―BOOKLIST Clear, full-color photos provide close-up views of various species. This is a fun treat for browsers. ―SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Journey through the digestive systems of humans, farm and wild animals, and meet some of nature's ultimate recyclers as they eat, breed in and compete for dung. The fall of bodily waste onto the ground is the start of a race against the clock as a multitude of dung-feeders and scavengers consume this rich food source. From the enigmatic dung-rolling beetles to bat guano and giant elephant droppings, dung creates a miniature ecosystem to be explored by the aspiring dung watcher.\nThe author completes the book with an identification guide to dung itself, so that you can identify the animal that left it behind. Pellets or pats? Scats, spraints, frass, guano, spoor learn your way around different species droppings. There's also a dung-feeder s identification guide that includes the species you re most likely to encounter on an exploration of the dung heap.\nEditorial reviews \n"This book is a true gem and one that opened up a whole new world of natural history to me.... a best practice example of scientific writing." --Clive Herbert, London Naturalist\n"I love this book. Packed with scatological gems, it is a magnificent, highly entertaining and beautifully illustrated guide to the world of excrement. No bookshelf could be complete without it." --Professor Dave Goulson, Author of A Sting in the Tale, Founder of Bumblebee Conservation Trust\n"We all know that s**t happens. It's what happens to it afterwards that is really important - a beautiful book about the biological poetry of dung, droppings, scat and frass." --Nick Baker\n"This book would make a great addition to any entomologist's bookshelf and a thought-provoking read for anyone simply curious about cr*p. I'm just glad it's not scratch-and-sniff." --Alex Evans, Biosphere Magazine\n"This is a most thought-provoking, well-researched, well-illustrated and informative book full of interesting facts by a well-known author who knows his subject and, whilst obviously appealing to the dedicated coleopterist or dipterist, it also cannot help but be appreciated by the general entomologist." --John W. Phillips, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History

Big Book of Bugs—the up-close and personal book for young entomologists and all curious kids who are fascinated with bugs. Look right into a spider's eye and get tangled in its web! Marvel at the stunning pictures of teeny tiny creepy crawlies blown up to extraordinary sizes. Engaging annotations provide buggy facts and figures. Larger than life photographs of these bugs include locusts, caterpillars, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, ants, praying mantises, and more!

Get to know the bugs in your backyard.\nHow many times have you seen a bug and wondered, “What in the world is that?” Here’s an easy and fun way to identify backyard bugs. Acclaimed entomologist and nature author Jaret C. Daniels presents a simple yet informative guide to backyard bugs of the United States and southern Canada. Featuring more than 150 species organized by where the bugs are generally found―such as at lights or on flowers―this fascinating book covers everything from ants to mosquitoes to spiders. Its easy-to-use format, full-color photographs, and neat-to-know information are handy for homeowners, gardeners, campers, and even children. As an added bonus, there are bug-related activities for families to enjoy. When you see a bug, look it up. You’ll be amazed by what you learn!

Sally Coulthard explores the miraculous world of the earthworm, the modest little creature without whom life as we know it would not be possible. 'I thought I knew quite a bit about earthworms - until I picked up this charming little book' Nick Baker 'Many wonderful wormy tales unearthed by Coulthard'BBC Countryfile Magazine 'A gem of a book'Country Smallholding Without these little engineers of the earth, the world's soils would be barren, and our gardens and fields wouldn't be able to grow the food we need to survive. Worms recycle decaying plants, putting nutrients back into the soil; they provide a food source for wildlife; and their constant burrowing helps heavy rain soak away. Sally Coulthard's fascianting guide offers a wealth of information and practical advice about the world's msot industrious but little understood creature.

A look at the 100 most amazing insects on the planet!\nUsing macro photography and brand-new CGI artworks, Super Bug Encyclopedia zooms right in to reveal the secrets of the most successful creatures on our planet. With incredible facts and stats for every bug, Super Bug Encyclopedia showcases the superstars of the insect world. Find out which insect can snap a pencil in half, how a tiny moth can fly up to 70 miles an hour, and meet a dung beetle that can pull over 1,100 times its own body weight. Young readers will be wowed by what goes on inside the tiny world of ants, spiders, butterflies, moths, crickets, and other creepy crawlies.\nLively, informative, easy-to-access text based on the latest discoveries and scientific research showcases incredible feats of endurance, defense, strength, and speed while graphic, dashboard-style panels provides information at a glance.\nVisualized with incredible 3-D models with cross-sections and strip layers, readers can explore every essential detail of the world of insects in Super Bug Encyclopedia.

A lavishly illustrated introduction to the world's dragonflies and damselflies\nDragonflies and damselflies are often called birdwatchers’ insects. Large, brightly colored, active in the daytime, and displaying complex and interesting behaviors, they have existed since the days of the dinosaurs, and they continue to flourish. Their ancestors were the biggest insects ever, and they still impress us with their size, the largest bigger than a small hummingbird. There are more than 6,000 odonate species known at present, and you need only visit any wetland on a warm summer day to be enthralled by their stunning colors and fascinating behavior. In this lavishly illustrated natural history, leading dragonfly expert Dennis Paulson offers a comprehensive, accessible, and appealing introduction to the world’s dragonflies and damselflies.\nThe book highlights the impressive skills and abilities of dragonflies and damselflies―superb fliers that can glide, hover, cruise, and capture prey on the wing. It also describes their arsenal of tactics to avoid predators, and their amazing sex life, including dazzling courtship displays, aerial mating, sperm displacement, mate guarding, and male mimicry.\nDragonflies and Damselflies includes profiles of more than fifty of the most interesting and beautiful species from around the world. Learn about the Great Cascade Damsel, which breeds only at waterfalls, the mesmerizing flight of Blue-winged Helicopters, and how the larva of the Common Sanddragon can burrow into sand as efficiently as a mole.\nCombining expert text and excellent color photographs, this is a must-have guide to these remarkable insects.\n\nA lavishly illustrated, comprehensive, and accessible natural history that reveals the beauty and diversity of one of the world’s oldest and most popular insect groups\n\nOffers a complete guide to the evolution, life cycles, biology, anatomy, behavior, and habitats of dragonflies and damselflies\n\nIntroduces the 39 families of dragonflies and damselflies through exemplary species accounts\n\nFeatures tips on field observation and lab research, and information on threats and conservation\n\n

Find out all you ever wanted to know about insects when the Cat and company get an up-close view of life as a bug. Kids will learn how insects -- from the spittlebug to the honeybee to the moth -- see, smell, communicate, and pollinate, as well as sometimes pester and amaze and generally make life better for us humans. Catch the bug buzz with the Cat in the Hat and all his friends!

Introducing Bugs, Spiders and Insects! The perfect book for Kids and Bug Lovers! Get ready to sketch, search and puzzle solve, because this book is virtually brimming with fun activities to complete, all with a creepy crawly theme (unless you count the butterflies - which we do!). You'll find spot the difference games, buzzy bee coloring pages, wordsearches, guess the insect games and you even get to help a lost ladybird find its way home! This book is sure to provide hours of creative entertainment for any bug, spider or insect enthusiast! Ideal for long journeys and rainy days.

Whether it's the industrious ant, the breathtaking Monarch butterfly, or the multi-legged centipede, children will discover the fastest, strongest, and most harmful species in Pocket Genius: Bugs. Profiling more than 200 insects and bugs, from beetles and butterflies to spiders and scorpions, find out what bugs eat, which are poisonous, which live the longest, and which can be found in your own backyard. Plus, learn about the products we get from bugs, such as honey, ink, silk, and jewelry, and how bugs and insects play important roles in our world.\nRedesigned in paperback, DK's best-selling Pocket Genius series is now available in an engaging compact and economical format that is ideal for both browsing and quick reference for use in school and at home. Catalog entries packed with facts provide at-a-glance information, while locator icons offer immediately recognizable references to aid navigation and understanding, and fact files round off the book with fun facts such as record breakers and timelines. Each pocket-size encyclopedia is filled with facts on subjects ranging from animals to history, cars to dogs, and Earth to space and combines a child-friendly layout with engaging photography and bite-size chunks of text that will encourage and inform even the most reluctant readers.

'Beautifully written and filled with mind-boggling wonders' - Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale'Thrilling, compellingly readable and paradigm-shattering' - Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast'Both expert and entertaining' - David Barrie, author of Incredible JourneysAnts have been walking the Earth since the age of the dinosaurs. Today there are one million ants for every one of us.The closer you get to ants, the more human they look: they build megacities, grow crops, raise livestock, tend their young and infirm, and even make vaccines. They also have a darker side: they wage war, enslave rivals and rebel against their oppressors. From fearsome army ants, who stage twelve-hour hunting raids where they devour thousands, to gentle leaf-cutters gardening in their peaceful underground kingdoms, every ant is engineered by nature to fulfil their particular role.Acclaimed biologist Susanne Foitzik has travelled the globe to study these master architects of Earth. Joined by journalist Olaf Fritsche, Foitzik invites readers deep into her world - in the field and in the lab - and will inspire new respect for ants as a global superpower.Fascinating and action-packed, Empire of Ants will open your eyes to the secret societies thriving right beneath your feet.

An essential A to Z bug book for young readers.The perfect book for all kids who are fascinated with bugs. Simple text from A to Z provides buggy facts and figures. Larger than life full-color photographs of creepy crawlies include locusts, caterpillars, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, ants, praying mantis, and more!

Bees are our most loyal allies. These fascinating, enigmatic creatures are a key lynchpin in the working of our planet. Without them the landscape, as well as every aisle in our supermarkets, would look radically different. And we’re not just talking about honey bees. There are more than 20,000 species of bee worldwide and only a handful make honey. Some live in colonies and others are solitary. We can all help protect them—and they desperately need protecting—but you can’t save what you don’t love. And you can’t love what you don’t know. The Good Bee is a celebration of this most vital and mysterious of nature’s wizards. Here you’ll discover the complexities of bee behavior—as well as the bits that still baffle us—the part they play in the natural world, their relationship with us throughout history, how they are coming under threat and what we can all do about it. Beautifully produced, with hand-made illustrations throughout, it is a story for our times and a book to treasure.

Butterflies are all around us. It's hard to believe these majestic insects with impressive wingspans and beautifully colored and patterned wings were once creepy crawly caterpillars. How in the world does this transformation happen? This Level 1 Reader gives kids an up-close look at exactly how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. With bonus information including different types of butterflies and poisonous caterpillars, this reader is one of a kind.This high-interest, educationally vetted series of beginning readers features the magnificent images of National Geographic, accompanied by texts written by experienced, skilled children's book authors.The inside back cover of the paperback edition is an interactive feature based upon the book. Level 1 books reinforce the content of the book with a kinesthetic learning activity. In Level 2 books readers complete a Cloze letter, or fun fill-in, with vocabulary words.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

The engaging Explore My World picture books invite kids to take their first big steps toward understanding the world around them and are just the thing for parents and kids to curl up with and read aloud. In Explore My World Butterflies, curious kids ages 3 to 7 will be excited to learn about the magical world of butterflies: their beauty, their importance to plant life, and their incredible metamorphosis and migration.

The most up-to-date and authoritative resource on the biology and evolution of solitary bees\nWhile social bees such as honey bees and bumble bees are familiar to most people, they comprise less than 10 percent of all bee species in the world. The vast majority of bees lead solitary lives, surviving without the help of a hive and using their own resources to fend off danger and protect their offspring. This book draws on new research to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview of solitary bee biology, offering an unparalleled look at these remarkable insects.\nThe Solitary Bees uses a modern phylogenetic framework to shed new light on the life histories and evolution of solitary bees. It explains the foraging behavior of solitary bees, their development, and competitive mating tactics. The book describes how they construct complex nests using an amazing variety of substrates and materials, and how solitary bees have co-opted beneficial mites, nematodes, and fungi to provide safe environments for their brood. It looks at how they have evolved intimate partnerships with flowering plants and examines their associations with predators, parasites, microbes, and other bees. This up-to-date synthesis of solitary bee biology is an essential resource for students and researchers, one that paves the way for future scholarship on the subject.\nBeautifully illustrated throughout, The Solitary Bees also documents the critical role solitary bees play as crop pollinators, and raises awareness of the dire threats they face, from habitat loss and climate change to pesticides, pathogens, parasites, and invasive species.

With over 600 stunning, full-color photographs of over 500 species of butterflies and moths, this is the most beautiful and clear guide to the identification of these fantastic flying insects. Even an amateur enthusiast will be able to spot different species like an expert entomologist. Each entry combines a precise description of the featured butterfly or moth species with annotated photographs to show its chief characteristics and distinguishing features, from ingenious camouflage to signature eyespots to distinctive larval forms and cocoon structures. It is accompanied by a map of the animal’s geographical range, as well as color-coded bands with at-a-glance facts specific to the species. In addition to the species-by-species guide, the book contains a fascinating overview of this whole unique order of insects, from the habitats and plants they rely on to survive in the wild, to the details of their distinctive metamorphosis, to the ways ordinary people can distinguish between these similar-looking creatures. The book is published by Dorling Kindersley in association with the eminently authoritative Smithsonian Institution, and is written by David Carter, who works at the Natural History Museum, London, and has been specializing in moths and butterflies for nearly four decades. It is designed to appeal to beginners and established enthusiasts alike.

'This book has found a special place in my heart. It’s as strange, beautiful and unexpected, as precise and exquisite in its movings, as bees in a hive. I loved it' Helen Macdonald, author of H IS FOR HAWK ‘Everyone should own A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings, which moved and delighted me more than a book about insects had any right to … Jukes is a gloriously gifted writer and her book ought to become a key text of this bright moment in our history of nature writing’ Alex Preston, Observer ‘Finely written and insightful’ Melissa Harrison, Guardian A fascinating, insightful and inspiring account of a novice beekeeper's year of keeping honeybees, which will appeal to readers of H is For Hawk and The Outrun Entering her thirties, Helen Jukes feels trapped in an urban grind of office politics and temporary addresses – disconnected, stressed. Struggling to settle into her latest job and home in Oxford, she realises she needs to effect a change if she’s to create a meaningful life for herself, one that can accommodate comfort and labour and love. Then friends give her the gift of a colony of honeybees – according to folklore, bees freely given bring luck – and Helen embarks on her first full year of beekeeping. But what does it mean to ‘keep’ wild creatures? In learning about the bees, what can she learn of herself? And can travelling inside the hive free her outside it? As Helen grapples with her role in the delicate, awe-inspiring ecosystem of the hive, the very act of keeping seems to open up new perspectives, deepen friendships old and new, and make her world come alive. A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings is at once a fascinating exploration of the honeybee and the hive, the practices of honey-gathering and the history of our observation of bees; and a beautifully wrought meditation on responsibility and care, on vulnerability and trust, on forging bonds and breaking new ground. 'This is classic modern nature-writing; a synthesis of scientific learning, observation and the author’s response. If you care for the wellbeing of bees and the planet and for the state of the human heart, then this book, with its deft and beautiful prose, is for you… And like all good nature writing, it also – quietly, clearly and insistently – requires us, too, to respond' Countryfile Magazine ‘An intimate exploration of the heart and home, and a tantalising glimpse into an alien culture. A brave and delicate book, rich and fascinating’ Nick Hunt, author of Where the Wild Winds Are ‘Subtly wrought personal journey into the art and science of beekeeping. Helen Jukes evokes both the practical minutiae of the work, and the findings of researchers who have illuminated bee ethology over the centuries' nature 'A mesmeric, lovely, quietly powerful book. A gentle but compelling account of the redemption that comes from relationship and attention' Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast 'A profound, funny and sometimes deeply moving book that describes a year of inner city bee keeping, while dancing between the history of bees and us and what it means to be human in our modern world' Julia Blackburn, author of Threads: The Delicate Life of John Craske 'A very human story about the aliens gathering in her back garden – bees, fascinating but almost unknowable. Their wildness and her duty to them help open up a desk rat’s uninspiring life to all the possibilities of love, care, connection and sheer wonder. It is a lovely, entirely personal journey into the very heart of the hive' Michael Pye ‘I raced through this really terrific, down-to-earth read. The existential threat to our entire ecosystem posed by the problems facing bees can be hard to grasp, but Helen manages to make this a very personal, human story that, hopefully, might inspire others to action' Luke Turner, The Quietus

A caterpillar hatches. It eats and eats . . . and grows into a butterfly that flits and floats across the sky. Follow the life cycle of one of nature’s most beautiful creatures in simple text and stunning photos. This unique book features graduated flaps that display each stage of metamorphosis at a glance; turn each flap to reveal engaging facts that kids will love.

Children who are just learning to read will love to discover the changes that turn a caterpillar into a butterfly. Experience the exciting journey from the cocoon to the skies! Stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging, age-appropriate stories in DK Readers, a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children's interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge. With DK Readers, children will learn to read—then read to learn!

A hunt for the most elusive bees leads Dave Goulson from the Salisbury plains to the Sussex hedgerows, from Poland to Patagonia. Whether he is tracking great yellow bumblebees in the Hebrides or chasing orchid bees through the Ecuadorian jungle, Dave Goulson’s wit, humour and deep love of nature make him the ideal travelling companion. \nThis utterly charming book will also inspire you to think about the ways in which we are all responsible for the future of our world. Through his scientific expertise and passion for conservation, Goulson shows us nature’s resilience against the odds, and that beauty hides in the most surprising places.

A hunt for the world's most elusive bees leads Dave Goulson from Salisbury plain to Sussex hedgerows, from Poland to Patagonia. Whether he is tracking great yellow bumblebees in the Hebrides or chasing orchid bees through the Ecuadorian jungle, Dave Goulson’s wit, humour and deep love of nature make him the ideal travelling companion. \nBut perhaps Bee Quest is most fascinating when Dave Goulson explores closer to home, amongst the secret places hidden right under our noses: the abandoned industrial estates where great crested newts roam; or the rewilded estate at Knepp Castle, where, with the aid of some hairy, bluebell-eating Tamworth pigs, nightingale song has been heard for the first time in generations. This utterly charming book will inspire you to think about the ways in which we are all responsible for the future of our world. Through his scientific expertise and passion for conservation, Goulson shows us nature’s resilience against the odds, and that beauty hides in the most surprising places.

If 70 percent of all cattle or 30 percent of all chickens were to die annually, states of emergency would be declared everywhere. The death of bees is at least that dramatic and with even more far-reaching consequences.” More Than Honey, the book based on the award-winning documentary of the same name, takes us on a global tour of the world of bees, introducing us along the way to killer bees,” Frankenbees, beekeepers, and human pollinators. Markus Imhoof and Claus-Peter Lieckfeld examine both the history and current status of our relationship to and reliance on bees, and expose the human behaviors that are contributing to the decline of the bee populationa decline that could ultimately contribute directly to a world food problem.The authors intersperse information about the intricate social structure of the bee world and the problems faced by beesranging from the ubiquitous Varroa destructor to overuse of pesticides and an ever-shrinking natural landscapewith conversations and interviews with beekeepers and bee experts from across the world, balancing the views of those who see bees as simply a valuable source of income with the views of those who see bees as undervalued, misunderstood creatures that need our help to survive. The end result is a fascinating, accessible overview of a species that is crucial to our survival.

In this charming picture book, curious little kids will learn all about the bustling world of honeybees and the important role they play in our delicate ecosystem. These engaging Explore My World picture books on subjects kids care about combine simple stories with unforgettable photography. They invite little kids to take their first big steps toward understanding the world around them and are just the thing for parents and kids to curl up with and read aloud.

Did you know, as bees get older they become more forgetful? Or that the bee hive is a masterclass is matriarchal living? Ever wondered just how fast a bee can fly? Or just how much honey a bee can make in its little life? Is really true that, if bees go extinct, civilisation could only last four years? \nBees and humans are inseparable. We rely on them not only to pollinate our planet but to sweeten our lives with the fruits of their labours. Honey, royal jelly, beeswax – these golden, hardworking insects have transformed our lives with their quiet diligence, giving us sugary pleasure, illumination and beauty treatments for thousands of years. \nIn her new book, The Bee Bible, bestselling author Sally Coulthard takes the reader on a fascinating flight through the history, science, folklore, behaviour, and cultural significance of the bee. From the earliest evidence of keeping honeybees to why a bee sting hurts, or how bees talk to each other, make honey and build their hives, this heartwarming guide waxes lyrical on the insect voted the nation's best loved bug.

Fans of Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book can fly along with Bee on her very busy day!Through a hole in the book’s cover, a bee is buzzing inside a flower. Peek into this bright and lively book and discover the big ways this little insect contributes to the beauty of the environment, from pollinating colorful flowers to buzzing about the bright and beautiful meadow.With clever peekaboo holes throughout, each page reveals new flowers and plants, plus a look inside a beehive as the bees work together to help a plants grow.Children will love seeing the details of a bee’s active day as each page is turned. Along the way, they’ll learn how bees and plants works together to produce a healthy, beautiful environment.Look for all the books in the Peek-Through Picture Book series: Tree, Bee, Ocean, Moon, Home, and Bugs.

`A truly excellent account' British Wildlife Beetles are arguably the most diverse organisms in the world, with nearly half a million beetle species described and catalogued in our museums, more than any other type of living thing. This astonishing species diversity is matched by a similar diversity in shape, form, size, life history, ecology, physiology and behaviour. Beetles occur everywhere, and do everything. And yet they form a clearly discrete insect group, typically characterised by their attractively compact form, with flight wings folded neatly under smooth hard wing-cases. Almost anyone could recognise a beetle, indeed many are intimately associated with human society. Groups like ladybirds are familiar to us from a very young age. Large stag beetles and handsome chafers are celebrated for their imposing size and bright colours. The sacred scarabs of the ancient Egyptians were given iconic, if not god-like, status and even though the exact religious meanings may be fading after three millennia, their bewitching jewellery and monumental statuary inspire us still. Despite this ancient and easy familiarity with beetles, the Coleoptera remains tainted by the notion that it is a `difficult' group of insects. The traditional routes into studying British natural history, through birdwatching, butterfly-collecting and pressing wild flowers, now extend to studying dragonflies, bumblebees, grasshoppers, moths, hoverflies and even shieldbugs. These are on the verge of becoming popular groups, but beetles remain the preserve of the expert, or so it seems. So many British beetles are easy to find and easy to identify by the non-expert, but that bewildering background diversity, and the daunting numbers of species in the Coleoptera as a whole, have been enough to dissuade many a potential coleopterist from grasping the nettle and getting stuck in. Richard Jones' groundbreaking New Naturalist volume on beetles encourages those enthusiasts who would otherwise be put off by the, to date, rather technical literature that has dominated the field, providing a comprehensive natural history of this fascinating and beautiful group of insects.

The Real Buzz on Bees What a promise! Actually, promises. First, here’s a book that teaches kids all about the fascinating world of bees. Second, fun exercises, activities, and illustrations engage the imagination and offer a deeper understanding of bee life and bee behavior. Third, by following a few simple steps including removing the book’s cover and taping it together, readers can transform the book into an actual living home for backyard bees. Fourth, added all together, Turn This Book Into a Beehive! lets kids make a difference in the world—building a home where bees can thrive is one small but critical step in reversing the alarming trend of dwindling bee populations. Written by Lynn Brunelle, author of Pop Bottle Science, whose gift for making science fun earned her four Emmy Awards as a writer for Bill Nye the Science Guy, Turn This Book Into a Beehive! introduces kids to the amazing mason bee, a non-aggressive, non-stinging super-pollinator that does the work of over 100 honeybees. Mason bees usually live in hollow reeds or holes in wood, but here’s how to make a home just for them: Tear out the perforated paper—each illustrated as a different room in a house—roll the sheets into tubes, enclose the tubes using the book’s cover, and hang the structure outside. The bees will arrive, pack mud into the tubes, and begin pollinating all the plants in your backyard. Twenty experiments and activities reveal even more about bees—how to smell like a bee, understand the role of flowers and pollen, learn how bees communicate with each other through “dance,” and more. It’s the real buzz on bees, delivered in the most ingenious and interactive way.

Learn everything there is know about bees in Amazing Bees! From buzzing to different flowers to being a vital part of the earth's ecosystem, bees are very busy creatures.\nDiscover what makes bees so special and find out how we can help them in Amazing Bees.\nPerfect for 5–7 year olds beginning to read fluently with support, Level 2 titles contain carefully selected photographic images to complement the text, providing strong visual clues to build vocabulary and confidence. Additional information spreads are full of extra fun facts, developing the topics through a range of nonfiction presentation styles such as diagrams, and activities.\nLexile measure: 720 Fountas and Pinnell Text Level Gradient: M\nTrusted by parents, teachers, and librarians, and loved by kids, DK's leveled reading series is now revised and updated. With shiny new jackets and brand new nonfiction narrative content on the topics kids love, each book is written and reviewed by literacy experts, and contains a glossary and index making them the perfect choice for helping develop strong reading habits for kids ages 3–11.

Ancient and strange, beetles call to mind a lost world of Egyptian magic and belief—a reminder of the fascination they’ve long held for human culture. In Beetle, Adam Dodd offers a richly illustrated, engaging account of the natural and cultural history of the beetle, from its origins more than two hundred and fifty million years ago to the present, when its anatomy is inspiring cutting-edge developments in cybernetics. Along the way, Dodd explores the incredible variety of beetles on earth—there are more than 350,000 species—and their amazing ability to exploit nature’s niches. He also takes readers on a wide-ranging tour of the countless ways that beetles have infiltrated our art, folklore, literature, and religious beliefs. Stolid, secretive, and still-mysterious, beetles continue to exert a powerful pull on naturalists and collectors today, and no beetle fanatic will want to miss Dodd’s winning appreciation of their history.

How does a small egg become a buzzing bee? With a graph of a bee's life cycle, vivid photos, explanatory vocabulary, and informational text, readers are sure to be captivated!About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.

The Coccinellidae are a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds or ladybugs. In Britain alone, some 46 species belong to the Coccinellidae family, although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds. Composed largely of Professor Michael Majerus' lifetime work, and updated by two leading experts in the field, this book reveals intriguing insights into ladybird biology from a global perspective. The popularity of this insect group has been captured through societal and cultural considerations, coupled with detailed descriptions of complex scientific processes, to provide a comprehensive and accessible overview of these charismatic insects. Bringing together many studies on ladybirds, this book has been organised into themes, ranging from anatomy and physiology to ecology and evolution. This book is suitable for interested amateur enthusiasts, and researchers involved with ladybirds, entomology and biological control.

"Eccentric and unusual with an appealing, gentle charm," raves Kirkus Reviews, in a starred review.Every morning, Fred climbs three flights of stairs—up to his rooftop in Brooklyn, New York—and greets the members of his enormous family: "Good morning, my bees, my darlings!" His honeybee workers are busy—they tend the hive, feed babies, and make wax rooms. They also forage in flowers abloom across Brooklyn... so that, one day, Fred can make his famous honey, something the entire neighborhood looks forward to tasting. Lela Nargi's beautifully written story—accompanied by Kyrsten Brooker's collage-style illustrations—offers an inside look at the life of an endearing beekeeper and the honey-making process.A Junior Library Guild Selection, a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year, a Cook Prize Honor Book, and a NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book.

This book narrates a year­-long quest to see Britain's rarest and most remarkable moths. This book coaxes moths out from the darkness and into the daylight; Much Ado About Moth-ing reveals that moths are so much more attractive, approachable and astonishing than butterflies--with richer tales to share, from migratory feats through mastery of camouflage to missives about the state of our planet. This book seeks to persuade the skeptical, the fearful and the unaware of the unexpected beauty of these misjudged insects. The author, James Lowen, makes a case for moths by recounting a suitcase full of journeys across Britain over the course of a calendar year. Britain has a lot of moths--40 times more species than butterflies--so rather than try to see them all, James pursues quality over quantity, prioritizing our scarcest and most special species. His travels extend from the Isles of Scilly to northernmost Scotland. More than any other animals, moths demonstrate a very precise determination of place - one species, for example, rarely ventures more than 10 meters from the place it hatches as a caterpillar. Accordingly, this book drinks in the landscapes where moths reside. It's also a book about people--James meets moth­-fans wherever he goes, be they expert entomologists, professional conservationists or amateur "moth­-ers." He asks why they love what many people choose to hate, and how moths impact their lives. Through the filter of moths, he explores the concept of obsession, both in other people and, as the year progresses, in himself. This will be a book not just about moths, or about moths and place--but about moths and place and people. A counterweight to James's expeditionary travels is his suburban garden. James and his young daughter measure the seasons by the moths that come and go, for perhaps the greatest virtue of moths--paradoxically, for those who consider them invisible--is their accessibility. Moths are everywhere, but above all they are here, and what's more, they'll sit calmly on a fingertip, providing first­-hand amazement to children and adults alike like no other animal.

This new addition to the British Wildlife Collection is a unique take on butterfly behaviour and ecology, written by the former Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, Martin Warren. It explores the secret lives of our British species (also drawing on comparative examples from continental Europe), revealing how they have become adapted to survive in such a highly competitive natural world.\\nCombining personal anecdote with the latest discoveries in the scientific literature, this book covers everything from why we love butterflies and their life\\-cycle from egg to adult, to their struggle for survival in a world of predators and parasites and the miracle of migration. The final chapters explore how butterflies are recorded, the change in their ranges and abundance during the 20th and 21st centuries, and the significance of managing habitats at a landscape scale, concluding with a passionate plea for why we must act now to reverse butterfly declines.\nInsightful, inspiring and a joy to read, Butterflies is the culmination of a lifetime of careful research into what makes these beautiful insects tick and how and why we must conserve them.

In the last fifty years our butterfly populations have declined by more than eighty per cent and butterflies are now facing the very real prospect of extinction. It is hard to remember the time when fields and meadows were full of these beautiful, delicate creatures - today we rarely catch a glimpse of the Wild Cherry Sphinx moths, Duke of Burgundy or the even once common Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. The High Brown Fritillary butterfly and the Stout Dart Moth have virtually disappeared.  The eminent entomologist and award-winning author Josef H. Reichholf began studying butterflies in the late 1950s. He brings a lifetime of scientific experience and expertise to bear on one of the great environmental catastrophes of our time. He takes us on a journey into the wonderful world of butterflies - from the small nymphs that emerge from lakes in air bubbles to the trusting purple emperors drunk on toad poison - and immerses us in a world that we are in danger of losing forever.  Step by step he explains the science behind this impending ecological disaster, and shows how it is linked to pesticides, over-fertilization and the intensive farming practices of the agribusiness.  His book is a passionate plea for biodiversity and the protection of butterflies.

A remarkable look at the rarest butterflies, how global changes threaten their existence, and how we can bring them back from near-extinction\nMost of us have heard of such popular butterflies as the Monarch or Painted Lady. But what about the Fender’s Blue? Or the St. Francis’ Satyr? Because of their extreme rarity, these butterflies are not well-known, yet they are remarkable species with important lessons to teach us. The Last Butterflies spotlights the rarest of these creatures―some numbering no more than what can be held in one hand. Drawing from his own first-hand experiences, Nick Haddad explores the challenges of tracking these vanishing butterflies, why they are disappearing, and why they are worth saving. He also provides startling insights into the effects of human activity and environmental change on the planet’s biodiversity.\nWeaving a vivid and personal narrative with ideas from ecology and conservation, Haddad illustrates the race against time to reverse the decline of six butterfly species. Many scientists mistakenly assume we fully understand butterflies’ natural histories. Yet, as with the Large Blue in England, we too often know too little and the conservation consequences are dire. Haddad argues that a hands-off approach is not effective and that in many instances, like for the Fender’s Blue and Bay Checkerspot, active and aggressive management is necessary. With deliberate conservation, rare butterflies can coexist with people, inhabit urban fringes, and, in the case of the St. Francis’ Satyr, even reside on bomb ranges and military land. Haddad shows that through the efforts to protect and restore butterflies, we might learn how to successfully confront conservation issues for all animals and plants.\nA moving account of extinction, recovery, and hope, The Last Butterflies demonstrates the great value of these beautiful insects to science, conservation, and people.

Beginning with its title question, "Are you a ladybug?", this accessible book is perfect for reading aloud and tells young readers how they would experience life if they were a ladybug.

Review\\n"Longlisted for the Young Adult Science Book Award, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books"\\n"There are heroes in this story, and Haddad does a wonderful job of celebrating them."---Jonathan Hahn, Sierra\\n"A valuable lens on the biodiversity crisis. Yet Haddad does not just gather data on habitat loss and other drivers of decline―although he does that with crystalline acuity. He emphasizes that measures such as restoring ecological systems can protect populations of these fragile 'ambassadors of nature', against the odds."---Barbara Kiser, Nature\\n"Haddad eloquently argues that conserving butterflies is not about preserving an organism or habitat in aspic―that way lies stagnation and decline―it’s about enabling a dynamic and resilient environment."---Richard Jones, BBC Wildlife Magazine\\n"Wonderfully informative . . . Haddad has that rare ability to make difficult science accessible to those of us who are not trained in the nuances of ecological quantification and he does so without talking down to us."---Keith Taylor, WUOM’s Stateside\\n"A powerful study of what a declining insect population reveals about how we are treating the planet . . . . fine and compelling book."---Jules Pretty, Times Higher Education\\n"We need to do better at embedding nature conservation, knowledge generation, and long-term monitoring as core goals in land management initiatives. The Last Butterflies shares some inspiring examples of how to achieve this."---Manu. E. Saunders, Trends in Ecology & Evolution\\n"Haddad is extremely knowledgable about this subject, and is also able to successfully communicate that knowledge to a wider audience"---Harry Siviter, The Biologist\\n"The Last Butterflies does a remarkable job weaving together the stories of the rarest of butterflies, changing landscapes, and the day-to-day work of the scientists who study them."---Gretchen LeBuhn, American Entomologist\\n"The author has devoted his life to butterflies . . . His guiding principle is that humans should not be the cause of the extinction of these extremely rare species by promoting rather than destroying biodiversity - it is a moving personal ecological odyssey." ― Paradigm Explorer\\n"[The Last Butterflies] is infused with enthusiasm for conservation efforts, both now and in the future, and with an admiration for the beauty, fragility, and resilience of butterflies. It is an important book for anyone concerned with biodiversity and conservation issues. It’s also an eye-opening and engaging read for anyone with an interest in butterflies."---Rachel Pagones, New Books in Environmental Studies\\n"This is an unusual, honest and informative book. . . . clearly written and attractively presented."---John Tennent, Atropos Magazine\\n"A nice read that those interested in conservation will enjoy. . . . the author argues that even if rare butterflies may make a negligible contribution to ecological services, there are still compelling reasons to protect them." ― Conservation Biology\\n"One of the best books about conservation biology that I’ve read in a long time. The Last Butterflies reads with the ease of a novel. Part adventure tale and part detective story, it leads you in search of the world’s rarest butterflies and the ways we might save them."---Matthew Shepherd, Wings\\n"If you are interested in conservation, butterflies, insects, or any combination of the three, I would recommend picking up this volume."---Cas Carroll, The Quarterly Review of Biology\\n"As a nature enthusiast, this book will give you new perspectives on conservation and the many unseen factors in what keeps a species afloat."---Trevor Edmonson, The Daily Journal\\n"This is a fantastic read told in a personal and engaging manner. . . . Would I recommend anyone to buy it? Yes, if they have any interest in natural history. This is a very accessible book, as well as being very tactile, and definitely worth the investment."---Simon R. Leather, Oryx: The International Journal of Conservatio

There has never been an accessible and comprehensive guide to the names of our butterflies and moths, both English and Latin. This beautiful book, written with Peter Marren’s usual wit and insight, takes you on a journey back to a time before the arts and science were divided. When entomologists were also poets and painters, and when a gift for vivid language went hand-in-hand with a deep pre-Darwinian fascination for the emerging natural world. Many have remarked on the poetic names of our butterflies andmoths. Their beauty fires our imaginations. Some are named after human occupations and social rank: Emperors, footmen,a miller, quakers, lackeys, ‘rustics’ and chimney-sweepers. Stillmore are named after animals: tigers, hawks, goats, sharks,even pug dogs. There are species named after jewels, musical instruments, fabrics, letters, carpets, flowers, heraldry andshells. Some names are downright baffling. Why was onebutterfly called an ‘admiral’ and another an ‘argus’? Why, forthat matter, are they called ‘butterflies’?The scientific names, too, contain many allusions. One wholesubset of moths is named after weddings. Another group is named after souls. A great many names are cherry-picked fromclassical tales and legends, often with relevance to a particularbutterfly or moth. Some names are spooky, even sexy. Or funny,for Latin names contain word games and jokes.

Everything you ever wanted to know about ladybugs— and why they're crucial to our environment. When you think of a ladybug, you might picture a little red beetle with seven black spots on its back—but did you know there are thousands of types of ladybugs, spread across the world? With her signature combination of simple text, clear illustrations, and simple diagrams, Gail Gibbons explores the world of ladybugs. These small beetles live on six of the seven continents, ranging in size, markings, and coloration. Follow a ladybug through the four stages of its development from egg to adult, and learn about its behavior and habitat—plus, how little ladybugs help protect crops by eating harmful insects. Bright illustrations and an easy-to-read text make this ideal for young readers studying the natural world. A page of quick ladybug facts and resources for learning more are included.

There has never been an accessible and comprehensive guide to the names of our butterflies and moths, both English and Latin. This beautiful book, written with Peter Marren's usual wit and insight, takes you on a journey back to a time before the arts and science were divided. When entomologists were also poets and painters, and when a gift for vivid language went hand-in-hand with a deep pre-Darwinian fascination for the emerging natural world. Many have remarked on the poetic names of our butterflies andmoths. Their beauty fires our imaginations. Some are named after human occupations and social rank: Emperors, footmen,a miller, quakers, lackeys, 'rustics' and chimney-sweepers. Stillmore are named after animals: tigers, hawks, goats, sharks,even pug dogs. There are species named after jewels, musical instruments, fabrics, letters, carpets, flowers, heraldry andshells. Some names are downright baffling. Why was onebutterfly called an 'admiral' and another an 'argus'? Why, forthat matter, are they called 'butterflies'?The scientific names, too, contain many allusions. One wholesubset of moths is named after weddings. Another group is named after souls. A great many names are cherry-picked fromclassical tales and legends, often with relevance to a particularbutterfly or moth. Some names are spooky, even sexy. Or funny,for Latin names contain word games and jokes.

Ladybugs are actually a farmer's best friend-they eat the bugs that would otherwise harm plants.Many people thing ladybugs are pretty. Some even think they bring good luck. The well-organized chapters help readers (Ages 6-7) identify key details. The illustrations and text features such as captions and bold print help students navigate the text while the photographs add clarity and enable students to better understand the text.

“The butterfly’s life cycle has always symbolized transformation. In this awe-inspiring book, Williams shows us how these animals can also transform whole ecosystems, scientific disciplines, and human hearts.” —Abigail Tucker, New York Times bestselling author of The Lion in the Living RoomIn this fascinating book from the New York Times bestselling author of The Horse, Wendy Williams explores the lives of one of the world’s most resilient creatures—the butterfly—shedding light on the role that they play in our ecosystem and in our human lives.Butterflies are one of the world’s most beloved insects. From butterfly gardens to zoo exhibitions, they are one of the few insects we’ve encouraged to infiltrate our lives. Yet, what has drawn us to these creatures in the first place? And what are their lives really like? In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author and science journalist Wendy Williams reveals the inner lives of these “flying flowers”—creatures far more intelligent and tougher than we give them credit for. Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico. Other species have learned how to fool ants into taking care of them. Butterflies’ scales are inspiring researchers to create new life-saving medical technology. Williams takes readers to butterfly habitats across the globe and introduces us to not only various species, but to the scientists who have dedicated their lives to studying them. Coupled with years of research and knowledge gained from experts in the field, this accessible “butterfly biography” explores the ancient partnership between these special creatures and humans, and why they continue to fascinate us today. Touching, eye-opening, and incredibly profound, The Language of Butterflies reveals the critical role they play in our world.

Matthew Oates has led a butterflying life. Naturalist, conservationist and passionate lover of poetry, he has devoted himself to these exalted creatures: to their observation, to singing their praises, and to ensuring their survival. Based on fifty years of detailed diaries, In Pursuit of Butterflies is the chronicle of this life. Oates leads the reader through a lifetime of butterflying, across the mountain tops, the peat bogs, sea cliffs, meadows, heaths, the chalk downs and great forests of the British Isles. Full of humour, zeal, digression, expertise and anecdote, this book provides a profound encounter with one of our great butterfly lovers, and with a half-century of butterflies in Britain.

A witty, informative, and myth-busting account of the Purple Emperor butterfly, one of Britain's most captivating butterfly species. The Purple Emperor is one of England's most elusive and least-known butterflies. Matthew Oates has spent fifty years trying to unravel the Emperor's secrets. Many mysteries remain unsolved, but enough are revealed in this book to enable experts and non-experts alike to go out in search of a butterfly that thrills and enthralls all who encounter it. This is a good-news species, at a time of massive wildlife decline. And this is a joyous--often rapturous--account, written in plain English, as a labor of love.

Like fluttering shards of stained glass, butterflies possess a unique power to pierce and stir the human soul. Indeed, the ancient Greeks explicitly equated the two in a single word, psyche, so that from early times butterflies were not only a form of life, but also an idea. Profound and deeply personal, written with both wisdom and wit, Peter Marren’s Rainbow Dust explores this idea of butterflies—the why behind the mysterious power of these insects we do not flee, but rather chase. At the age of five, Marren had his “Nabokov Moment,” catching his first butterfly and feeling the dust of its colored scales between his fingers. It was a moment that would launch a lifetime’s fascination rivaling that of the famed novelist—a fascination that put both in good company. From the butterfly collecting and rearing craze that consumed North America and Europe for more than two hundred years (a hobby that in some cases bordered on madness), to the potent allure of butterfly iconography in contemporary advertisements and their use in spearheading calls to conserve and restore habitats (even though butterflies are essentially economically worthless), Marren unveils the many ways in which butterflies inspire us as objects of beauty and as symbols both transient and transcendent. Floating around the globe and through the whole gamut of human thought, from art and literature to religion and science, Rainbow Dust is a cultural history rather than merely a natural one, a tribute to butterflies’ power to surprise, entertain, and obsess us. With a sway that far surpasses their fragile anatomy and gentle beat, butterfly wings draw us into the prismatic wonders of the natural world—and, in the words of Marren, these wonders take flight.

The fascinating and complex evolutionary relationship of the monarch butterfly and the milkweed plant\nMonarch butterflies are one of nature's most recognizable creatures, known for their bright colors and epic annual migration from the United States and Canada to Mexico. Yet there is much more to the monarch than its distinctive presence and mythic journeying. In Monarchs and Milkweed, Anurag Agrawal presents a vivid investigation into how the monarch butterfly has evolved closely alongside the milkweed―a toxic plant named for the sticky white substance emitted when its leaves are damaged―and how this inextricable and intimate relationship has been like an arms race over the millennia, a battle of exploitation and defense between two fascinating species.\nThe monarch life cycle begins each spring when it deposits eggs on milkweed leaves. But this dependency of monarchs on milkweeds as food is not reciprocated, and milkweeds do all they can to poison or thwart the young monarchs. Agrawal delves into major scientific discoveries, including his own pioneering research, and traces how plant poisons have not only shaped monarch-milkweed interactions but have also been culturally important for centuries. Agrawal presents current ideas regarding the recent decline in monarch populations, including habitat destruction, increased winter storms, and lack of milkweed―the last one a theory that the author rejects. He evaluates the current sustainability of monarchs and reveals a novel explanation for their plummeting numbers.\nLavishly illustrated with more than eighty color photos and images, Monarchs and Milkweed takes readers on an unforgettable exploration of one of nature's most important and sophisticated evolutionary relationships.

Stories and science about nature's most complex, crucial and highly adaptive insect. \n The Secret Life of Flies takes readers into the hidden world of snail killers, con artists, crazy sex and a great many silly names. It dispels common misconceptions about flies and reveals how truly extraordinary, exotic and important are these misunderstood creatures. \n There are ten chapters: \n 1. The immature ones - Squirmy wormy larvae can be just a bit unnerving, especially when they're in large numbers. 2. The pollinators - Those annoying No See Ums, or midge flies, are the only pollinator of the chocolate-producing cacao tree, a status held by many of the pollinators. 3. The detritivores - These garbage eaters are often fluffy and thus water-repellent, good for a life spent in a sewer. 4. The vegetarians - Entomological spelunkers, many of these flies prefer plant roots forsaking the leaves to other creatures. 5. The fungivores - The mushroom eaters include the dark-winged fungus gnats whose wing patterns are one of the author's favorites. 6. The predators - Here are the most devious and imaginative methods of luring, capturing and eating prey. 7. The parasites - Their methods of survival are often disgusting but the evolutionary genius is admirable. 8. The sanguivores - McAlister responds to the perpetual question, exactly why do we have blood-sucking disease-spreading mosquitos? 9. The coprophages - The champions of dung, detritus and other unpleasant things. 10. The necrophages - The body eaters without which we would be in a most disagreeable situation. \n In clear language, McAlister explains Diptera taxonomy and forensic entomology, and describes the potential of flies to transform their relationship with humans from one of disease vector to partner in environmental preservation. She has a wonderful knack for storytelling, deftly transforming what could be dry descriptions of biology, reproduction and morphology into entertainment. She takes readers to piles of poo in Ethiopia by way of underground caves, latrines and backyard gardens, and opens the drawers at the Natural History Museum to rhapsodize over her favorite flies. \n The Secret Life of Flies is full of stories and tongue-in-check descriptions, but the science is rigorous, authoritative and will be enjoyed by dipterists, lepidopterists, insect enthusiasts, naturalists, and general readers.

'A short, rich book by turns informative and humorous... a hymn of praise to her favourite creatures and a gleeful attempt to give readers the willies.' The New York Times 'After reading her book it is obvious: flies rock.' The Spectator Enter a hidden world of snail killers, silly names and crazy sex in The Secret Life of Flies. Entomolologist Erica McAlister dispels many common misconceptions and reveals how truly amazing, exotic and important these creatures really are. From hungry herbivores and precocious pollinators to robberflies, danceflies and the much maligned mosquito, McAlister describes the different types of fly, their unique and often unusual characteristics, and the unpredictable nature of their daily life. She travels from the drawers of wonder at the Natural History Museum, to piles of poo in Ethiopia, via underground caves, smelly latrines and the English country garden. She discovers flies without wings, rotating genitalia and the terrible hairy fly, while pausing along the way to consider today s key issues of conservation, taxonomy, forensic entomology and climate change. 'Pure delight. McAlister tells fly stories with such affection and familiarity that it seems as if she is sharing secrets about her own raucous extended family full of bizarre, outrageous, and sometimes slightly evil characters.' American Entomologist

Discusses what makes a praying mantis similar to and different from other insects and reveals details about mantis bodies, both inside and out.

Ants are everywhere. They creep, they crawl, they climb, and they fall. But they get up and they keep on working. Ants come in all different shapes, different sizes, and different colors. And they do a lot of different jobs. These hard-working little creatures thrive wherever they go, making whatever adaptations necessary in their ever-changing world.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Not mighty in size, but mighty in resourcefulness and industry, the ant has crawled the earth since prehistoric times. It has dwelt in rainforest tree trunks and acorns of oak trees, beneath logs, and under sidewalks. It has protected forests by capturing insects, cleared weeds away from acacia trees, and by growing gardens has released important nutrients into the soil. Seed lifters, dirt diggers, social beings, ants have the most advanced brain of all insects! So watch where you step, especially on a warm day: a small but mighty ant may be underfoot.

Ten thousand types of ants march on our Earth. All About Ants profiles the queens, the drones, and the worker ants that make up this crawling army.

Ants: Amazing Facts & Pictures for Children on These Amazing Creatures. Ants have been around for millions of years, and are possibly even older than dinosaurs. They are among the most successful creatures on earth, having survived for a very long time. They can adapt to various environments. They can be found in almost every corner of the world, except the freezing regions of the Antarctic. They live under the soil, under rocks, stones, twigs and leaf litter. They can build simple nests while some can build massive “Super colonies” that can extend to several miles. These may be tiny creatures but they are as amazing as the larger creatures on Earth. Most people treat ants as pests. They are annoying during picnics, stealing food and biting people everywhere. Some build their colonies inside the house and crawl all over everything. Some ants live within the floorboards and walls, which can lead to the degradation of the house structure. Some can even live inside electrical and electronic equipment, damaging them beyond repair. There are so many other things about these wonderful, tiny creatures. Get to learn more about them like:•How do ants live•Where do ants build their homes•What do they eat•What is in a colonyThis book will also help you to learn more about a few notable ant species like the Argentine ants, red fire ants, crazy ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants and carpenter ants. You will learn how they look like, where they live and what they eat. You will also learn a few more amazing facts about their way of life in the colony and how they behave.This book will surely help you to understand and appreciate ants more. They are not pests. They are important living things. They may be tiny but they have a big attitude. There are lots to learn about ants and you will learn everything there is to know about them in this book.

THE all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! A sturdy and beautiful book to give as a gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!Featuring interactive die-cut pages, this board book edition is the perfect size for little hands and great for teaching counting and days of the week."The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of the book—and right into your child's heart..."—Mother's Manual"Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative..."—The New York Times Book Review

From Eric Carle, New York Times bestselling author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and From Head to Toe, comes the classic story of one very grouchy ladybug. Eric Carle's bright artwork and signature style will charm both ardent fans and new readers alike. This board book features sturdy pages and is the perfect size for little hands.As children follow the Grouchy Ladybug on her journey, they will learn the important concepts of time, size, and shape, as well as the benefits of friendship and good manners.For generations, The Grouchy Ladybug has delighted readers of all ages with the story of a bad-tempered bug who won't say "please" or "thank you," won't share, and thinks she is bigger and better than anyone else. Readers will love how this testy ladybug introduces them to many new animals and learns that maybe being grouchy isn’t always the best option.

This padded box set of Eric Carle's classic tales includes full-length mini editions of Rooster's Off to See the World, Papa Please Get Me the Moon, Pancakes Pancakes, and A House for Hermit Crab. Each mini-book slips into a sleeve bound into a padded cover featuring Carle's signature colors and patterns. The set ties together with two different brightly colored satin ribbons adding a whimsical touch to this sweet collection of stories. This perfectly proportioned portable box set will be an essential addition to the libraries of Eric Carle fans, young and old!

A VERY classic from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it's looking for--a surprise sure to bring smiles to anyone who turn the final page!Lushly illustrated with Eric Carle's trademark vibrant collage art, soothingly told with a gentle read-aloud rhythm, and complete with a surprise sure to "light up" children's faces, The Very Lonely Firefly will fast become a storytime favorite. Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table--and watch those fireflies glow!

A VERY classic from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!One day a tiny cricket is born and meets a big cricket who chirps his welcome. The tiny cricket tries to respond, but there is no sound. The quiet cricket then makes his way into the world, meeting one insect after another, each of whom greets the little cricket with a cheery hello--the hum of a bee, the whirr of a dragonfly, the whisper of a praying mantis. The cricket rubs his wings together each time, but nothing happens, not a sound. Until the day he meets another cricket, a female, and something different happens . . .As children turn the page on this wonderful moment, they are greeted with a surprise--an actual chirp!Full of Eric Carle's gorgeous and lush collage art, a gentle rhythmic text for read-alouds, and a wonder-inducing surprise at the end, The Very Quiet Cricket remains an all-time favorite from one of the true masters of picture-book making. Batteries are replaceable. Please use two 1.5 volt L1131 button cell batteries.