Stink Bugs, Stick Insects, and Stag Beetles: And 18 More of the Strangest Insects on Earth

by Sally Kneidel

Overview

Why does a Madagascan giant hissing cockroach hiss?
How do bombardier beetles spray chemicals that are the temperatureof boiling water?
Why do leaf-cutter ants carry bits of green leaves over theirheads?

Nothing is more exciting than getting an up-close look at theamazing lives of unusual insects. In this wonderfully detailedguide, written by the author of the kids' perennial favorites PetBugs and More Pet Bugs, you can find the answers to everything youever wanted to know about the behavior of the weirdest bugs on ourplanet. From burying beetles and back swimmers to robber flies andMadagascan giant hissing cockroaches, Stinkbugs, Stick Insects, andStag Beetles digs deep into the creepy, crawly world of thesestrange and tiny creatures. You'll learn what each bug looks like,where to find it, and how its odd habits help it to survive. Withlots of illustrations and observing activities, Stinkbugs, StickInsects, and Stag Beetles will show you just how incredible thestrangest bugs in the world can be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471357124
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/14/2000
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.05(w) x 10.08(h) x 0.35(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

SALLY KNEIDEL, a former science teacher with a Ph.D. in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has stalked bugs from the mountains of Switzerland to the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica. She is the author of eight science books, including Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method and Wiley s bestselling Pet Bugs and More Pet Bugs.

Table of Contents

STRANGE INSECTS YOU CAN PROBABLY FIND.

Monarch Butterflies.

Ants and Aphids.

Periodical Cicadas.

Stink Bugs.

Caddisfly Larvae.

Burying Beetles.

Backswimmers.

STRANGE INSECTS YOU MIGHT FIND.

Hover Flies.

Stick Insects.

Stag Beetles.

Assassin Bugs.

Dung Beetles.

Robber Flies.

Giant Water Bugs.

STRANGE INSECTS YOU PROBABLY WON'T FIND.

Leafcutter Ants.

Madagascan Giant Hissing Roaches.

Bot Flies.

Army Ants.

Bombardier Beetles.

Honey Ants.

Tsetse Flies.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5-8-An introduction to 21 insects that have unusual habits, all but three of which can be found somewhere in this country. The text briefly describes each creature's physical characteristics, and then gives a detailed description of its behavior, explaining how this particular adaptation helps the species survive. A few simple observational activities are included, some of which involve capturing and housing the insect temporarily. Some chapters also introduce related topics, such as symbiosis, predator swamping, chemical defenses, pollination, and mimicry. Pen-and-ink line drawings of individual specimens are adequately rendered; however, illustrations of multiple insects serve as little more than decorations as it is difficult to distinguish the bugs from the background. An appendix lists two biological supply companies and 11 insect zoos. Although this title is clearly written, well organized, and contains some information not offered in other introductions, it is marred by anthropomorphism. For instance, a sentence in the chapter on assassin bugs refers to the insect as a "murderer," and its prey as a "victim." In the chapter on stinkbugs, the female is described as "one tough mom," and her offspring as "children." These passages do not jibe with the scientific tone employed in the rest of the book. Ellen Doris's Entomology (Thames & Hudson, 1993; o.p.) and Laurence Mound's Insect (DK, 2000) cover many of the same insects, albeit in less detail, and have a consistently scientific approach and excellent color photographs.-Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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